Christmas Day

Christmas is such a magical holiday, and I'll be so sad when my kids grow out of the excitement of Christmas morning.... the anticipation was nearly killing Sam this year! One thing about getting married is that you united two different sets of holiday traditions and try to mesh them to form your own unique celebration. Christmas morning is one of these things for Shawn and I. I grew up with Santa wrapping EVERY gift, and being able to go down and snoop around before my parents and older siblings finally woke up to open gifts. My younger brother and I used to get up around 3 a.m., go through our stockings, shake some boxes and fall asleep under the Christmas tree waiting... Shawn's gifts from Santa were always open and ready to play with, and he and his siblings waited very patiently until 7:00 am until their parents went down to check and see if Santa was here. So our compromise..... Sam yelled for us as soon as he woke up (scaring Shawn so bad that he nearly fell out of the bed!) Then we escorted (like the FBI) our kids down to see Santa's gifts (half opened, half wrapped)... Shawn filming the entire event like Spielsberg!

It was wonderful though... the kids got exactly what they wanted, and more. We have tried to limit it to 3 gifts from Santa, and then with all the friends, cousin, and grandparent gifts the kids get all their hearts desire. Sam got a crane, a Buzz Light Year Pack, a tank and a cowboy hat and vest (from Jack). Jack got a new Bullseye and Woody, a remote control bus, and a car transporter, and an airport - but he being true to the Jack-O he is, was mostly interested in his box of swedish fish and candy treats. Lyv got her first baby doll, new bows, and a music table.... I think the boys like it more than her. She LOVED the baby doll though, which I thought was adorable, she mostly liked to chew on her arms and legs, but she instantly grabbed it.

Shawn got me the BEST surprise ever.... tickets to Wicked on Broadway!!! I can't wait to use them. I got Shawn a new Brian Regan download, which always a great idea for Shawn. I love listening with him because he laughs so hard... thanks Brian Regan!

We also started a new tradition this year in giving a gift to Jesus. We each thought of something that we could give, wrote it on a piece of paper and put it under the tree. We'll keep these and hopefully be able to look back and see how we did with those gifts.

Sam - help Jack pick up toys

Jack - money (so Jack)

Mom - PATIENCE! I really need an added measure of this.

We had a wonderful morning, followed by a HUGE breakfast with all the trimmings - what my mom calls the Idaho Breakfast, and then played with our toys. I love Christmas morning, being in your pjs until the afternoon and being able to enjoy family. We have been greatly blessed this year, and recognize that all of those blessings come from our Father in Heaven. We are so grateful for the gospel, and for the peace that comes in the plan of salvation. We look forward to a great 2011.