Twas the week(s) before Christmas

I'm writing this in the middle of the day while the boys bounce in their new bouncy house.  #bestgiftever

This is a picture of all the lovely gifts I got for my birthday.  There are 7.  I am spoiled.

 This was one of my gifts.  Brian framed our wedding photo of us "tying the knot" and our Sealing photo.  I cried when I opened them.  So thoughtful.

 The yummy birthday cake from my in-laws!

 We went to the Temple with a bunch of friends one day.  It was so beautiful to see the lights and to walk around and enjoy brownies and hot chocolate.

 It started out with 7 boys and 3 girls.  Excessive, no?  Then some more girls joined us and it was 7 to 5 I think.

 Brownies! Look at Aspen the brownie monster. So cute.

 A princess in her chariot, being escorted up the stairs at the Temple.

 Oh I had a cookie exchange! It was wonderful! The idea is that 12 people bake 12 dozen cookies and then you exchange and end up with 12 varieties.  It didn't work out exactly but we all had a great time.  And Tami came so we all got to hold her baby.  Life was good!

 Jasmine, Tami and Melissa

 We got our tree! It was very exciting.  We went to Costco and they loaded a tree in our car.  Party poopers.  It was a beautiful tree (and cheap) and I think it might be our new boring tradition.

 Cheryl and Katie at the cookie party

 I have no idea what happened to my pictures.  I had them rotated and in order but somehow it didn't translate.  Anyhow, this is Landon all dressed up for his Christmas recital at school.

 Landon and his class singing

 The next night Hunter had his recital at school.  Landon helped give Aspen her bottle.

 We built a temple out of boxes and President and Sister Hales dropped by with Angel Moroni to put on top! It was the perfect completion for our Temple.

 Andrew came with me to Landon's recital and Megan kept Aspen at home.  He may not look like he is having fun, but he said it was his favorite part of the day.

 All the girls at the cookie exchange.  I still am not used to seeing me with brown hair.

 The beautiful sisters and Rebecca!

 Landon's teacher, Ms. Mollgaard is as sweet as they come.

 Ms. Elvia and Ms. Mollgaard sure do love this little guy

 The Polar Express! I was SO excited to take the boys to do this.  Landon, as you know, is obsessed with trains.  We took them to Fillmore to ride a train.  They had a conductor who punched holes in our tickets, gave us chocolate milk and cookies.  Then they met Santa and got "the first gift of Christmas" - a bell.  This was a highlight and I hope we will do it for yrs to come.

 Guess who is here!!!!! Nate and his whole family (of 8) came to visit.  The boys were beyond excited to see him.

 Hunter's recital

 Mrs. Diy and Ms. Roberts

 Nate's sisters + me

 Ready to board the Polar Express

 Hunter and Aspen enjoying the ride with mommy

 Landon was a little groggy.

 After the recital Hunter saw Reese! His good buddy.

 She looooves her big brother (which only made him madder.)

 Daddy loving his little girl

 Landon got his bonefied ticket to ride

 Sharing her cookie with Mr. Grumps

 The Conductor

 Santa

 Her first piece of candy ever.  I love this face!

 The next day we met the Hills at Disneyland.  It was a beautiful day and we had a super time.

 Mini Minnie Mouse

 Oh back to Polar Express, meeting Santa.

 Brian took Aspen back to the car because it dropped into the 40s, but I promised the boys we could meet Santa, so we stayed.

 Me and my snuggle

 Landon beating Brother Hill at arm wrestling

 Aspen learning how to flirt with Nate

 Cousins! On Thursday the Calefs arrived from Boston.  Here are the 5 cousins on the couch.

 And that evening we had the Hills over for dessert again.

 6/8 Hills + 1 George

 Hill boys + Brian

 I love our Sister Missionaries.  They are so sweet and gentle and have a wonderful way of bringing the spirit.  Sadly, one of my favorite missionaries went home early for some personal reasons.  The night before she left, I spoiled her, George style.

 Sisters Bahr and Cox

 Me and Nate! I LOVE this guy.  He's the missionary who baptized Brian.

 Of course they got Christmas gifts!

