Merry Christmas

Today I have felt so blessed to be part of this family. What a beautiful day it was as we celebrated our Saviors birth. We told the kids that we would get them up as soon as the little boys get up...which usually is sometime between 6am and 6:30am...but the one day of the year that we were waiting for them to wake they didn't and we had to wake them at 7am. Here are the kids sitting in front of the tree before we opened presents. Elijah is afraid of the flash on the camera so always squints at pictures and I have no idea what Justin is doing to the poor dog. This is Elijah's first Christmas that he remembers so it has been really fun with him the past month. He is constantly saying "Christmas" although all he knows about it is that there are two trees in the house, lots of decorations and more treats than any of us need. He was so cute in opening his presents. He loved his new cars and trucks.

Abe couldn't wait to get going on opening the presents. As a 4 year old you would think that he would remember that all the presents were not for just him under the tree. He did not have a lot of patience as we were opening all of ours. He can't wait to watch his new Scooby Doo movie. Olivia was excited to get an ipod shuffle so she can listen to music like her big sisters do. Of course we got her the color of pink. She also got a baby doll with clothing, play swing and car seat. She has yet to officially name her yet but so far I have heard Daisy and Rebecca.

Lilah has earned money this year and bought her own ipod shuffle so she wanted an idog to go with it. She has carried it around with her all day as she has "fed" her idog music. She also got a petshop day planner which has also been carried around all day as she has played games on it.

Chancey wanted an ipod shuffle too so she got one with an idog. The idogs connect to their ipod's and it plays their music like a speaker so now they can listen to their music with ear phones (when mom has had enough of listening to all the music) or they can listen to their music on their idog speakers. She was definitely happy with her Christmas.

Jayd has wanted her own digital camera for a long time and this Christmas we decided to get her one so she would stop using ours...which broke last month because of all the kids playing with it. She immediately was taking pictures of everyone and we have created her own pictures area on our computer now for all her pictures. Maybe she will be our family photographer now.

Justin had seen a Book of Mormon time-line poster at Brother Frost's house (a friend from our Ward) and has been obsessed with it ever since so Bro. and Sis. Frost gave one to Justin as a gift. How sweet they are to him. Another favorite gift was a rip-stick which he has been wanting for a while. Now he just has to learn how to ride it and walk the dog at the same time. :)

Matt and I had such a fun day watching the children open their gifts and we know that we have been blessed so much this year. We are so grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and for his example in our lives. We both know that He has been their for us when we have needed his help. Our children are a blessing in our lives and although the home is crazy with all nine of us, it is filled with love. We are grateful for our extended families. Their strength, support and love has been such a blessing to us this past year. We hope that all may have a joyous new year!!!