Dustin and Erin Watson

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!

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!