Christmas 2012

Christmas was WONDERFUL last year.  It was the first one in our own house.  I absolutely loved it.  

On Christmas Eve, (which for some reason I don't have pictures of), we went to my Grandma's for dinner and then headed over to the Physical Rehab place where my Grandpa was staying to receive treatment from his recent back surgery.  We all sat in a little dining room and exchanged gifts and then did the pipe bells.  I love the pipe bells, they're a family tradition and it sounds so pretty *cough, when people pay attention, cough* ;)  We all headed home around 8 or so to make it to bed so Santa could come.  However, not before my family's newly tradition of gas station drinks! :D  

We also had a very special surprise that night that was so generous and unexpected.  We love people's kindness and generocity during the holidays!  

Christmas morning we woke up and came down to a BEAUTIFUL display of gifts. Santa was VERY nice to us this year. 

 Brookie and her "loot".  She got all sorts of dress-ups and Barbie accessories. 

 Santa was quite the bargain shopper this year too!  Everything was on sale, or secondhanded.  It made for a VERY budget friendly year (being house-poor and all)! :D

 I got this horse from a "sister exchange" at one of our RS activities.  It's Tanner's FAVORITE toy.  He rides this thing like there's no tomorrow.  He's even gone head over heels for it, quite literally! :D

 Another bargain, the epic slide... Another love of the kids now.

 I don't know if Sophie was trying to hide from all the excitement or just wanting to lay in the sun.

 Although, she wasn't exempt from Christmas.  She got a really big bone from Santa.  To which right after she got it, she went and "buried" it in the pillows. 

 I made yummy red velvet cake pops with crushed peppermint candy canes on top for family and neighbors. 

 After Mom took a 4 hour nap, which in inadvertently led to sleeping through church. (Whoops!)  :/  We went to my parents house for dinner and more presents!  Boy did they ever spoil us some more!!! 

Tanner getting the hang of opening presents now! 

 Dan's "Vader" t-shirt!

 Tanner's new ride along dump truck.

 Of course, that was mixed in with the horse that we had to bring to show the family his "sweet moves". 

 I also made some matching PJ pants for my sister and I.  We like to be different... and non-matching.  It turned out way fun, but the pants weren't meant to be 2 different fabrics on each pant... it just ended up working out well that way!  :D Yeah for learning to sew!

 Brooke's big gift was her very own bike.  She LOVED it and was so excited.  Although, couldn't really ride it around the house.  So my brother, the creative thinker he is, put duck tape rolls under the training wheels so it turned into a stationary bike.  SHE LOVED IT!   Although, now it being almost May.  She is finally riding it outside and is CONSTANTLY asking if she can go out and ride her bike. 

We hope your Christmas was relaxing too!