Our Nativity Video

Christmas Morning

This Christmas Alex and Tristan were in our room at 7am asking if we could go downstairs. We convinced them to cuddle with us for a few minutes. It was so fun to feel their excitement and anticipation. The only one still sleeping at this point was Emma, so we woke her up and headed down.
  
This is what they found.

 

 After thoroughly enjoying the contents of their stockings, they breakfasted on to the juice, fruit and sugar cereal that Santa has been leaving them in their stockings the last few years.

 

 

 

At 9am we skyped with Grandma and Grandpa Fifield so they could watch the kids open the gifts from them.

Then we did all the sweet little gifts some of the kids had prepared for each other and for Mom and Dad. The kids usually select some of their "treasures" and wrap these themselves. Some of the kids are still learning how it works. Maya's were the funniest. She gave Sebastian one of Tristan & Alex's toys, and she gave Isabelle a toy that was already Isabelle's.

Isabelle surprised us by presenting us with gifts that she had bought with her own money at the school's Santa Workshop. She did this without any help whatsoever and kept it all secret!

Finally we got to the bulk of the presents around the tree. I had put together school scrapbooks for the 5 older kids. This was a lot of work, of course, but it was so worth it, watching them pour over each page enjoying the photos and memories.

Such a happy morning, and a wonderfully relaxing day helping them open toys and games and working on their new crafts!

Christmas Eve Traditions

After our company headed home, we finished off our last family Christmas devotional and Sebastian placed the baby Jesus in the manger. Then we let them open their new Christmas pjs.

They were all very excited for our Crepe Paper Ball tradition. It was wonderful to hear their sweet testimonies of Christ and see their enjoyment of the little gifts.

 Sebastian wanted to unwrap the ball every time and was ecstatic when he finally had his turn. He got Harold the Helicopter.

 Tristan got a new chapter book, "When David Slew Goliath." He couldn't wait to start reading!

 Alex got Book of Mormon Hero trading cards.

And the girls received necklaces.

Everyone loves playing in the crepe paper after we're done.

The kids set out some of our holiday treats for Santa, and Isabelle and Emma sprinkled reindeer food in the front yard. I mentioned to Alex that he had poured quite a bit of milk for Santa. In the morning, when it was all gone, he was happy that he could help poor, thirsty Santa. Isabelle was thrilled that the note Santa left also thanked us for the reindeer food.

Such a magical night! And one of the best parts was that Mom and Dad were done getting ready for the big day by 10 p.m.

Christmas Dinner

We like to do our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve around here. That way we can relax and eat leftovers the next day. Three other families joined us for a wonderful time. I cooked a ham, as well as stuffed pork tenderloin with cream cheese, roasted bell pepper, spinach leaves, pesto and bacon. It was a new recipe and it turned out great! I loved how it had red and green. :)

I also made pecan pie, coconut cream pie, my favorite stuffed mushrooms and these decadent au gratin potatoes. Good food and fabulous company! We had 7 adults (Jesse was not well enough to come) and 16 kids.

 We loved using the cute little Santa nut cups again that Great Grandma Call made for us.

 The kids acted out the Nativity for us. So sweet!

 Sebastian loved playing peek-a-boo with this "Ho, Ho, Ho" hat. He especially loves the "pom pom."

Great Wolf Lodge

On the last day of school we picked the kids up early to whisk them off on a fairly spontaneous trip to Great Wolf Lodge--an indoor waterpark that is just across the state border in Ohio. All our kids have been looking forward to this trip just as much as Christmas day! Two other families came with us too, so it was extra fun.

After several hours of water fun, we cleaned up and headed to the lobby to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Sebastian was fascinated, but not quite sure about it all. He permitted himself to be put on Santa's lap, especially after receiving a candy cane.

They also had a storytime in the lobby for the kids. They loved it when it "snowed" during the show, and when a Rudolf fellow came out and gave hugs.

We gathered in our room with our friends for a pizza party, and finally put all the exhausted little munchkins down at 10 p.m. The six adults irresponsibly stayed up into the morning playing games and enjoying each others' company.

Of course the kids were all up bright and early and were surprised to find pillows being launched down at them from the loft where Mom and Dad were sleeping.

It honestly did not occur to me when we booked the trip that this would mean humbling myself and squeezing my 37 week pregnant body into my maternity swimsuit. Luckily it still fit--barely! :)

There was a LOT of enthusiasm in the morning to get back to the waterpark!

 

All 5 of our older kids were fearless and enjoyed all of the slides. This is Alex and Maya on the double tube, with Jeff off to the left.

 Sebastian is definitely a water baby. He loved swimming around and going down the small slides. People commented repeatedly on how well he does in the water for such a little one.

 Alex getting off a slide.

 Our friend Spencer and cute baby Alli.

 Sebastian and Daddy up in the clubhouse.

 Emma, Isabelle and Tristan making it rain.

 Sebastian enjoying a peanut butter and honey sandwich after all the fun.

Taking this trip was such a great decision. We have fabulous family memories from it all, and it was a fun way to start Christmas break!