Christmas

I did not sleep at all on Christmas Eve. I never do! I was so excited to see my kids faces when they saw their presents. We were all awake by 7:00 and started opening right after. 

I realized as I was uploading these pictures that I didn't get pictures of any one else other than my kids!  I promise to get pictures of Dustin and I as well next year.

Kate has asked for a Princess Scooter for months!  She was sooooo excited when she saw that Santa had brought it for her!  Santa also brought Kate a Merida bow and arrow toy, a Doc McStuffins, some movies, candy and books.  Max got  a Kermit the Frog, a toy tool station, movies, books and some Toy Story Wheelie cars.

The loot:

Kate- (from us) an Animator Rapunzel Doll, a doctor jacket and play doctor kit, a Merida doll, a Cinderella dress, Disney fairy figurines, and I made her 3 dresses.  A Princess Sofia dress, a Minnie Mouse dress, and a Jessie Dress.  Grandma and Grandpa bought her a little people princess castle with the little princesses and a dress.  Lacie bought her a super cute necklace with her initial on it.  Jaylee gave her a homemade doll that her mom (Beth) had made.  She calls it her Loopsy doll!  Max bought her a My Little Pony.

Max- (from us) got a Jake and the Neverland Pirate sword, Pirate Kit, and a little people Pirate ship.  From Layton he got a Little Tikes golf set.  Lacie got him Cars Wheelies and one of those popper vacuum things.  Grandma and Grandpa got him a Little Tikes Firetruck.  Kate got him a Tick Tock Crock flashlight.

I got Dustin a soundbar for our TV and he got me a Fossil purse and a giftcard to the Mac (makeup) store.  We got eachother some of our favorite tv shows on dvd.  I also got a food saver and a really cute sign from Paul and Lisa, and Dustin got a golf club.  We also got some games from Jaron and Bethany.

I had Sherice this year and I got her a pedicure kit and some China Glaze nail polish.  Dustin had Scott and he got him a giant bag of popcorn and Suns tickets.  We also draw names amongst the little kids too.  Kate had Maelee and she gave her a rattle shaped like a purse and a soft ball.  Max had Maddock and he got him (well Dustin did really) Hulk hands and a Hulk mask.

When we had finally gotten through all the presents, (It took a long time with 4 families and 7 kids!) we headed over to my families house in Snowflake!

Grandma got Kate a pink suitcase filled with dress up clothes and accesories.  When Kate saw what it was she exclaimed, "It's just what I wanted!" Then my mom said, "I've been waiting 20 years for someone to say that!"  haha.  It was funny.

Max got a little people plane.  So cute!

Jennifer also got Kate some play jewlery and Max a football.  Jared made both the kids blankets.  Jen also painted me a painting, and Dustin got a chipotle gift card from my dad.  I got some sewing stuff and fabric from my mom, and Dustin got $100 gift card. 

I had Alex and I got him some Nike shirts.  Dustin had my mom and he gave her a book with our kids pictures in it.

It was a fabulous Christmas!  I don't think we could have asked for anything more!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was amazing as well.  We made cookies for Santa, had our traditional Mexican feast, and read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  We also had the kids do a live nativity!

Christmas Vacation (part 2)

That Sunday we hung out at my parents house in the morning, went to church with them in the afternoon, and then headed over to pinetop late that afternoon.

The kids had fun doing some Nativity sticker sheets, we all gathered around to read Thomas S Monson's book of The Christmas train, and we sang some Christmas songs. 

After the kids were in bed it was time for the adults to have their annual Bunco/White Elephant game.  This is a tradition we all look forward to every year!  Getting 7 children to bed in the same house is not easy so this particular game of Bunco was very interrupted and lasted forever!  haha.  This year Dustin and I walked away with some Bath and Body Works lotion and some fluffy elf slippers.

