Christmas(es) This Year

Christmas this year was simple, partly because we were traveling and didn't want to have to haul a bunch of stuff, and partly because we just wanted to keep Christmas simple.

Each of the kids got one big present that they opened before we went to Idaho.

Jon made this awesome rock dig for Matthew. It is packed full of gemstones, dinosaurs, and other goodies. All the kids LOVE it. 

Emma got a new Razor scooter with pink light up wheels. Little girl heaven.  :)

And Ellie didn't actually get a present of her own because she's just not old enough to know the difference or care but she opened the easel that was for all of the kids. They were all thrilled with it.

Ellie, Matthew, and I got to set up my parents Christmas decorations this year. With all of the wedding craziness they just never got around to it. So a week before Christmas we pulled a few basic things out and decorated the tree. And yes, the tree is definitely leaning...haha...

Goodies from Santa- a helmet for Emma, Lego Ninjagos for Matthew, an Elmo stuffed animal for Ellie, and Ticket to Ride for me and Jon.

Ellie is slightly obsessed with Elmo right now...she was so excited to see this little guy. I just wish we had been able to find a bigger one...we didn't realize what an impossible task that actually is!

Matthew is slightly obsessed with Ninjagos so he was completely surprised and thrilled to see this.

We got several games this year- Feast and Famine, Headbanz, and Trouble. The kids also got a few new books, and a couple movies. Really simple...just the way we wanted. Jon spoiled me with several new kitchen gadgets I had been wanting, in addition to putting all of my internet-printed recipes into a nice recipe binder. He ALSO completely surprised me by painting the trim in our room, which was no small job. Whoever painted last painted the trim the same color as the walls and it's been driving me crazy the whole 3 years that we've lived here. It looks really great now!

We spent the rest of Christmas relaxing, playing, and later packing to go to Island Park the next day.

This last weekend (yes, almost 3 weeks after Christmas!) we finally had our Christmas with the Farrells. They set up a little tree and everything. Super cute!

The kids got lots of fun stuff...a little piano for Ellie, a stomp rocket for Buddy, an alarm clock for Emma, some coloring pages, card games, bubbles. And of course, they got some not fun presents too...pajamas.  :)  We also got movie tickets, and some books, which we're excited about.

Jon's gift from his brother...bacon soda...haha...

 It tasted this good...

If you ever need a good gag gift, this might just be the perfect thing. 

All in all, it was a great Christmas. I am especially grateful to have been able to spend the holidays with family...with my family, with Jon's family, and with our own little family.

Just a couple random thoughts...Jon and I felt bad that Matthew got so many fun gifts and Emma ended up with boring things....a scooter, helmet, and alarm clock. While she loved her gifts, she was pretty jealous of Matthew's Ninjagos, rock dig, and stomp rocket. She was a good sport about it though. And when we sat back and thought about it, those were the things she asked for. She is just a practical girl, like her mom.  :) 

We're continuing our unbroken streak of the kids sleeping in on Christmas morning. Hopefully I don't jinx myself saying this, but so far our kids have ended up sleeping in every Christmas. Sure is nice for us!