Merry Christmas

Christmas has come and is on its way, very sad.

What a good day.

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve is always a highlight for me. This year we had the missionaries over for dinner.

We watch the Nativity and then have "I Love You's" for the Savior, which is basically an opportunity to bear your testimony. I enjoy the opportunity for Doug and I to express our love for the Savior but also to hear what the girls have to say. This year Leah said, "I just think about Jesus every day and I want to because it makes me happy"

Christmas Eve, new Christmas jammies

I remember my parents at bedtime on Christmas eve, and just had to laugh this year. I felt exactly how their facial expressions look in my memory. Exhausted from the bustle of the Christmas season, knowing that tonight will be a late one, and to top it off the kids can't fall asleep. 

But how can you get upset with the giddiness and excitement of Santa Clause? I went to lie down with Leah to rub her back and she said, "Mom, I feel like crying because I want to fall asleep but I can't and I know Santa will miss our house now." 

 I don't want to forget these magical years that will end quickly, I was so sad when Leah told me all her friends don't believe in Santa, not already!

Leah woke up around 5 am fell back to sleep for about an hour longer, they snuck downstairs to snoop and pretended to be just as surprised as the whole family went back downstairs.

Paige got her silly Lalaloopsy

Leah has been wanting a dog so she got one that can at least bark and walk.

These girls FINALLY got suitcases. Amazing the things they have been begging for.
They couldn't have been happier..."now we can't wait to go on a trip!"

Syd in true form....just love her personality.

 Santa knows Leah and Paige well, they have created some great art work in the last 24 hours, they have spent so much of their time using this great gift.   Such artistic girls.

So glad I captured this moment. We created an "extras" chore list so that they could earn Christmas money. They each carefully picked the perfect present out for each other and were so excited to give it.  Great to see the spirit of giving come to life from earning their own money for the purchase. This is their "Thank You" hug. 

Syd scored with an Elmo backpack (thank you Good will), two of her favorite things in one!