Santa came! And I was so excited! Although I was in a fog from all the medications, I couldn't help get in the spirit of the day! I have always had a hard time sleeping on Christmas Eve, even as an adult. I usually wake up very early and shower before the kids are allowed to come downstairs. This year they begged us to let them come downstairs at 6:00, but Ryan was thinking 7:00 sounded good. We all compromised on 6:30, but I was awake and in the shower at 5:00 because I could hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet upstairs.
Logan had apparently had an accident in the night, and Lindsey had cleaned him up and gotten him changed into new jammies. What a sweet big sister! The three youngest slept in Brynlie's bed together, and Brevan slept in Logan's room upstairs next to them. These are the shiny faces I found when I walked upstairs at 6:29 to tell the kids it was present time! Lindsey was holding the alarm clock and carefully waiting for that last minute to pass.
After seeing what Santa had brought, we all got ready for church. I have to say that I LOVED having Christmas on a Sunday this year! Our church was shortened to only Sacrament at 10:00, and the kids were so excited about the fun day that they were ready an hour early and we had a little time to open presents under the tree. First the kids gave each other their gifts, which was probably my favorite moment. I love seeing the thought they put into choosing gifts for their siblings. Then each kid was able to open one gift from me and Ryan. Every year I change up the way I label the presents, so no one has any idea which gifts are theirs until I call out a number of random word that is written on the package. I fooled them again this year, and they had to go on the hunt for each present!
Church was incredible. Honestly, it was so perfect to see the Santa gifts, go to church and feel an incredible Spirit, then come home and continue with the unwrapping. The songs and thoughts that were shared in church were very timely and I will probably share some of my thoughts on them another time. After church, the kids changed into comfortable, clean pajamas for the rest of the relaxing day.
A shirt with the beloved MineCraft pictures. This boy loves the MineCraft games (which I lovingly call MindCrap).
Lindsey starts basketball next week, and was super excited about this Justice outfit!
Alright, I have to admit that this was my favorite gift to give. Partly because I knew Brynlie would LOVE it, but also because it was really a gift to myself, too! Brynlie opened an envelope and read a letter that told her to pack her bags because she was flying to Texas with her favorite Mom to spend 3 fun-filled days shopping, eating, and most importantly going to see the Broadway musical "Wicked," which she has been dying to see! She is doing a year-long Beyond Basics project on Broadway plays, and was absolutely ecstatic when she read the letter!
But the fabulous reaction we got from Brynlie was immediately lessened when our beautiful Lindsey ran out of the room crying that she didn't get to go. We sat on the stairs and talked to her for about 10 minutes before she bravely stopped her tears and tried to be happy. Then we helped her remain calm by stuffing her mouth with candy and letting her listen to the songs on her new MP3 player.
Even though we stopped SEVERAL times to have the kids clean up the mess, this was the final result when the presents were all open.
So besides the fact that I was in incredible pain, was very tired, and can't remember much of the day, it was a great Christmas! We spoke on the phone to Scott's family and our parents later that evening, and I had some twinges of longing to be out west for the holidays.
Logan's top 5 gifts:
Pirate ship
Batman Wii game
Indiana Jones Wii game
Lots of action figures
LeapPad
Lindsey's top 5 gifts:
American Girl doll
12 outfits for her doll
Basketball outfit
Boots
pink MP3 player
Brynlie's top 5 gifts:
Trip to Texas to see Wicked
American Girl doll
Lots of candy making stuff
Art supplies
iPod
Brevan's top 5 gifts:
Noise-cancelling earphones
Game-making books and CD's
Minecraft shirt
Chess set and admission to chess lessons
iHome charger and alarm clock
Ryan's top 5 gifts:
The calendar Lindsey made for him
The camping sandwich cooker Brevan gave him
The pen Brynlie gave him
The candybar Logan gave him
The clothes and DVD's I gave him
Ali's top 5 gifts:
The calendar Lindsey gave me
The super soft blanket Brevan gave me
The art project Brynlie made for me
The candybar Logan gave me
The awesome treadmill Ryan gave me
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