Christmas Day

December 25, 2009

After a perfect evening and some actual sleep, the big day finally came. Dave wanted to wake up the children, but I thought if they are sleeping, let them sleep. Dave is harder to keep contained than the kids on Christmas. Love it. We called Grandma and Grandpa Brown and they came over to watch the kids. When we went downstairs Grandma Carlson informed us that Brianna crawled into her bed and they shared stories until it was light outside. We forgot to tell Brianna that she could wake us up on Christmas morning. Grandma said that they had fun. I know the kids love to sleep with there grandparents, when they go over to Browns they get to sleep with Grandma and Grandpa. When everyone was awake we opened the big red sack. The kids took turns opening up their gifts. Kameron loved his bubble gum machine, he would have been ok with just that. Brianna and Kyle loved everything. The day before they thought Santa might give them 10 gifts each, I told them that was probably to much. It was fun to listen to them talk and be all excited.
Brianna's Gifts (From us; Bueatiful Dress, Beads, Shake Playdoh shop & My Little Pony : From Carlsons; Roller Racer: From Browns; Playmobile, I-Spy, Magic dot thing, heart necklace, other things: From Santa; Sour Spray, Hannah Montana stage & DVD, My Little Pony hairdo shop, Barbie I-Pod, Levi's, shaving cream, bubble gum machine, Amazing Alyson)

Kyle's Gifts (From us; Sweater, blue car & trailer, burger playdoh set, Thomas trains he found them at the Giraffe toy store and wrapped them, he could not wait to open them: Carlson's; Roller racer: Brown's; Thomas Coal thing, Thomas, I-Spy, Magic Dot thing, other things: Santa; Car's Track, Transformer, Superman & Batman action figure, Alphabet Trains, Shaving Cream, Bubble gum machine, Suit)

Kameron's Gifts (From us; Fisher Price Train, playdoh, sweater, drum: Carlson's; Car with trailer, shirt & pants: Brown's; animals, Geotrack train set, car with horse trailer: Santa; Noah's ark, cars, Bubble gum machine, shaving cream, diapers, action figures, suit)

Melanie & Dave's Gifts (To each other, Dave- Boise state sweater and remote control car, Melanie- Book "Letter's to Emma", Picture of the temple: Carlson's; Pillows yeah Dave is especially excited, Coat, Hat, Socks, Cute shirt with jewlery, baby stuff, eye candy, Sea salt mineral stuff for my hands from Dad, dad built us all a bueatiful wishing well for outside, Wheat Grinder, Children's songbook, hot potato game: Brown's; Picture of Idaho Fall's Temple, camera, Dave is still shopping: Corbett's apron, spatuala, peach pie filling: Phillip's; picture frame with great saying)


We just wanted to post all of our gifts so we could remeber the day we recieved them. We were so blessed and are thankful to everyone. Aunt Fay also spoils everyone in the family each year, she is an amazing woman. After opening gifts we had a delicious breakfast sugar cereal Kyle chose Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Brianna Captain crunch, Hash Browns, Toast, eggs, bacon, bannana bread. We then went down and the adults opened gifts. Mom and Dad took off to Farrah's and we played toys and rested until 2:00. At 2:00 we went to the red house grandma and grandpa's. We opened gift's there, we were so spoiled, then at an awesome dinner ham, twice baked etc. We just enjoyed each other's company. After dinner Dave had the privalege of putting together the playmobile, it only took about an hour. It was quite a complicated little toy. Kameron layed in grandma and grandpa's bed. I went in to check on him to see if he was ok. He was lying right between them and put his hand up and said I'm fine. It made me laugh. So I went to the kitchen and Kyle, Brianna and I played with the Magic dots. It was another perfect day, thanks to everyone.