Christmas Vacation

And so begins the Christmas posts! This year was an amazing Christmas! We loved every bit of it. We went up the Friday before Christmas and stayed until the Thursday after.  Our first stop was my parents house in Snowflake. Not too many pictures from here, I realized once we arrived that I had forgotten to charge my camera battery before I left, so I had to conserve so I had battery life for the rest of the week.

These pictures I just love though. Grandpa Foree just loves playing with his grandkids. Here they are gazing at the clouds and imagining what pictures they make.

Once Max realized that there was a basketball hoop there was no tearing him away from it. He kept yelling "ba-ball! ba-ball!" and we played out there forever. He's so much like his daddy already!

Why my kids are awesome

 Max
-loves basketball, just like his daddy
-throws everything
-everything is a sword
-loves to make messes

Kate:
-loves to dress up
-changes her outfit at least 3 times a day
-can quote The Grinch

In Memory Of

I'm deeply saddened by the tragedy occurred yesterday. Every time I think of those mothers and fathers that lost their babies yesterday I burst into tears. I can't imagine what they are going through right now. What were their last words to them? Are their presents still under the Christmas tree? Who would ever expect that when you sent your child to school that morning, that they wouldn't return? I don't understand why this happened or the evil that could commit such a crime against innocent children, but I do know one thing.   They are home with their Heavenly Father.  My prayers are with each of those families, and I am mourning with them. 

Dear children,

I want you to know just how much I love you.

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for you.

You are my whole world.

I just want to hold you tight and never let you go.

I will do the best I can to protect you from the evils of this world.

I can't imagine my life without you in it. 

I am the happiest I've ever been in my life, and it's because I get to be a mother to you two.

In memory of those that lost their lives yesterday, I'm holding you tighter.  I'm not taking you for granted.  I'm appreciating every moment- even the rough ones.  I'm smothering you with kisses, hugs and cookies.

The best thing I ever did with my life was bring you into it.  I hope you know how much I love you.

-Mom

Email from Santa!

Have you guys heard of the Portable North Pole?  It's awesome.  It's a site that creates a video email from Santa for your little girl or boy.  They ask you really specific questions about your child and those details are incorporated into the video.  It's really really well done and best of all it's free!  There are some options to upgrade your video, but really the free version is plenty!

Here is a link to Kate's: http://www.portablenorthpole.com/watch/mU_yVlPHOgF6ghPcyvaqfYg

She's been asking to watch it every day!  She loves that Santa knows so much about her and that he is getting her present ready!

I made one for Max today and he loved it too!  What are some other cool things you guys have found to do for Christmas?

Sometimes all you need is a box...

POLAR EXPRESS!

Last Saturday we had the amazing opportunity to take a ride on the Polar Express!

Earlier in the week Jeff (our elf on the shelf) had brought us the book and the movie of the Polar Express. I wanted to make sure my kids were prepared! Kate loved the book and the movie and kept asking if this train was real and that she wanted to ride it.

Saturday morning Jeff brought the kids new pajamas with a note that said "Put these on we are going somewhere special". I really wanted to keep the whole trip a surprise, but Kate guessed where we were going right away. Kate immediately said, "Are we going on the Polar Express?!?" I said I didn't know where we were going, but she already had it figured out. 

The Polar Express was amazing.  We started off by just walking around the train station, coloring and visiting Mrs. Claus, and taking pictures.  Before we knew it it was time to board!

The train was awesome.  It's the old Grand Canyon railway train and it's been around since the 1920s. The conductor came and punched our tickets, and the chefs served us hot chocolate and cookies made by Mrs. Claus.  They also had a reading of the book.

Max stuffed his mouth so full he couldn't even chew his cookie!

It took us awhile to make the 7,000 mile journey to the North Pole but we finally made it!  Santa was outside waving to us!

After we had passed the North Pole, it was time to head back home.  But we got a special surprise!  Santa was ON THE TRAIN!

He gave every kid a silver bell.  Just like in the story.

It was completely magical and so much fun for the kids.  Something we will definitely do again!