The Holiday Events

Christmas EVE!

We decided to have our normal Christmas Brunch on Christmas Eve this year.

Breakfast first ~

~ Gifts after.

We continued a few of our favorite Christmas traditions.

My mom loved the Dutch Present. Her aunt & uncle started this tradition when she was younger. She continued it. After she died, Jenn, Josh, & my family open the Dutch Present on Christmas eve. The kids know their PJ's await them in this gift. They love reading the poems about each of them. Jenn does a great job capturing their "likes" & personalities in these poems. Manda started doing the Dutch present with some of her friends in Indiana. And Ashley does it with her kids & step kids. This year we decided to do this with everyone. They loved it. I think my mom would be happy knowing it has become one of OUR kids favorite Christmas traditions.

We also have "Kat Bean Art". Ashley started this the year my mom died. It gives us a chance to reminisce about some of the things Mom loved & share our memories with our children. It has become one of MY favorite parts of Christmas. I miss having her here for the holidays. My mom made Christmas magical ~ even after I became the grown up!!

What am I saying?? Holidays or not ~ I miss my mom.

We went to dinner with the Allens later that night then tucked everyone into their beds.

Santa would be here soon .... Right before Santa came... Hayden came running up the stairs (around 11 pm) to show us what he had been working on.

I told him the Tooth Fairy & Santa can't come the same night.

Luckily he agreed to sell ME his tooth for $2!!

Good Morning Boys!!

Good morning Kenz!!

(she won't be happy I posted this! at least I didn't put it on facebook)

Ready to head upstairs to see what Santa brought!!

Santa decided to fill the stocking & only put ONE present by their stockings this year. He put some gifts under the family room tree & some under the living room tree. He was smart. He knew we would have to stop to go to church. We were able to open our stockings & ONE big gift. Then it was time for Church. We finished the rest of the gifts after church.

Mackay wanted 2 jerseys this year ~ Oregon Ducks & Pitt Panthers

Hayden asked for a "35 Light saber" (a light saber worth $35) & a Capt. America shield.

Kenz only asked for MONEY!!

But Santa pulled off a surprise ~ a Sound System & Microphone.

She was shocked!!

I always tell Kenzie - the best gifts come in the smallest packages.

He is the BEST!!!

Always so thoughtful and Always so Generous!!

I am SO Lucky! I still wonder why he picked me.

As strange as it felt to do Christmas Brunch on Christmas EVE, it did NOT feel strange to go to church on Christmas DAY ~ it is, after all, the day we celebrate Christ birth.

Kenzie sang in the choir & my boys sang a primary song (although Hayden missed the cue to go up - my fault- and was so sad he missed it).

It was nice to slow down & remember the true reason we celebrate Christmas.

The spirit was strong & the music was beautiful.

My kids are growing up & are finally starting to realize what Christmas is really about.

When I went to bed Christmas night, I was happy.

Many of you know Christmas is NOT my favorite holiday. It comes with so much pressure for the mom. Hayden often says that "Santa doesn't bring him what he asks for... Santa doesn't get it right." This year was different. I didn't have any disappointed kids & they didn't argue about stopping & going to church.

We took it slow, reflected on Christmases past, & thought of those we love & miss ~ those in Nevada, Michigan, Colorado, Washington DC, Indiana, & Heaven.

We enjoyed the day & each other.

I hope you all had a MERRY CHRISTMAS & enjoyed your families, friends & the holiday season.