Christmas Day

Christmas morning the kids started waking up and waking each other up at about 6:30. We told them they had to stay in bed till 7 but about 6:40ish we decided to let them get up and bring in their stockings.

It was a pretty relaxing opening of the stockings. There was not a big rush to get through it, I think because the kids knew they had to wait until after church to open the Christmas presents. After they were done with the stockings. We had them clean up and then get ready for church. Once everyone was ready we all sat at the table to eat our scrambled eggs and juice. I had big plans to make a scrumptious breakfast casserole for our Christmas morning but when I put it together the night before I realized I forgot to let the sausage thaw. I was too tired to deal with it by that point so I didn't. I made the scrambled eggs the next morning and made it fancy by adding green peppers and cheese. Yummers! Kefford, of course, did not have any meetings that morning and it was so lovely having him home with us.

All dressed up in Christmas Sunday best!

I was actually really excited about going to church on Christmas I thought it was a good thing to be able to go to church and worship Christ on this most special day. Kefford had to sit up on the stand, of course, and so it was me with 4 littles who were anxious to get home. I tried so hard to feel the spirit and listen to the testimonies given by our Bishopric but it was so hard, my kids were not cooperating. I get it, it did not make it any easier but I got it, they are kids and are excited and not able to settle down and stop thinking about what was waiting at home. I was at least able to listen mostly to Kefford so that was good. Finally after one of the speakers going over by about 20 minutes we were released and allowed to head on home. :o)

After we all changed we finally gathered downstairs to open presents. Ryker had bought a present for me at his schools elf store with his own money. He was so excited to give it to me and made me open it first. He got me a blue heart cut out of the fake crystal. It was really sweet and extra so that he used his own birthday money to buy it for me. Was a fantastic boy I have!

I got a Kindle Fire!!! So happy, Kenedy kept laughing at me because when I saw what it was a totally squealed, I was so excited. It is awesome!

Joshua works at Amazon and back in november he sent out an email telling us about some great deals that were going on. I checked it out and I found The Lord of the Rings boxed set, extended version plus digital copy for only $50. Unheard of for that price! Kefford has been wanting this ever since the movies came out and could just never justify doing it and so when I saw that I had to jump on it. I was really worried though because it sounded like one of those too good to be true deals. I was really worried that when it arrived I would find it was all in chinese or something. Luckily it was what it was and Kefford was really stoked about it when he opened it. I love when I come up with genius things. I feel like he is always so good about getting me exactly whatt I would want and so when I can do the same it is awesome!

After we opened our presents we opened the secret person gifts from my family. My family since I was young has done secret person gifts. we all draw a name and then buy a present for that person. Last year I opted my family out of the exchange and it was kindof sad to be left out of it all, so we will not be doing that again.

Alyssa had Rylee and got her squinkies!

Kirk had Ryker and got him Batman Legos

Erin had Kenedy and she got her s cute sweater and nail polish. Erin asked me what to get Kenedy and when Kenedy said she wanted clothes I took her to Justice had her pick out a couple things that she liked, had her try them on and then took a picture of each one and sent it to erin so that she could choose one to give. It was so great because Kenedy could pick what she liked and then still be surprised by which one Erin got her. I love technology! The nail polish Kenedy did not even see until she was cleaning up the paper when it just rolled out. She was surprised by the more goodies and it was funny how noone knew it was there.

Ashleigh had Kefford got him The Batman seasons three and four.

And my Mom had me. When I went to Utah for the baptism my Mom gave me the christmas gifts to take back. One of them had my name on it from my secret person and it looked like my sister Stephanies handwriting so I knew it was from her and I said so. Surprise ruined. Uh but not quite because it was my Mom who had me she is so tricky! She got me some sees chocolate, so yum, and this beautiful Australian opals palm tree necklace. I love it and wear it everyday.

So that is our Christmas. After we were done with all the openign we hung out at home and enjoyed being a family. It was a really nice day. the next day we went out to Nyssa and got to see everyone and that was fun too!

