Christmas!

The kids waiting for the okay to come downstairs - we didn't want any peeking. I made sure to set an alarm and get up just before I thought they would. Go figure they'd sleep in an extra hour!
Going through their loot in their stockings

After their stockings we went to our little advent calendar (courtesy of "The Friend" magazine) and did our last scripture reading about the birth of the Savior. Ella had been waiting for a long time to get to put the baby Jesus on the Christmas tree.
Afterwards we headed (quickly) to the tree to start seeing what goodies Santa had left for us.

He didn't disappoint...the kids were so excited at all the gifts. Brandon and I both enjoyed that our kids are old enough that they needed no help or encouragement to find and open their presents. Our Christmas morning was spent cuddled under blankets on the couch watching and sipping hot chocolate. It was perfect!

Brody had to patiently wait for Ella. We have a one at a time rule. If we hadn't I think Christmas morning would have lasted about three minutes before they tore through everything.

It was definitely a Toy Story 3 Christmas at our house

Ella with her Hungry Hungry Hippos

Brody got a Cars race track

Santa even brough Ella the dollhouse that she had kept asking for...

and he brought some furniture to go with it

Both kids were excited to get their own scripture cases from Mom and Dad. Brody got a Book of Mormon for his too, so he can be prepared for Primary. Both kids got doodle pads so that maybe *just maybe* this would be the year we could get rid of mom's ever-growing church bag. **Wish us luck! It still hasn't happened!**

And, Ella our Explorer got her very own Backpack, complete with Map.

And, from Aunt Marilyn they got a box full of one dollar bills. Why? Because, a few months ago a frozen yogurt shop opened just around the corner. This is a huge treat because we have NOTHING "just around the corner" The kids were spoiled in the beginning with frozen yogurt - however while it doesn't sound like a lot, 35 cents an ounce sure adds up. When we told Brody that we didn't have the money to always buy frozen yogurt he of course (like any 4 year old) complained and cried that he just wanted frozen yogurt. So, thus the one dollar bills. I wanted him (and Ella too) to have to pay for their yogurt and give up those precious ones.

They have been once since Christmas and Brody did really well at paying for the yogurt and he saw that he could probably get it 4 more times with his money. He loves "chock-lick" flavored and Ella loves Strawberry (although she is more into the gummy bears on top)

So, thank you Aunt Marilyn for the frozen yogurt money!

The kids starting to play with their toys... Brody got a Project and Draw that is really neat. He is quite the little artist.

Ella with her assembled Dollhouse

Later in the day we had the Burtons come over for dinner and to play with the new toys. Brody and Grandpa had fun with his track...oh and Brandon questions Ella at the end just to make her say purple. She sounds so cute saying it.

We had the yummiest dinner and ate until we couldn't anymore. We played with toys, we skyped with family and we topped off the night with "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation" We were beat when the day was over, but we wouldn't have had it any other way. Christmas with kids gets better and better every year. They get why we celebrate it and enjoy being with family. Several times through the month I caught Ella singing Happy Birthday to the Baby Jesus in our Natvity display. I love seeing them learn and "get it" They are good kids.

So, to finish the post...our favorite gifts of the year are:

Ella - dollhouse

Brody - Mavis the train

Sarah & Brandon - probably a tie between our meat grinder and our Vitamix blender we've used the Vitamix more, but its just because we haven't really had meat yet to grind. We are definitely fans of smashing up our food in different ways - sounds a little weird, but tastes really yummy!