CHRISTMAS

Thursday December 24, 2009

When I think of 2009 Christmas, I will think of the most perfect Christmas ever. Seriously I don't know if I would change anything, it was so fun. On the days prior to Christmas I was having a few good labor pains, the kids helped me out a lot. They have subsided. The kids were amazing as usual at cleaning etc. So back to Christmas Eve, Dave suprised me and invited my parents to come and spend Christmas with us. Mom is Mrs. Clause, both her and Dave get so excited about Christmas so the energy was high. Christmas Eve has always been a big party for me. So the tradtion continues. In the morning we went to IHOP with Corbetts and Mom and Dad. Yummy, we got a little nervous when half the restraunt did not have their food. However we ended up with a delicious breakfast the kids had face pancakes and pancakes. While we were waiting we had a good laugh though. Some of Dave's pants are getting some holes in them, so I decided I was going to try to fix them. I started and realized that the job will require a sewing machine. We all got ready in the morning and went to breakfast. Dave set down to wait for a table and got a priceless look on his face. I asked him if the back of his pants just ripped he said no and took off to the restroom. When he came out there was a needle in his hand. I guess when I was sewing, I left the needle in. Opps! After breakfast we went bowling. All of us love to bowl. Dad was impressed with Dave's curve ball. Even Kameron bowled, he won all the kids. Kyle and Brianna are great little bowlers.

Our designer girl Brianna was a little worried that I did not have Christmas earrings so mom tried to get some. After bowling we went to the church and got some awesome present's from Grandma Carlson. Roller racers. Corbetts and the us played on them for around an hour how fun. Thanks mom and dad.

Then it was time to rest for an hour. We planned the agenda for the evening during Family Home Evening. Brianna wrote up the agenda and introduced the evening. It started with Kyle and Grandpa making ice cream. Kyle really wanted that for a treat and Grandma made a batch.



After we had candelight papa Murphy's pizza and a salad.

Then downstairs for a game Brianna planned. We danced to the music and would freeze when it turned off. Great game. Even Kameron would freeze. We got jolley ranchers if we won. Next game was shooting Santa and a red table runner with a rubber band gun. Way fun. Back upstairs for a ornament making party. Dave thought this would be a fun memory since mom and dad where there and then we could have a keepsake. It was so fun. We could not get Grandma and Grandpa away from the table. Mike has been rubbing off on dad. He was really artistic and creative. Everyone made great ornaments.

After ornaments we had a dessert bar and watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Starring Dale Jolley. Mom and Farrah put it together this year. Everyone choose a favorite dessert. Dave ( chex mix, christmas punch, and jerky), Kyle (ice cream), Brianna (fudge), Mom and dad (Eclairs, chocolate covered cinnamon bears and Jordan Almonds). By this time the night was moving fast. It was already time to get on jammies and do the nativity. The moment was perfect, we prayed to begin and the spirit was strong. We started by watching Luke 2 and then the Children acted out the story, this year Dave had them knock on the doors to pretend like it was an inn. They did a great job. Afterwords we read the why the wiseman gave each gift and shared testimony and thoughts. Dave shared how much he loves the season and how the spirit is closer during the season with all of the services and how we did the white envelope by giving someone the 12 days of Christmas for someone. Grandpa Carlson shared, and Grandma Carlson shared how Grandpa and her feel in love by the Pink Chrismas tree. You could feel Doug's presence. It was wonderful. We ended the evening with swinging in the red Santa bag, getting a plate of cookies with pizza on it for Santa, since Kyle got a letter from Santa that said Santa loves pizza and getting the reideer some food.

Right as it was time for bed Grandma and Grandpa Brown showed up to be with us. Yeah. They went to Roy's for the evening and we swapped stories. Brianna showed them her bueatiful new dress. She looks amazing in it. They got the kids good and hyper and left. I can't wait to be a grandparent!! It is always great to have them. Then the kids snuggled into bed. Brianns got to sleep with Grandma Carlson and Kyle with Grandpa. They were lucky. Brianna recieved a bell from Santa at mom's house. She tied it to the bag so that when Santa came she would hear him. She did not hear him, but Dave did so we snuck downstairs and woke up the kids. Brianna saw him but Kyle claims he didn't, I think he was a little sleepy. It was so exciting. Santa sang a little of "you better watch out," on his way out the door. After he left. The kids opened their stockings. Grandma said that Brianna's big excited eyes spoke a thousand words. I agree, she was so happy. I still get excited when I think about it. Santa dropped a huge load, we wondered if all of the gifts he brought to our house made Santa's sleigh tip over. Anyways like I said before as my eyes are starting to tear up a little, it was a perfect, magical and spiritual evening. I will be forever grateful for this Christmas. Merry Christmas to all