Christmas!

I decided I'd better blog about our Christmas before the new year hit--nothing like waiting until the last minute. :)  We woke the kids up at about 7am (yes, we had to wake them up--which surprised us since Ian and Morgan are getting older now) and the festivities began.  Santa had left lots of fun things for the kids. Ian got a drawing kit with a how to draw book for beginners.  Morgan got a pink Nintendo DS, Zander got a new scooter (which he was upset about--he didn't get the Paintball gun or the $180.00 he asked Santa for--he changed his mind once the kids went outside to play and he had a scooter to ride with Ian and Morgan on our newly paved road.) Micah got a new track for his Thomas the train set and a new car to go with it, and Eli got a toy car that bounces the marbles in it when it rolls across the floor.

Opening gifts was fun. Eli was hilarious to watch.  He took 3-5 minutes opening his gifts.  He'd rip one piece of wrapping paper off at a time, and he did NOT want any help.  He really likes his new toys he got. These stacking cups are cool because you can hook two pieces together and make them into 5 different sized balls, the top piece is a rattle that can also go inside any of them.  He's been fun to watch play.

I think Micah was my favorite to watch this year.  He had quite the facial expressions when opening his gifts.  John was lucky enough to catch at least 3 of them on film.

Zander had the year of the nerf guns.  I think he ended up with four different guns this year.  He was a happy camper!

Zander also got a Kid's MP3 player.  John loaded it up with some tunes so it was ready to go Christmas morning.  He has been loving it!

Morgan was pretty funny to watch this year as well.  She has all her presents lined up on her blanket.  She made quite the haul!

Ian is getting so big.  I'm glad he is venturing into the land of art and expressing himself creatively.  We got him several drawing pads so that (hopefully) I won't keep finding random scraps of paper with his sketches all over the house.  He also got a new Star Wars Battlefronts game for his DS (he and Morgan are so excited they can link them together and play games against eachother now), and Laser tag to share with Zander.

Christmas morning view of the Living Room--watch where you step! :)

John and I found the kids random Lego pieces on Ebay this year.  We got 4 or 5 lbs. of them and the priority mailbox that came was chuck full!  Each of the four older kids got a gallon size zip-lock baggie full.  They were so excited!  All of them love building with Legos, and now all their tubs are full. :)

This was the gift that Morgan made for John and I. 

What a sweetheart she is!

John and I didn't do much for eachother this year. (Remember back in July--the new fridge and stove?  That was our Christmas.) I made John a tri-fold frame, ordered the silhouette family picture on a canvas for him, a new hard drive for the computer and we did get a blu-ray player for the family on black friday.  John gave me a new planner for all my list making, a couple of movies (Eclipse and the Blind Side), and a new Willow Creek figurine.  It's called Cherish (the one of the pregnant lady). He wrote me a special little note about how he's excited for this new adventure with me. :)  I love him so much.

Well, that was our Christmas!  Now I can begin my blog for the new year. I'm hoping to change my background and such a bit.  It's been a year, it needs an overhaul, and I think I'm ready to go there. (Are you listening Nichole???  You promised!) Happy holidays!