Merry Christmas 2013!

Boy did we have a Merry Christmas this year! We were lucky enough to be surrounded by family, which by definition, I think, is Merry! I can't believe it is over, where was the time leading up to the holidays and where did the time disappear after them? How can we possibly be to the time of starting to plan for new year's resolutions?! I am not ready!
Oh well, I guess I still have a couple days to figure those out, until then I will just reminisce on our holiday memories here...
It started off with a bang!! Jared finally moved to Connecticut. I know 3 weeks is not a very long time, but it was too long for me to have the kids by myself. I missed my sweetheart. We had been talking for months that we needed to use our free night stay (we earned last year from our trip to Washington) before it expired in January. We just never could find a right time for it. Luckily the sweet Mr. worked out with my sister in law to take our kids for the night his first night home (the first night of the holidays!). So we got to be alone, I got some much needed sleep, and my favorite part...the free breakfast buffet! I was so thrilled when I saw it was a free buffet, Jared leaned over to me and said, I made sure when I chose the place that they had a free breakfast buffet! He seriously knows me too well, am I the only one that loves a free breakfast buffet (although you pay for it with your hotel charge, because it is usually a little more expensive to include it)?! I just love that I don't have to have any guilt about eating as much as I want...and with this buffet I did just that! It was the best breakfast buffet I have seen in a VERY long time!! Fresh squeezed OJ, homemade vanilla bean yogurt with homemade granola and fresh fruit, freshly warm soft pastries, yummy chewy thick bacon, homemade cream cheese with garden tomatoes, seriously....my mouth is drooling just thinking about it! I decided I want to go here for breakfast for my birthday! So so so yummy!

Later that day we decided to finish the day by going into the city...all I can say was that the ride was fun.

Once we got into the city it was a different story! It was crowded, person to person (what did we expect the Saturday before Chrismtas?!). The kids didn't last very long in such a crowded environment in their stroller. And Jared and I were getting worried with all the smoke exposure to Liam. We walked with the family headed to FAO and on the way there Karlee got a great photo that captured NYC during Christmas I think.

Once we got there though, and saw it was getting dark and was so crowded we decided just to head back to the train while the others stayed to shop. On the way the kids decided to scream, so we ended up carrying them both while pushing the stroller (they refused to get back in!). Once we made it down the stairs and to the train and the doors shut we realized we got on the wrong train. It didn't stop at our stop! So we had to wait for the next one at the stop right next to ours. Which in the end we ended up on the same train as the rest of our family even though we left so much earlier. By the time we got home we were all tired, covered in yogurt, urine (in my hurry to get to the train to go to the city I forgot diapers and miss Abigail decided to pee through her diaper), sweat, and city odor. We were ready for bed!! What fun memories we will have of our first time taking the kids into the city.
The next few days went by in a blur, we did shopping together, games, visiting and preparing for Christmas dinner. My kids learned the joy of licking the whisks after making frosting for the Christmas cookies (dessert).

We loved having family here, we stayed up late every night playing our favorite games!

Christmas eve came and went and before I knew it it was time for bed! The kids got their new pajamas and seriously, would not sit still for a picture (this was the best one I got!)

Liam and Cooper had matching pajamas (black Friday shopping) and I have to say they sure did make the cutest reindeer I ever did see!

This was the best group photo we were able to get with all of the kids...they were more excited to play.

Once the kids were able to go to bed Santa (thanks to both grandparents) was able to come and drop off a few things. I have been waiting all year to get the kids a kitchen, they love playing with other sets, so I thought it would only be fitting to be their Christmas gifts.

Christmas morning arrived and Liam woke up early, we tried playing in his room until Abigail woke up...it ended with us waking her up because he wanted to leave his room...

It was funny, we took a video of them walking out of their room and seeing their gift...they walked right by their kitchen and went to see the "fireplace" we had turned on the TV. So funny! But once they realized they had a kitchen they went to work cleaning and playing

But I have to say, after all that, the kids' favorite gifts were their electric toothbrushes. They love walking around the house brushing their teeth. Goes to show you that the simple things in life are what bring joy and happiness to children.

I was lucky to have all the dinner preparations finished early by doing all my prep work the few days leading up to Christmas. It made for one of the best most relaxing Christmases I have had in a long time. I even had time to cuddle with my sweet angel.

Dinnertime finally arrived and we all crowded into our dining area. It was so nice to be able to spend it with family.

The food was not to be missed! It was soooo good, and so much better because I was so relaxed the whole day.

The kids actually loved it too! They didnt get upset or finish eating until all the adults did. It was a great Christmas feast!

Abigail actually finished early...she just sat back and relaxed while the food digested

Before the family left our house we were able to relax and watch an old Christmas movie. My favorite part was watching the kids go cuddle with their sweet daddy (they missed him more than he knows!).

And once the kids were in bed I got to enjoy my Christmas gift (the table that stretches across the tub). Jared knows me so well, this is one of my favorite places in the home. And he thought it would be nice if I had something to set my kindle on while I read or if I wanted to watch a show on my computer it would be safe. He set this up for me, with the sparkling pear juice and all! I couldn't have asked for a better holiday.

Day after Christmas and we were still enjoying ourselves to the holiday treats. The kids especially loved the candy their great grandpa Paul sent to them (I don't know where they got that love of candy from).

I am so grateful for the holidays! For the time to relax and focus on the important things, like spending time with family, counting our blessings and giving thanks for the birth of our Savior. I spent some time counting all the blessings we have received and I was very overwhelmed. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ was born to show us the way back to our Heavenly Father, and that he sacrificed his life for that very reason, I know that he lives and I am ever grateful for his love and watchful care over my little family. I am excited and a bit apprehensive for the new year and what it will have to offer, but I know I will be able to handle anything sent my way as long as I have my family by my side.