Christmas 2009

Since we moved to Montana we developed a tradition of going to Grandma Yearsley's house every year for Christmas so we (Greg's family, my family, our Mom, Aunt, Grandparents etc.) could all be together. As Christmas approached we all knew that this year was going to be VERY hard for everyone without Greg there, but Christmas was his FAVORITE holiday so we knew we had to make it a good one in his honor.

Jake and I left December 23rd after Jake got off work to head out for Boise. We were really hoping and praying for good roads and after we got to the top of Boulder Hill it was clear sailing from there. As hard as it was to go back to Boise I was sooooo excited to see my family. On the way we stopped in at Jake's sister's house to visit for a little bit and that was nice. We didn't stay too long though because it was getting late. We hurried and exchanged Christmas Presents and got back on our way. When we got to my Mom's house (about midnight) Heather and the kids were there. They were soooo sweet greeting me with a HUGE hug when I walked in. We stayed up for a little while and talked and then we finally decided to go to bed.

On Christmas Eve we did some last minute shopping and went to my Grandma's house for a Christmas Eve dinner. Now I have to say I look forward to this every year. I love sitting and talking with my family. We are all such story tellers that it is sooooo fun. After that we came home and the kids opened their 1 Christmas Eve present (always PJ's).

The kids excited to open their present
Hurrying to rip them open (well everyone except Kaden who was trying to find every little piece of tape to take off and not rip the paper)

I love Aspynn's face as she ripped the PJ's out of the box

Showing us her new Tinker Bell PJ's

Saige was soooo cute....she laid her PJ's out so nicely to see them

As you can tell Kaden LOVED the new Transformer PJ's

Aren't they sooooo cute in their new PJ's.

After opening our new PJ's the kids wanted to go online and check NORAD to see where Santa was. After checking that the kids wanted to hurry and get to bed so they wouldn't be awake when Santa got there. After they went to bed Heather and the kids showed up and checked NORAD as well and then they went to bed.

CHRISTMAS MORNING 2009

Looks like Santa's sleigh exploded in my Mom's Family Room (actually this is Christmas for
15 people so it's not as bad as it looks)

Kaden LOVES Bakugan's and was sooooo excited to get more

Saige got this new little outfit from Grandma Yearsley for Christmas and she was sooooo excited about it!!

Aspynn loves to play the Wii and was sooo excited to get a new game

Now if Aspynn loves the Wii then Kaden worships it!! He was thrilled to get Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games

Saige isn't such a big fan of the Wii, but she LOVES animals so she was excited about this game!!

Aunt Heather and the kids got this for Aspynn and as you can tell she LOVES it.

Kaden was soooo excited about the new Bakugan 7 in 1 Daganoid. Apparently it is SUPER COOL!!

Saige's new Sunday dress from Aunt Kari. We LOVE the new Sunday dresses!!

Aspynn and her new Sunday Dress

Kaden loves Webkins so he was really excited to get a neopet to try that also

Saige and her Zhu Zhu Pets (and no I am not one of the crazies that spent over $40 on one of these. I waited and paid the regular store price).

Aspynn loves Aurora and was really excited about this Aurora Barbie and computer game

Great Grandpa & Grandma always get the kids slippers and they LOVE them!!

For Christmas this year I sent the kids to the Christmas Store at school to buy things for one another and this is what Kaden picked out for Saige. She was sooooo excited!! And better yet, Kaden was even more excited because he knew he had gotten her something she would love!! I love teaching the kids about the spirit of giving.

This Aerial Vanity was also a hit. All the girls LOVED it. It got a lot of use!!

All in all Christmas went really well. We all missed Greg and his careful unwrapping of the Christmas presents and how he always asked the kids to show him what they got and ask who it was from. I guess we will have to be more diligent in making sure the kids know who things are from next year because without Greg doing that, after Christmas no one knew who anything was from.

I am so thankful for that Christmas Spirit we all posses around the holidays. Taking the opportunity to remember the birth of our Savior. Trying without thinking to do what he would want us to do. Following his example in a more natural way. I am thankful for this time of year. It will always be bitter sweet knowing that Greg wont be there with us sitting around the Christmas tree, but the opportunity that we have to remember our Savior during this time is always a blessing.