Merry Christmas

I always see the idea of giving kids a Christmas Eve box with new Christmas pjs, Christmas movie, etc. but I want them to be able to wear and enjoy the items for longer than that so I decided to give the boys a December 1st box to kick off the Christmas season. It had a Grinch shirt, slippers, a Santa PEZ, and a bag of little Christmas symbols and card telling their meaning so we could talk about them. I think I'll keep this tradition going!

The boys loved decorating their very own Christmas tree!

Some of my new Christmas decor! It's been SO fun decorating our house for the holidays.

I had been eyeing this sign on an online shop for months but even on sale it was like $85 so I just couldn't do it. Then I spotted the same exact sign at Marshalls in Las Vegas the day after Christmas for $25! I snagged one for me and one for Devin. Yassss! Also, Justin spotted this one-piece Christmas village at Costco. I was surprised, but he loved it and asked if I did too. I love that it's one piece so I don't have to store and create a whole village each year. Plus it lights up, moves, and plays music. Done. We took it home that night haha.

Christmas gifts from Elli

Our cute babysitter, Elli, got the boys some Lego's for Christmas! We just love her!

 

 

Highland Ward Christmas Party

Our ward Christmas party was Whoville themed and the boys were SO excited since they're super into the Grinch this year (as in, watched all three versions at least a dozen times). However, as soon as we walked into the gym and they ::somehow:: saw a person dressed up as the Grinch in the sea of people they absolutely freaked out! This is the plate of food I brought Branson in the hallway because he refused to even set foot in the gym. And once I finally got him in both boys hid under the table for most of the time. Oey. Needless to say we didn't last too long at the party.

I think this picture only happened because the Grinch had left the party. 

Nolan was so cute on Christmas morning helping me put gifts under the tree. He'd run up the stairs to our closet, grab a couple, run them down to the tree, meticulously place them (with some adorable commentary), and go back for another load ♥

Christmas Eve

Branson made sure he stayed close to the green Grinch punch and Doritos haha.

Grandma and Grandpa Bailey came and spent the evening with us.

Opening one gift on Christmas Eve tradition.

B was too cute listening to Christmas music with Grandpa's headphones.

It looks like Santa came!!! 

"The children were all asleep in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads."

Christmas Day

So excited! Just waiting for dad to say "HO HO HO!"

Santa brought personalized duffel bags for trips and sleepovers at Gm and Gps house!

  

The boys got absolutely spoiled. We tried so hard to not get them too many gifts, but add in Santa and Gm and Gp Bailey - wow! haha. My family tried out a gift exchange for the adults and I thought it was great! Each adult drew for another adult and each cousin drew another cousins name to give one gift to. My parents wanted to get one gift for each grandkid as well which was sweet.

I love Justin's Yoda Santa hat! He's worn it three years in a row so it's becoming a fun tradition! His mother thinks it's silly, but I love it haha.

My first time being in charge of Christmas dinner! It was a little nerve-wracking because everyone has their traditions, but I kind of wanted to try something new. This roast was absolutely gorgeous going into the crockpot, but not so much coming out haha. It tasted pretty good though!

The retro fighting robots was Nolan's gift from Gm and Gp Mathews and they both loved it!

 Our best, most precious gift this year ♥

I wanted to add this picture because this was a gift from GG and Gpa Hunt. They sent it for Caden along with gifts for the older boys. GG also sent a sweet note saying that they hope they like their gifts, but "the main thing is just for them to know that we remembered them; that we love them all very much and though we don't see them often, we want to be a part of their lives." 

I just love that about her. I remember last year or the year before I told her she didn't need to worry about getting gifts for the boys, I mean she has like 21+ great-grandchildren and counting! But she said that they love it "and besides, life would be pretty dull if we didn't have these sweet little ones to love on." ♥♥