Christmas

Christmas this year was AWESOME...for a couple of reasons: 1) Bryson moved back in with us a couple weeks before Christmas so we had him here on Christmas Eve AND Christmas morning. That hasn't happened in a long time so it was definitely a treat! 2) I loved how excited Nick was to give Hailey the gift he bought for her. :) I think he was actually more excited to give her this gift than he was to open his own...how often does THAT happen with a teenager??? :)

 Nick had Hailey close her eyes while he got her present set up.

 TA DA...it was a new fish tank for her fish with a filter and a light. Who is surprised that it had to do with an "animal"? NOT ME! :) This fish is the world's longest living gold fish...it's the one Nick won for his cookies at a mutual activity and has lived FOREVER! He gave it to Hailey awhile ago since she did not have a pet of her own. :) He's actually hoping it dies before her birthday in May so he can get her a beta fish to go in the cool new tank for her birthday. :)

 Hailey was very excited to get these hair coloring "crayons" since she was pretty jealous that we got this kit for her cousin for Christmas. :)

 Bryson asked for money for Christmas so to make it more fun to open I put it in these nesting boxes. You would be amazed at how small you can fold bills to fit in the tiniest box! I think there were 10 boxes within boxes.

 Nick made me this candle at school. He had to go in during flex to make it and they were only accepting a certain number of students for this project so he said he literally ran from one end of the school to the other and was the 2nd to the last student let in to make these.

 Nick and Hailey entertained themselves by taking pictures in the car while they were waiting for Brian and I to come out to go to Grandma's that afternoon. :)

I love Christmas! I love how it brings the family together and causes us to reflect on our Savior and his role in our lives. I love how the kids think of each other and not just themselves. I love the time off of school and work and being in a warm home drinking hot chocolate. And I love getting together with extended family and laughing and enjoying the time together.

Looking forward now to everything the new year will bring!