Christmas!

I am just now realizing, looking through my pictures, that I did a really, really bad job of documenting Christmas this year- pretty much I didn't take any pictures on Christmas Day.  That's alright, though, because we had a wonderful time.

  This picture is supposed to be the older kids admiring each others' pj pants. 

For the last few years, we have included books with the traditional pj's for Christmas Eve.  Since all of the kids love to read, it is an easy way to get everyone settled down and in bed.  I did not pose this picture- as soon as they unwrapped their books, they all sat down and started to read!

Christmas morning was not Eliza's favorite time- she woke up to eat around 6:30, and she would normally have gone back to sleep for a few hours, but I felt weird about leaving her in bed while we opened presents, so I got her up.  Kind of silly, I know.  She was a little freaked out by all the present opening- didn't know what to make of all her new toys, and then she fell back to sleep until almost noon.  So much for her first Christmas!

I think everyone was excited about their presents this year- Price and Josh got a Wii (finally!), Rebekah an iPod, Ethan got an erector set (although his favorite present ended up being the rc helicopter he bought with his Christmas money from grandparents), Emma and Annie got Fur Real Friends (a dog and a cat), and Eliza got tons of baby toys (not something I saved from the other kids- we had nothing).  Tim and I also added to the electronic devices with a new iPod and a Kindle Fire.  So everyone had plenty to play with after Christmas. :)  The kids also got a homemade puppet theater and puppets from Grandma and Grandpa Steele, and they have loved it- I don't have children who shy away from the spotlight!

1:00 church was really nice for Christmas- we had time to open presents, eat breakfast (breakfast casserole and cinnamon roll cake), get ready, and get to church without hurrying.  Rebekah and I sang in the choir, and Rebekah played in a flute duet for one of the numbers.  

Church went longer than I was expecting (doesn't it always?), so we were late to Mom and Dad's for dinner, but they were nice and waited for us- the only casualty was the broccoli. :) It is so nice to be close and able to share holidays and even just normal events!

I just really enjoyed Christmas this year- it was relaxing, fun and spiritual.  I felt closer to my Savior, and to my family.  I'm ready for summer now, so I can have them home again!