Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve began with a little tradition we started a few years back.

Cinnamon Rolls and egg nog for breakfast, and whoever finds the almond in their roll gets to open the first gift of Christmas after breakfast. This year Daddy Rob found it!

We were thrilled he got to be home with us all day! That's all we wanted for Christmas.

We got battleship this year, and the kids have had a lot of fun with it.

We then joined a bunch of friends for a Mexican lunch at the White House! :)

It was delicious, relaxing and fun. We even had a little white elephant exchange, and Rob got "The Love Revival" Reba Cd, sweet!

When we were getting coats on to go, poor Ellie girl threw up all over the White's bathroom. Sadly, she and Trevor and I missed the evening party. :( She had her Angel costume all ready to go too. She did get to watch Christmas movies though, and she was a good sport.

Even with Ellie sick, Ryan didn't want to miss his chance to be Joseph in the Nativity this year!

So, sweet!

Then hanging stockings for the big man,

And leaving Christmas fudge for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

Oh...the anticipation!

Trevor Loved "Kissmas"

This is my favorite picture from Christmas this year.

Trevor was at such a fun age for the holidays, everything was exciting!

This kid is so much fun.

"Ho, ho, ho, Santa Claus"

His mom adores him.

He is very snuggly and "cozy." He'll walk up to me and say, "Mommy, cozy." and put his hands up to be picked up.

Now Trevor's favorite songs are Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells, Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and Away in the Manger.

We believe it when people tell us how fast kids grow up,

and we're enjoying every minute of it.

The Magic of Christmas

Ellie and Ryan enjoyed a magical Christmas this year.

.

Ryan helped me get cards and treats out to the neighbors,

and it was one of my favorite days with him.

We had a Christmas count down next to the tree everynight by putting together a nativity puzzle and reading scriptures.

Then we would have prayer and read Christmas stories by the tree. :)

I'm a believer in the magic.

My back HuRtS!

One thing we've sure done a lot of this winter is...

SHOVEL SNOW!

Little Cali Salmon is from Arizona, and she had her first time playing in the snow in our yard!

Ryan has loved his red snow shovel.

He feels like such a man out there shoveling the walk for his mom, and he's really good at it!

This is his snow pile he made and added onto everytime it snowed.

After one snow storm, we opened our front door to find a foot high snow drift!

At least it's fun to jump in!

Santa's Lap

On December 13th our ward had a wonderful Christmas party.

Lolly is on the activities committee, so she was able to help put together the spiritual program, decorations, and music.

Of course after the ham and potatoe dinner and sing along, Santa came to visit.

Trevor wasn't too sure about Santa...

But, Ryan was!

And Ellie had him all figured out.

She asked him for a barbie, because the American girl doll she really wanted wouldn't fit in her stocking (clever girl).

And she found a nifty place in her shirt for the candy Santa gave her too.

We had a great time with friends, especially adorable Aly Rigby and her family.

And two of Rob's co-residents who came as well.

(Kevin and Aree, sitting on the right.)

It was a good kick-off for all the Christmas celebrations!

Ho, hO, HO!

Jenny's Baby Shower

This is my wonderful friend Jenny Salmon and I on December 6th

when we celebrated the coming of her little son Isaac.

We had a fun party with all the sisters from the ward.

Katie (the beautiful blond on the left) was the master mind behind it all.

Great job Katie!

The party got me motivated to get all the decorations for Christmas up.

I love what Christmas does to a house. It's going to look so empty when I take everything down.

Cheesecake....

Cute decor...

Delicious food....

and women.

Need I say more?

Jenny ended up having her baby on Christmas Eve (at 2 AM!) and brought him home from the hospital on Christmas day.

What a wonderful Christmas gift!

Congrats Jenny!

We can't wait to meet your precious little guy.