Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas.  My parents and all of my siblings came to visit, except for my brother who just left to serve a mission in Alaska.

In the days leading up to their visit, my kids and I were wiped out by the flu.  Included in our sickness adventures was an otherwise happy-looking James projectile vomiting all over himself and the floor when I was running a mandatory errand at Menards (Ashley and William were in tow.  They took the craziness well.).  Surprisingly, it was my first experience with public vomiting.  On the upside, it was also the first time I did not have to clean up the mess.

I had one day after we were all feeling better to sanitize the house in time for my family to arrive.  After their harrowing drive through three snowy states, we embraced them and that was the beginning of our apparent leftover germ-sharing.  One by one over the next few days, every single one of them was wiped out, too.

Only a few of us were in the mood to eat our traditional Christmas Eve feast, so we pared it down as much as we could.  We still had too much food.

However, we did still have a Christmas Eve devotional and we opened new pajamas and books.

One of my kids smiled consistently through all photos.  Guess who?

Yep.  The Baby.  

William and Everett love their Batman pajamas.  Everett announced that they were the "Batman Brothers" and William really took to that term.  Now he frequently asks to wear his Batman Brothers pajamas.  Ashley, of course, loved her nightgown, which came with a miniature version for a doll.  Given Ashley's distaste for dolls, it went right onto her cat and they both looked quite pleased. 

My Mom also bought my sisters and me matching pj's.  It was fun.  We haven't dressed alike in years!

Even though my sisters were sick (and still look pretty good in this picture), they were still fun aunts and the kids have really missed them.  So do I.  It is great to visit with sisters!

Christmas morning was relaxing and wonderful.  I believe the kids woke up around 6, which is not too much earlier than normal.  We put most of the gifts out after they were in bed (I love to display the wrapped presents but that is not a possibility right now with my baby and toddler!), and we barely had room between the couch and the piano.  Our family members were all incredibly generous.  All of the Grandparents spoiled my kids and bought them exactly what they love, and some of the Aunts joined in on the fun, too.  No present was a failure.  We've had a lot of fun playing new games, reading new books, wearing new clothes, and playing with new toys.

Even though I felt bad that my kids were being spoiled while other children may not be receiving anything this year, I was grateful they have so many people in their lives who continually bless them with love and fun.  Because of all of you, my kids will not grow up starved for either of those things.

In November, the kids, Joel, and I, wrote down some things Heavenly Father has blessed us with.  We wrapped those papers in a little box and opened it during our Christmas Day dinner.  It was nice to reflect on the blessings and gifts we've already received from a loving Father in Heaven--the blessings that come daily, no matter the holiday or occasion.