Uncle Chris gave us a giant Monkey for his little Nunky.
Aiden's Christmas Haul.
Christmas Eve. So tired.
Aunt Jodi.
It looks like he is evil. But he loves his books!!
My beautiful kid Christmas Day.
Hard to see, but this ornament has a picture of my mother in it. This on Jodi's tree, but all the kids have this ornament to remember her.
Rachel and her favorite Christmas toy.
Aiden in his Christmas jammies. Notice the feet - little reindeer on the toes.
It is hard to tell, but he was asleep playing with his toes. In his sleep. So funny.
"Santa" wrapped all Aiden's presents in sparkly blue paper this year because Aiden loves shiny things and Aiden loves blue, so combine the two of them and it is heaven. His coordination is getting better and he can grab something and hold on tight. This includes sparkly wrapping paper.
Aiden, Uncle Chris, and I went to Goodwins this year for Christmas. Jodi and Dustin are such gracious, thoughtful people. We went up Christmas Eve and had a wonderful dinner of turkey, ham, potatoes, green beans, rolls, and tons of desserts. Then, Jodi and Dustin had arranged for us to go to the old Garland Tabernacle so Chris could play the old pipe organ. It was spectacular. It is the most amazing old building with authentic wood working and a balcony. So cool. Then we went caroling.
The little girls were so excited for Santa, but they were surprisingly great at going to sleep. But the next morning, Uncle Chris and Mom (Becki) woke up around 6:00am to get ready for the kids. Getting dressed, brushing teeth. But none of the kids woke up until about 7:30. Lovely. And they opened presents.
My family is too good to me and to Aiden. Aiden got so many fun gifts - it took 2 boxes to get it all home. Everything from onsies to toys to binkies. But his favorite gift was from Aunt Jodi. It is a play set with farm animal buttons. The whole thing lights up and blinks and plays looooong songs. Aiden loves it. Mom loves it. It is so fun.
Mom got the best gifts ever - Uncle Chris gave me a new KitchenAid mixer. (YAYYYY!!) and a new IPod (mine old was beyond broken). Jodi and Dustin gave me the coolest food storage (including baby food... yay!) and a fun cooking with kids basket that included recipes, a book, spaghetti sauce, gingerbread cookie shaped noodles, a chef hat and an apron with turtles on it for Aiden. I loved it. They are so thoughtful.
After presents, we enjoyed a magnificent breakfast of blueberry french toast, hashbrowns, bread, cocoa, and more yummy things than we could possibly eat. Then we played games. And talked. And played games. And talked more. Uncle Chris was more than happy to play World of Warcraft with Dustin and Ethan.
About 7pm, we had to say goodbye. It was so sad, but we had to pick up Roman from the Smedley house. I missed my little puppy.
When we got to Smedleys, more fun presents and stories. Aiden got onsies, clothes, clothes, clothes and more toys. Mom got a digital picture frame (YAY!) and a snuggie thing for Aiden's car seat.
My family is so wonderful. I thought a lot of my mother on Christmas Day and now I understand her fanaticism about the day. Being a mother makes it so much fun. I also thought so much of Mary (mother of Christ) and how on this day we celebrate his birth. As a mother of a boy, I am in awe that a woman would have such a wonderful miraculous blessing as a baby knowing that he would be killed and sacrificed for all mankind. And what a burden to carry. I have thought of my Savior this day as well. For his life, for his death, and for his glory that gives me the opportunity to spend the eternities with my dear mother, my family, and my son. To me, Christmas is a holiday of hope. Eternal hope and wonder.
Bridger and Aiden. And the blue, red, train blanket. And Cousin Mike looking stoned...
