Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas. Here are some of the highlights:

We went to my parents for Christmas Eve. The night was filled with a yummy dinner, stories, Santa watching, cookie decorating, talent shows. It was a great time! We gave my dad an electric train for Christmas this year, it was definitely one of the grandkids favorite things. They all took turns controlling it. The kids all told the story of the nativity with this advent calendar.

Grandma and all the kiddos with a complete nativity scene!

Ashlyn decorating Santa cookies.

I was in charge of making the sugar cookies this year and so Ashlyn and I baked them all to take to my parents. After we finished cooking them, we sat down to sample them. After about 2 bites Ashlyn turns to me and says, "Mom, do you like these cookies we made because I don't." OOPS! They were horrible. We accidentally used baking soda instead of baking powder.... 5 dozen sugar cookies and 3 hours down the drain. I was so bummed. We decorated the cookies anyway and just didn't eat them. We were sure Santa wouldn't mind!Christmas morning.

Once he saw the tools, he was captivated! He wouldn't leave the tool bench to open more presents. Santa must have really known what he was doing when he brought this toolbench to Tanner. 2 weeks later it is still a hot toy around here. Brad had some tools out the other day and they went missing. We found them put nicely on Tanner's toolbench... he was just adding to his collection!We had to coax him away from the tools to see what else Santa left for him. Love the grin as he is posing with his play dough! Ashlyn loved all her baby stuff. She was a little puzzled that all she asked for was a binkie and bottle and she got so much more; a carseat, swing, bed and diaper bag. She decided she must have really been on the "nice list" for Santa to throw in all the extras!

Our dancing queen in her fairy dress.

A new bike...

she was pretty excited, but it is always hard to get something you can't use right away.

Christmas morning was not boring around here. They moved so fast from one thing to the next, but they made sure to play with everything!

I loved Tanner's face in this picture. He is such a cute kid!

Reading one of the many books from Grandma and Grandpa Wells.

Ashlyn with her baby all packed up ready to head out to Grandma and Grandpa Gunnells. She is really getting into this baby thing. Today she told her primary teacher she has a baby in her tummy.

Her baby comes everywhere with us now, and she always makes sure she is buckled in. When she has to leave her baby in the car she makes sure to put a blanket on her. She is so cute with her. It is so funny how the mothering instinct seems to come so naturally to little girls, and on the other hand Tanner is all boy with his tools and roughness. We spent Christmas afternoon with the Gunnells and loved all the chaos there too! It was fun to see Todd and Kristine (Brad's brother and wife from California). We don't get a chance to visit with them very much.

Tanner carried his puppy with him all day. We gave him a huge stuffed puppy for Christmas, and we thought he would love it. As soon as he opened it, he threw is aside and ran and grabbed his puppy and kept it under his arm all day. I think he thought we were trying to replace his special puppy. Funny kid!Well that is our Christmas is a nutshell. Kids make Christmas so much fun! I feel so blessed this year, and that goes beyond all these material things. I truly hope we also helped our children understand the Spirit of Christmas.