Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child

I think we can all learn a lesson of gratitude from this video...

Christmas Eve

One of our family traditions is to open a gift on Christmas Eve. The last couple of years we have opened our exchange gifts from Kaylon's family, which has worked out well. Here are some pics.

This was Moira's first ever Christmas present- some really cute clothes from Cousin Ashley:)

Then it was Liliana's turn- you should have seen the envy in
Grace's eyes when she say the size of that box!

Thank you Cousin Derrick!For some reason Grace didn't believe me when I said that her gift was a butterfly attachment for her butt-kicking machine (sorry, family joke). As soon as she ripped off enough paper to see what it was she was thrilled- her own 3 Musketeers Barbie doll! Thanks Aunt Jacquel!

Kaylon was very please with his gift from Uncle Ralph- now he gets to delve
into the back story of Master chief!

And (not so sadly) I was in charge of the camera that night, so no pictures of me, but I would like to thank Jen for the Willow Tree statue and yummy peppermint bark! Two things right off my Christmas list to Santa!

Moira's First Word

She says Dada now. She started saying it yesterday while Pop was here. Kaylon is thrilled. I am slightly resentful. Maybe that's not the right word- too strong I think, but you know, I'd have liked it to be Mama. Oh well. At least I know she prefers me, even if she says his name.

Merry Christmas

Sorry I've just bombarded you all with a bunch of new posts. I figured that I had better get things posted before Christmas Eve took all my time away, in a good way :)

I wanted to reflect a little about Christmas tonight. I always thought that Christmas could not get any better than how it was when I was a child. The anticipation all month long- the cookies, and fruit, and decorations. Putting ornaments on a tree and wrapping the one gift I bought for our family exchange. Our annual Christmas Eve nativity play (which eventually dwindled down to me singing and Brandon playing the Drummer Boy). Fancy dinners while listening to Christmas carols. Trying to fall asleep Christmas Eve while the excitement bubbled up in my stomach, causing to me giggle ever few minutes. And finally the sheer happiness as I tore through wrapping paper to the gifts inside. These are all great memories. But I had no clue.

I couldn't have known then how much better Christmas is as a parent. I never understood how true it is that it is better to give than to receive. I am SO EXCITED for Christmas- but not for my own gifts. My excitement is for the looks on the girls' faces when they open their presents- to see Kaylon's surprise as he looks into his boxes. It's for the chance to have a holiday feast ready for my my mother and brother when they arrive for a week stay. It reminds me of the scripture in Matthew 7:11, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" I have wanted to give my loved ones the world this Christmas. And we have been blessed with the means to give the girls a "good Christmas" as gifts under the tree goes. And if I feel so strongly about giving my girls some toys, how much more must my Father in Heaven love me, to have given His Only Begotten Son to the world to die for our sins; to live amongst us to show us how to live the commandments so that we could return to live with Him again? I am so grateful tonight for a Savior, who was born in the lowliest of circumstances, laid in a manger, and visited by mere shepherds. His status demanded so much more. But He did it- for me, and for you, so that we could be happy.

So while it's fun to be excited for the presents under the tree- let us remember why we give the gifts. It is a symbol of the gift that our Father in Heaven gave us 2000 years ago: a baby boy, pure and holy, that would grow up to become the Savior of the world.

Merry Christmas to you all.

We couldn't help ourselves...

There was no parent-prodding of this picture. She found the pretzel where her sisters had discarded it. She got up on the couch. She sat back and relaxed. And she's the one who made herself look like she was smoking- not us. hehe..

Pop's Visit

Pop made the trek out to see us today and we had a great time! We started out sledding outside. I'll have to get some video from dad of that. I took Moira on her first sled ride, which she seemed to like.

We then ate some lunch, followed by some cookies decorating.

Grace then practiced her piano recital for us- doing an excellent job, by the way. Kaylon has done a great job teaching and she really enjoys preforming for an audience. Then we played some games and hung out for a while. I got some good pics of the girls with Pop. Enjoy!

And Grandma Jay, since I know your are reading this- I wanted you to know that we missed you today! It would have been even more fun with you here!

Playing in the snow

The snow has stayed around for a few days, which we took advantage of yesterday. The deck is great for contained snow-playing: I can watch them from the warmth of the living room while they eat snow.
Poor Liliana had a hard time standing up while in her snow pants.
Grace spent most of her time making a snowman (or snowgirl). I showed her how to roll and snowball to make bigger balls and then found things to make the nose, eyes and mouth.

She was very proud when she finished, and rightfully so!


The M&Ms that we used for the eyes were gone by morning, but the blue coloring remains. It makes it look like it's crying. Grace thought that was funny.