Christmas in Utah: part 3

Christmas morning!! Santa came, Santa left presents, and children stayed in their beds all night. :) 

At about 7:45 we started getting everyone assembled and ready for the fun. Thomas and Whitney spent the night as well so we could all enjoy the kids in the morning. Surprisingly it was Grandpa Goates who we all waited on by the end. ;) 

 The kiddos were so patient, waiting by age. Aren't they just so cute?!

 Aaaaand... GO!

 Logan was more amazed by his orange in his stocking than by anything else. He asked Santa for a snow globe and Santa left him a cute mini-globe in his stocking. But Logan just wanted his orange!

 Grace got some fun necklaces, including the "Christmas necklace" she asked Santa for.

 We let kids open presents based on age, and then had adults open in between. It was a great time seeing all the excitement and gift-giving in the group! Santa gives our kids in our family just a couple each, and then Ryan and I get to give some as well.

 Grace was super excited about all her new Legos!

Snow Globe #2 was a big hit! 

 Santa left a letter for Grace on the tree, saying that he had one more gift for her that was too large for us to transport home in the car. When she got home to California she could open it. (it was a baby doll cradle!)

 Logan at this age has been the most challenging to buy gifts for. Ryan and I did research for weeks and lots of asking around and searching for just the right toys for him. He really only plays with cars (rarely, these days), or with whatever Grace has, or just whines about not knowing what to play. But figuring out WHAT in the world he would actually like and play with was hard. We finally found the answer though and hoped it would be cool in his eyes... Imaginext city and city heroes set. 

 Jason, Jacey and Elsie came by and we did the sibling gift exchange as well (with those who were there). Then after all the gifts were opened it was time to play with all the new stuff, of course! Logan was more interested in everyone else's things than his own... but we figured once we got home to CA he would like his things too. 

Ben and Amanda's cute gift for my parents: money for their weekly burger and fries date! 

 A blast from the past.

My kids got a marble run this year and it was a huge hit with everyone! So much fun - even for the adults.

 The busy, lego-builders' corner.

Traditional Christmas breakfast: Ham Soufflé, cinnamon rolls, fruit, OJ and hot chocolate. It was soooo good. I ate a lot... 

My Grandma and Grandpa Matheson were able to stop by (even with the snow storm). It was great to see them!

 Grace, Layla and Elsie all did a short talent for them (recited poems or sang a song). And my little family was forced into asked kindly to do our talent again. ;) Haha. It took some bribing but we got the kids to do it. I felt like I had a teenager on my hands with the unhappy little face that joined us throughout the whole performance. Something to look forward to!... ha.

After some playing, some hanging out, more eating, and finally a shower, we went to the Turners' to visit. The Turner family party was the next day, so we had a free evening with no plans. We decided to brave the FREEZING wind and go walk around Temple Square. The weather (and our energy levels) the previous evenings had not allowed us to make it, and we knew it was our last chance. It was actually perfect. Although it was ridiculously cold, there was hardly a crowd at all. It was truly the perfect way to finish off the day we celebrate the Savior's birth. It was magical.

 Taking the kids in to see the Christus and listen to the short recording was so wonderful. My favorite part, and Grace said it was hers as well. I'm so grateful for my Savior and that because of Him we have so much to be thankful for. His life and His example are why we have a forever family. I'm grateful for the foundation He provides so we can build our lives and our home on something SURE, real and true. I love that my children are gaining a love for the Savior as well.

Christmas in Utah: part 2

On wednesday Ryan's parents offered to take the kids sledding. They had such a blast! We heard all about it for days, and especially about Grace's awesome wipe-out story. She was super brave though and wasn't bothered at all by her hurt lip and chin when we picked them up later. :) They were happy to have had some fun sledding time with their cousins, the Bergers, too. 

Ryan and I would have loved to go sledding too, but we were really grateful for a day-date while they went. I think we've only had 3 dates since we moved to California, so it was much-needed! We hit up Cafe Rio (again!) and went to Star Wars episode 7. Thanks Bob and Stacy!

I forgot to mention that Lindsey and Dan and their kids made it into town as well and were staying at my parents house with us. It was so fun having them around, and especially for our kids to play together. They seriously had a blast. Logan loved to just be around the older boys and do (or just watch) whatever they were doing. 

Layla and Grace were so cute playing with my old Barbies, I had to snag a picture of them.

That evening Thomas and Whitney came over for dinner as well so we got some pizzas from the Pie. Yum! 

The girls did some Jamberry nails (I was wrapping presents for awhile but did my nails a couple nights later). Thanks for sharing, Lindsey! They turned out super cute.

And what were the boys doing while we did that? Played Settlers of Catan, of course.

 On thursday (Christmas Eve), we took the kids to see Santa, along with the Montagues.

For lunch, we met up with some of our best friends (the Coons) at Chick-Fil-A. We were all soooo excited to see them!! It was a really great and much-needed visit. Our kids played and ate for 2 hours and we got a bunch of adult-chat-time. Aw, I just love them and miss them. We're so glad they only live in Cedar City and we are able to meet up when we come to town.

 These two made it through their programs almost at the same time. Ryan finished his pediatric residency last summer and Chad graduated PA school a couple weeks before Christmas (he's also doing Pediatrics). 

That evening my family had their Christmas Eve dinner (buffet-style) and party. Although we were missing Jason, Jason, Ben and Amanda!! 

Mmm, all the best stuff. I love this tradition!

 Lindsey hosted the games portion and had us play a plate-drawing game. Hilarious! 

 We then battled Men vs Women with some intense rounds of "Heads Up". It was awesome. Even the kids did a great job!

 Then came the talent-portion of the night. The kids got up and all sang "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".

 We all showcased our lip-syncs... My family did "Winter Hymnal" by Pentatonix. It's super obscure, I know. But my kids already knew the words by heart and it turned out really fun!

 "I was following the..."

 "...all swaddled in their coats... with scarves of red tied 'round their throats..."

 Grace also performed a poem she learned at school about Santa. She was so brave to get up and do that! She can be so shy with things like this and quickly forget her lines, so I was really proud of her. She didn't stumble even once.

 More hilarious lip syncs! 

 The 5 kiddos getting ready for Santa to visit them while they slept.

 Of course we had to leave snacks for him and the reindeer first. One carrot for each reindeer.

 And before the adults went to bed we played some more games.