Dustin and Erin Watson

Christmas

When the smell of breakfast had finally awoken everyone, it was time to get the party started! We had a hard time waking Kate up, she's never up that early!

(Almost) Everyone waiting to come down the stairs!

Lately I had discovered that Kate loves Beauty and the Beast. So that was sorta the theme for this Christmas. We got her a Belle doll, dress and shoes. Santa also brought her her first bike! We also got her a stuffed dog from Build-a-Bear, a Blue beanie baby, a Blue's Clue's book, and a my little pony. Grandma Watson gave her a baby doll crib and baby doll, a doll house, and some cute clothes! Aunt Lacie gave her a fisher price car, and Aunt Bethany made stuffed animals for all the kids!

I got Dustin NBA 2K11, and The Expendables. Jaron gave him another Killer Bunnies expansion pack (we now have about 500 cards...awesome), and he and Beth (mainly Beth) made this awesome Killer Bunnies trophy!

I think our games will be getting even more violent with at trophy at stake. We also received a Phoenix Zoo membership and a wagon from Dustin's parents.

Dustin got me a new pair of shoes (he also got Kate some matching ones), 500 days of Summer, the first season of Community, the first season of Glee, and Glee Karaoke Revolution.

After we were done, we hopped in our awesome rental car, and went to my parents house! I love that they live only 30 minutes away! For some reason I don't have any pictures of Christmas with the Foree's. Boo :(. I know I brought my camera, but maybe I was just too tired to get it out? lol. We ate our traditional sugar cake. Mmmmm....it's the best. And my mom had made this awesome hot chocolate. It's basically a hershey bar and half and half. So delicious, but really rich, so watch your portions.

After we feasted we exchanged gifts. I had my mom and I got her a Scentsy warmer and some scents to go with it. Dustin had Alex and he got him The Blind Side and some nerf guns. Jared had Dustin and he got him Inception on blu-ray (awesome!). My pregnancy brain is spacing on what else was exchanged at the moment, but I remember what my brother got me! Andy is probably my biggest supporter of my photography and he bought me....a portable light studio!! I'm totally intimidated by it, but super excited to learn! It will really help my with my newborn shoots, and open up some business for me during those hot summer months. I'm so SO excited!

My mom also made blankets for everyone (I'm cuddling with mine right now), and she gave me the best gift of all. She scrapbooked my wedding!! I had made one a long time ago, but I don't know where it is, and I know it's crappy, and now that I think about it I don't even think it's finished! lol. So I'm so grateful to finally have my wedding pictures documented! She also made Kate a really awesome gift as well. It's a card-table tent! I had one growing up and I LOVED it. I'm so grateful Kate has one now, and she plays in it everyday. I will definitely have to post a picture of it so you can see what I'm talking about.

All in all, it was a FANTASTIC Christmas! It was so fun spending all that time with family. It was also awesome spending some extra days with my brother Andy! Thank you everyone for all the awesome gifts we received! We love you!!

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve with the Watson's. We had our traditional mexican food feast (I'm drooling just thinking about it), read Christmas stories, and.....Santa came!!

He lost a little weight this year.

Kate and Maddock were both so scared of Santa!

Emma was the only brave one. (Jaylee was asleep on the couch)

It wasn't until Santa started handing out presents that Kate decided he was okay.

Then she couldn't get enough of him!

Maddock eventually came around too. But right after this picture was taken, he threw his gift (pajamas) on the ground and cried because it wasn't the right one. He had asked santa for a train, not pajamas. It was hilarious and sad at the same time. His dad explained that Santa would be back later to leave more presents and that maybe he would bring a train then. He was okay after that.

After Santa came we put the kids to bed (and they all stayed asleep!), and all the parents got to work. It was sooo fun playing Santa this year. Dustin and I definitely got carried away with all the presents we got Kate. I couldn't sleep AT ALL this night. I always have a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve, but this year is was 20 times worse. It's the first year we have a little one who understands Christmas. Eventually after a night of tossing and turning, Dustin woke up around 5:00 and we put on a movie to pass the time. Then at around 6:00 I heard Sherice get up, so we decided to get the ball rolling and went downstairs and made breakfast for everyone.

Christmas Card

Well, it's the 22nd, and I still haven't mailed out my Christmas cards. So, either you'll get them really late (more like New Year's cards), or they won't be mailed out at all. At least we got some actually printed this year. That's a step in the right direction. Right? So, here you go... this may be the only card you get :)

Ward Christmas Party

Kate has been loving this Christmas season. She loves looking at Christmas lights, screaming "Pretty!" at every house when we take our drives. She loves our tree, the presents, the music--every day I get more and more excited for next Saturday to get here. She loves anything Santa and says, "Ho ho HO!" anytime she sees him. So, needless to say it really surprised us when she was actually afraid of him at the party!

I know that a lot of kids are afraid of Santa, but this is just opposite of Kate's personality. She's always smiling and waving and saying "Hi!" to everyone when we're out running errands. She always goes to anyone at church, and she's just never been one to be afraid of strangers. (Something that might not be her best trait!!) So for her to be afraid of Santa was really surprising for us.

While we were waiting in line, Dustin tried really hard to get her excited, and she was...until we sat her on his lap. So we quickly got our pictures taken, got our candy cane from Mrs. Claus, and went back to where she really wanted to be: dancing with Daddy.

Our ward Christmas party was so much fun! We had a potluck, with some seriously amazing food! Then some of the members did some skits, and some musical numbers, and we even had Santa dance with a live band!

It was seriously, so fun. Thanks to everyone who put it on! I love this ward!

Oh Christmas Tree

I don't remember seeing my first Christmas tree...

but I wish I did.

Let the countdown begin!!!

Family Pictures

We were needing a picture for a Christmas card this year. So I got out my camera today and I took these myself. I don't think they are too bad for a tripod and a timer. (Note: Blogger always messes up the colors of my pictures. Just know that the originals are better :) )