We had so much fun on Christmas Day having all our family around us. We couldn't believe that the kids didn't wake up until 8am. We have not had a late morning Christmas like that since Brock was 3. It was nice to sleep in and feel rested on Christmas morning. We did our traditional poula (sp/finish sweet bread) eating before the kids could go up to their presents. My mother-in-law puts a nut in one of the rolls and the child that finds it gets to be first in line. This year it was little Embry girl.
Up the stairs they went with Embry in the lead...
All the kiddos loved what Santa brought them. Brock, Kenley and Brody all got IPods. And little E got her very first Big Wheel! She loves it and rides it all around the house. I didn't get a picture of Brody with his IPod but he loves it so much, you can hear him through the house singing to his songs. Just today he was jumping up and down saying, "hey mom I have have my Let's Play Music songs on here!"
This year we tried something a little different for our family. We gave each kid three gifts, like the wise men gave to Christ. They are used to getting much more. It helped them to understand that Christmas isn't all about how many gifts you can get, but about Christ and his birth. Helping them relate their gifts to the gifts Christ received helped them be more grateful for what they received. Here are some other favorites...Embry's Little People Castle, Brody's Drum Set, A Wii for the family, Brock's Star War's Unleashed game for the Wii (you can use Light sabers and you can really force with your hand, or so I'm told), Kenley's Digital Camera, and Brody's Power Ranger Megasords.
We had such a great time among all the ciaos that filled our home. We would do it again in a heartbeat and really miss having everyone around all the time. Thank you to all my family for coming to our home we loved having you and miss having sleepovers. Hopefully this year my kids learned a little more what the true meaning of Christmas is. And here's to hoping they learn more and more each year!
Brock was a wise man, Brody was Joseph, Lily was Mary, Dallin was a sheep and my brother TJ was the donkey.
My two sweet girls were angels.
Kenley got a shirt with her name on it made by Maija.
Brody got a hand painted puzzle from Danni, a picture of the two of them. 
Embry got a teddy bear made from scratch from Caden, she sleeps with it every night and as you can see, she loves it.
The kids all loved their gifts, but I think their favorite part was watching their cousins open the gifts that they made for them. Isn't that what it's all about? (Just look at Brody's sweet face)
We got to go to Brody's Preschool class today and what their Christmas Program. What sweet kiddos. They were so cute and really enjoyed singing for all the parents and grandparents. They performed the Christmas story to music, Brody was one of the wisemen. Brody really enjoyed having us come to see him at school. He got to show his daddy his favorite part of the classroom, the word wall. The kids get to bring in words that they can read to put on the word wall, I love the idea! We love Brody's teacher Mrs. Allison she has been so fun and is really preparing Brody for next year, the BIG K (kindergarten). She had them all make blankets for eachother for Christmas. They each got a fleece blanket with everyone's handprint and name on it (even Mrs. Allison) so they will remember eachother and their class when they move on. Brody has carried his blanket around with him all day. 
We went to the Temple Lights this Monday for 