 We will miss Sister Cox until she comes back to visit (cough cough next month cough cough).

 On Saturday we conducted Operation Candy Cane.  We brought candy canes to downtown Manhattan Beach and the boys gave them out to total strangers.  This month we have been trying to spread love and joy and peace n Earth.  Harder than one might expect with a 4, almost 3 and 1 yr old.  This was perfect.  Who couldn't smile at a little boy handing them a candy cane and saying "Mewwy Cwistmas?"  There was one woman who had been crying when we walked in but greeted us with a "hello".  As Landon walked up to her, she sat up and he handed her a candy cane and said "Happy Cwistmas." She actually wiped away a tear and smiled and said "Merry Christmas! Thank you!" It was a simple thing but it obviously made her day better.  That's the reason for the season, right? To bring love and joy to others just as Jesus did.

 And she's just So darn cute. How do you NOT smile at her?

 Giving out candy canes

 On Sunday we went to look at Christmas lights.  Some of them were beautiful.  Then we got lost.  We actually couldn't find our car for over an hour.  That's because we let the men go find it.  When I went looking we had found it within 10 minutes. It was an adventure and I thought it was great fun.

 The Calefs (Tessa was being onry and isn't in the photo.)

 Hunter and Tessa

 Aspen and Landon

 After Operation Candy Cane

 Hunter and Tessa

 Christmas lighting

 My cute backpack (with Vicki and Sawyer)

 Hunter learned how to use the whipped cream can at Christmas dinner. We are in trouble.

 Hunter loves his little sister.  A lot.

 Loving on Thor

 Christmas dinner!

 My man KNOWS meat. He made a delicious prime rib.

 Landon in my sweatshirt while the Dads were lost looking for the car.

 Nate helping Landon and Aspen with their presents

 Legos!

 The girl cousins.

 Big 5

 Sawyer in his new Lightning McQueen jacket

 The siblings.

 Opening the bouncy house!

 Sword fighting

 Ooooh a race track! Pretty cool!

 Cool! A cash register!

 Coming down the stairs on Christmas morning.

 BIKES!!!!!!

 I love seeing my angels sleep so peacefully.

 Cute little man

 Sweet sleepyhead

 The dogs keeping Santa's booty safe

 Oh wow!!!! It's mommy's car!

 Landon is in love

 Sister gets to go for a ride too

 I love the arm around Hunter. Too funny.

 Landon only wanted Aspen in it with him.

 The boys.

 Hunter is amazing on his 20 inch bike. We've been to the park with it twice since he got it yesterday.

 And we took the Escalade on a drive.  Hunter is getting better.  Landon should have a breathalyzer.

 Such a big boy.  I have a feeling that by the time he is 3.5 he will be riding without training wheels.

 And my love.

 Hunter on his bike! So proud of this big guy!

 Walking all around

 She wants Landon's bike.

 Landon was so tired after we went to the McPhie's on Christmas night that he fell asleep while sitting up, listening to Brian read stories. So sweet.

 Landon rescued my from the tallest tower where there were dragons.  My hero! Swoon.

 This may look like he's being kind, but he's actually telling her all about how it is his bike. Funny stuff.  She wants it.

We had an amazing Christmas.  The kids got everything they could have wanted.  They love their toys, they love sharing their toys with each other and they are definitely fried.  I think we need a few days to settle down and get over the high of all the new things in our house.  I also think that my new present should be throwing out old toys. I did get 2 beautiful pairs of boots.  Brian got a few little things + he gets to fly a G-5 (flight simulator) and he got a Raptor remote control airplane. The highlight of Christmas, for me, was watching the kids hand out candy canes and watching their faces light up on Christmas morning when they got the "car they could drive" and their bikes.  The low was definitely having a sick baby.  She's usually so happy and I hate seeing her sad.

Hunter says the best part of Christmas was when he saw he got a car that he could drive. Landon says the best part of Christmas was riding on his bike and going to Anderson park. I know this time with them is fleeting.  I hope we're creating great memories with them. I don't think I can say it enough - I love these little angels and my one and only partner in crime, Brian.  Merry Christmas!