Christmas Morning

Christmas was on a Sunday this year. Rick's parents arrived at 7:00 a.m. and the excitement began!

Troy was thrilled with his new electric guitar

Mallory with her I-touch

Go 49'ers!

Lindsie about had a heart-attack when she opened her I-phone

Troy bought Mallory this sleep mask... we are hoping it helps her sleep in on the weekends:)

skateboard trucks!

Ear-jax

Lindsie bought Mallory oobee slippers

A BOMB went off in this room...

I gave Rick a bike computer!

Modern technology:  We skyped with Dave, Lisa and Bodie.  It was almost as good as having them here with us!

After opening presents, we got dressed in our best and went to church.  While at church, our breakfast cooked in the oven and was ready to eat when we got home!  Yummy mmmmmm

My family came over later that day for dinner and dessert

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year.  I love that it brings family and friends together.  After Christmas was all over, kids were in bed, and house was all cleaned up, Rick and I sat down and watched  all of our family pictures slideshow on Apple TV.  Where is time going?  How are our kids getting so big? Are we starting to look OLD? Remember all the fun vacations? 

All I know is that I am going to appreciate each day as they come, realizing how fast time is going.  Never turn down an invitation to do something fun and NEVER PASS ON DESSERT!!!

Christmas Eve

Is it seriously Christmas again already??? 

 I found myself asking this question over and over. Last year was just seconds ago -- me in my neck brace, grateful I could walk, and hoping for a full recovery! I got more than I could ever ask for this last year.  I am back to all activities and hardly even know I ever smashed my spinal cord.  Now, a year has passed, my kids have grown, Rick's gotten even better looking, and we have another year full of amazing fun memories.  We have so much to be grateful for, its ridiculous!!!

We started out Christmas eve festivities at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Of course, grandma found funny, crazy masks for us all to wear.  Have I mentioned that I scored in the in-law department??? I absolutely LOVE my in-laws

 

Next, we went to my parents house... this is when I really feel Christmas is here.  All my childhood memories come flooding back to all of the exciting Christmas eves I spent in the same house.  How many people can say their parents still live in the same house they grew up in???

Kenzie is hilarious -- she is already smiling and interacting at only 3 months old.  If you talk to her, she will get this huge smile on her face and gets so excited.  I think she got the "grandma Wilson excitement gene"

Mom always has a delicious spread of food for us to stuff our faces full!!!

Ha ha -- this is a mouse made out of chocolate.  This one is for you Meg....

We each open one gift....

I had to take a picture of this plunger snowman.  It is so funny... it is motion activated, so when you walk into the bathroom to take care of business, it starts singing a song about how he is watching you while you ....   I almost stole it to bring it home -- HILARIOUS

Cameron got a drill and was trying to drill a hole in Troy's head -

Three excited kids, at home, ready to open their new Christmas pajamas!!!

Twas the night before Christmas...

What a day full of fun and so many blessings.  It was impossible not to be overwhelmed with gratitude.  I love my family so much --my kids are so amazing.  They always amaze me at how grateful and giving they are and as they get older they are really turning into their "own" people with their own ideas, thoughts, and personalities.   I am so grateful that I get to be their mom and watch them go through this journey of life!  Christmas has been a time for us to remember our Savior and what he has done for us -- this year has been a tremendous year of growth for our family and I am grateful for it. My kids will always remember the prayers and love/support we were offered this year and I know it has shaped who they are.  So I am grateful for our challenges and how they bring us closer together and remind us what this life is all about!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Christmas Trains

The month of December FLEW by, but we managed to set aside a night to get together with the Erskine family and make candy trains. Our original idea was to go to temple square and see the lights, but the forecast called for windy cold temps. We quickly made other plans which consisted of dinner at Rumbi, drive through thanksgiving point and see all the lights (in warm car), then to Erskines to make candy trains and exchange gifts. I forgot to take a lot of pics, but here are the few I did take

Lisa made a bff book of Mallory and Emery from the time they were just days old until now.  It was the cutest idea ever -- couldn't help but get a little emotional watching the two of them growing up together.  So many great and fun memories

Lisa and I demonstrating how to make the trains...

I love seeing all the creative ideas each kid has... Every train was totally different and captured each kids personality and style

Troy thought it would be funny to go cross-eyed for this pic  ha ha

Rick wasn't getting enough attention, so decided the frosting bowl would make a cool hat!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!  

We loved hanging out with great friends and the sugar-high was AMAZING!!!