A visit with St Nick

 These pictures were all taken with Savannah's little Nikon, so pardon the blurry photos.  The Monday before Christmas, the kids reminded us that we still hadn't gone to visit Santa, so we loaded everyone up and went to the Riverwoods to see the Man in Red.  Waverly was brave this year and went to see him.  She asked for a Barbie Dream House (after hearing about her cousin Aislynn getting one).

 Keaton wanted a remote control helicopter or plane.

 Boston just wanted to get down.

 Brighton wanted a remote control helicopter.  Again.  While there, he asked Santa if he sent some of his helpers to our house to deliver presents early.  Santa was really smooth and answered Brighton's question without missing a beat.

 Irelynd wants world peace for Christmas.  Just kidding.  I don't remember what she asked for.

Our cute brood.  Savannah declined a visit.  So sad when they outgrow the magic!

Echoes of Christmas

 Before Christmas we went to Liberty Park in Salt Lake to a live, multi-denominational nativity.  It was a SUPER cold night, but we enjoyed the singing, spirit, and just being with great friends.  After the show, we were stopped by a Channel 5 news crew, who interviewed Scott and I and our kids about the show.  We anxiously turned on the news the next night, looking for one of us to make it on the story, but none of us did.  We laughed about it, especially since Scott texted his family about it beforehand.  I guess my 15 minutes of fame is still in my future!

Christmas Day 2013

 With Scott's layoff in September, Christmas was bringing a little stress this year.  But we were extremely blessed and 6 bags of gifts showed up on our doorstep from some secret Santas.  We are so grateful for others that give so selflessly.  When the kids saw Santa a few days before Christmas, Brighton asked him if he sent his helpers to our house.  Always thinking, that one.

 Everyone opened their stockings and waited patiently for the tree.  We are mean and always do stockings, breakfast, tree.  That way it doesn't go so fast.  Waverly loves her new Sofia pj's from Grandma Henry.

 This is Brighton's new camera face lately.

 Everyone's choice of breakfast cereals.

 I realized I never got a picture of our "tree" this year.  Funny story; Scott and I had been talking about the money wasted on buying a tree, and lamenting the use of precious cash spent on a tree.  His business partner is in the same predicament (they are working together at CellSaver, but have yet to see the profits).  His partner did a little pruning in his backyard, and voila!  We now had a tree/big bush to decorate for free!  Scott had to assure me he shook the spiders out (and there were many), and we had our first full tree this year.  It sure smelled good, and was a cinch to put lights on, as it was too thick to wrap; I just pushed them in.  Boston kept rearranging the decorations though on the lower branches, so it wasn't exactly a work of art, but it was definitely full.  We were amazed at how even on a very lean year, the kids never felt a pinch, thanks to our secret Santas, and generous grandparents.

 Boston really enjoyed his leftover sugar cookie for breakfast that one of his brothers gave him.

 Babies are so fun when they are trying to figure things out!  We loved watching him try to get the presents out of his stocking.

 I finally got on the ball and made Boston a stocking this year, though I wished I could update them all to lime and chevron stripes and polka dots.

 Waiting patiently to unwrap the tree. 

 Boston really loves to give Keaton spontaneous hugs.  He did this one on his own accord.

 The boys got these matching remote control cars again this year.  Unfortuneately, they didn't last any longer than before.  Maybe less than a week.  Cheap plastic toys!

 Irelynd loved her outfit from Santa's helpers.

 Waverly got as excited about her clothes as she did any toys. 

 Lottie from Grandma L

 Brighton is always grateful for his gifts and is quick to show it.

 Boston got a driving toy.  He couldn't figure out the unwrap process, so his brothers were kind to step in and help.

In the afternoon, we went to Grandma Henry's for dinner.  The rest of the day was uneventful but peaceful (as peaceful as could be with 6 rambunctious kids), other than Brighton throwing up at dinner when we made him eat Brussel sprouts.  It was a good day.

Christmas Eve 2013

 We did our usual Christmas Eve traditions this year.  We had a family breakfast, read our new book, and then did our sibling gift exchange.  I love to see how excited everyone gets with their gifts.  They could be from the Dollar Store (they often are), and the smiles and hugs that result are huge.

 Brighton got Keaton fart putty.  Perfect for little boys amused by bodily noises.

 I don't remember what Irelynd gave Brighton, but he was very enthused by it.  Again. 

 We gave him this transformer costume for his birthday that we found at Tabitha's Way for $1.50.  It so doesn't fit, but he wears it anyway.  Had to get a picture of the butt shot!  Time to sew up a few seams!

 Waverly loved her Minnie Mouse headband from Savannah.

 The twins made Scott and I each a snowman ornament in a snowman bag.

 After opening presents, the kids hung out playing games and painting their toes.

 Savannah gave herself Santa toes.

 We made and decorated sugar cookies for the first time in forever.

 Then we went to Grandma and Grandpa Henry's for Christmas Eve.  We are quite numerous now, and have outgrown their house.  We ate dinner, played our homemade gift game, and then opened presents in shifts.  They spoiled us again.  We were really excited to get Pass of all Passes this year.  Ours expire in March, and we couldn't renew them this year with Scott's layoff, so we are excited to have them again for the summer, plus we can go with cousins this year!

Grandma read this cute story about an elf, and everyone had to find their elves with their name on it.  Waverly loved hers, and slept with it for the next couple of weeks.

 We are obsessed with tents lately.  Scott made this tent for the 3 little ones to sleep under in the boys' room.  Waverly slept upstairs with her brothers.

 Boston loves Keaton.  He mistook him for a horse.  We had a fun night with family and are excited for Christmas morning!

The President's Tree

 The Presidential tree came through our neck of the woods on its way from its birthplace in WA state to Washington DC.  They stopped in Spanish Fork for one night and invited the public to come see it.  Never having had this experience before, I naively thought we'd get to view the actual tree set up.  So I was disappointed to get to the city park, and see just the semi hauling it, with the tree under a big tarp and inside the trailer.  Of course, I hadn't actually thought through the process it would take to set up a tree that large at every stop along the way.  So we were content to just sign our name on the tarp with everyone else and feel like we were a part of minor history. 

 The tarp was pretty full with names already, (plus plenty of this sentiment below.  I agreed but didn't let my kids write anything this disrespectful.  It obviously didn't stop me from taking a picture of it though),

 so everyone had to sit on someone's shoulders to write anything.  Savannah is boosted up on McKell's back.

 It was pretty cold outside, so we ended our FHE night with hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows and Christmas rice crispy bars from Grandma LeBaron.  YUM!