Merry Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Day was a pretty low key kind of day. I needed to finish sewing the kids Christmas pajamas and so with Kefford home with the kids I locked myself in my bedroom and got to work. I had already had them cut out I just needed to sew them. I purposefully waited to do it on this day because I wanted Kefford to be with them while I was incognito for a couple of hours. It was low stress until I sewed Kenedys pajamas wrong. Of course hers were the ones I started with and so I put them aside and did the others. Then I sat in front of the TV for a good fifteen to twenty minutes and seam ripped her pajamas apart. Finally I had them all done and wrapped them up and put them under the tree. Kefford did some last minute shopping and we all hung out. I wanted to make a nice turkey dinner for our Christmas Eve and i was excited about all that yummy turkey but so nervous because i had never coked a turkey before, It turned out so delicious and perfect. My first turkey was definitely a success. After dinner we let the kids open their new Christmas pajamas and ornaments. I started the tradition last year that I was going to select ornaments that fit each kids personality rather then give them all the same thing. So Kenedy got a hairdryer/flat iron/brush ornament because she is becoming a teenager. Ryker I found a basketball frame ornament and I put a picture of him and his Dad in it to represent the first year of having Kefford as his coach, he thought it was pretty cool. Avynlea got a kitty ornament since she loves Kitty's and Rylee got a little lovebug ornament since she is everyones little love. they all liked what they got and especially loved their new pajamas. GO BSU!

After the present opening the kids dressed up to do a reenactment of the nativity but could not quite get it together. So we had them change back into their pajamas and I read them out new Christmas Book which talked about the birth of Christ and then we watched the First Presidency's Christmas devotional. We had it recorded on our DVR but never got around to watching it which I am glad because it was perfect for the night before Christmas. Once we put the kids to bed Kefford and I started wrapping the things that never got wrapped and then set it all out. It was a weird night because honestly it did not feel like it should be Christmas already. I am not sure if it was because it came so fast or what but it was weird. Oh well, we got everything all set up and ready for the morning and then we went to bed.

Basketball End of Season

So Ryker has finished another season of Basketball. I am impressed with how good his skills are getting and am really glad that he enjoys it. Ryker loved having his dad be his coach this time around but Kefford was not thrilled with it and says he probably will not do it again. The main problem is being stuck with a team who is really no good, who mess around and do not pay attention. We got slaughtered at almost every single game. It was really sad. But this season is over and we are seriously considering moving him to a different league for next year. We shall see. I really want Kefford to keep coaching Ryker and so I am hoping that by next season he will have forgotten how frustrating it was for him and that i can talk him into doing it again.

We did an awards pizza party with the team and Kefford gave out trophy's and made up certificates for the boys. Ryker got the Mr. Hustle award but after we came home Kefford gave him his real award which was MVP, Most Valuable Player. Ryker was really good and deserved that award but Kefford did not think it a good idea for the coach's son to get the best award so he gave it to him later. smart move.

Breakfast With Santa

Chaparral has a Breakfast with Santa tradition that they do every year. You go to the school on a Saturday morning and either pay money or donate food to the food bank (we donate) and you get a pancake breakfast and a free picture with Santa. They also have a "craft fair" that you can buy items at. I walked around and looked at the craft fair and found nothing of interest, disappointing but I am thinking that selling cute homemade crafts for a decent price is a lost art. Most of the handmade stuff was junk and most of the booths were independent consultants selling things like Scentsy and pampered chef. One girl was trying to sell $100 flip flops...not even lying! So yeah I was not impressed.

So we did the Santa picture thing and then ate our breakfast and went home. My kids all had different feelings about meeting Santa and so I asked them to show me how they felt and I took a picture

Avynlea does not enjoy the whole sit on Santa's lap and tell him what you want for Christmas. She knows that the real Santa is in the north pole busy getting ready for Christmas. So she also knows that these "sit on the lap" Santa's are not real. Basically she does not enjoy sitting on a strangers lap, she thinks it is creepy.

Rylee is the only one super excited to meet Santa and that is just fine.

Ryker is indifferent.

And Kenedy thinks it is weird but. whatever, she will play along.

I got a good picture out of it and I will treasure it because soon enough I will have teenagers who refuse to take part in these silly traditions.

The Star

We bought a new fake Christmas tree this year and any time the decorating of the tree has been brought up Rylee would just get so excited. It was finally her year to put the star on the tree. Oh man was she excited, it was actually so cute to see her so happy. So with her Daddys help Rylee did a beautiful job placing the star on top of our new tree!

Ryker's Wolf Badge

Ryker is now an official Wolf! He worked really hard to make the deadline before his 9th birthday and made it just in time. I am proud of him and happy that he was so excited to earn it.

Kenedy's Piano Recital

We drove back from Utah Sunday afternoon and as soon as we got home we had to quickly unpack and then rush to Kenedys piano recital. She played "Angels we Have Heard on High" and did an awesome job. She practiced and practiced and practiced and it really paid off. This girl has some serious piano playing talent and I am really proud of her for working so hard to improve her skills!