Christmas Happenings 2012

I wasn't going to blog about Christmas and one of the main reasons was because of my attitude.  I'm ashamed to say that my attitude was not very Joyful and I felt bothered by the whole season.  Christmas Eve and Christmas day were the worst for my attitude, and no matter how hard I tried to be happy I wasn't feeling "it" at all.  As I look back, I wonder what was so different about this last Christmas versus Christmas in the past when I could hardly stand the anticipation like a child.  I think most of it had to do with working.  I didn't have any time off and I had to work my 6 hours on Christmas Eve AND Christmas day.  Even though I was at home, I felt sorry for myself that I had to work.  Since working it has put a time crunch on EVERYTHING.  I felt rushed to get the Christmas decorations up, to get my Christmas shopping done and all the presents wrapped, and in this rush I forgot the most important thing about Christmas.  CHRIST.   I have since repented and I'm determined to have the spirit in my heart and home throughout this next year.  Despite my attitude, that kids had a very fun Christmas, we don't have any pictures of them opening their presents, though Jeff did get video.

My sister and her family came over for Christmas Eve, so after I was done working that day I scurried around to get some last minute things done.  We had appetizers, and I had prepared most of it ahead of time.  The kids did the Nativity while Ian read in the scriptures.  We sang some songs and had a great time visiting.  All the kids were eager to get to bed and wait for Santa to come.

Christmas morning arrived and the kids aren't allowed to come out of their rooms until we tell them that they can.  We made Ian sleep on Morgan's floor so that he couldn't sneak up from the basement and take a peek.  I got up early to use the bathroom and had heard them in there talking. I went back to bed though hoping that they would go back to sleep.  It wasn't too long before they were ready to start the day.  Jeff headed downstairs with the video camera so he could capture there reactions.

Morgan got a Leap Pad from Santa, she LOVES it and spends most of her free time playing with it.  She is in the process of earning some money to buy some more apps for it.  She also got another book for her Leap Tag.  She got some new shoes (sketchers lights), some funky socks, new mittens and pants

Santa also brought the family an XBOX 360 with kinect.  We have loved playing the games on it.  I think Morgan's favorite it the Dance Central game (mine too).

Ian was super excited to see the XBOX 360.  He has wanted one for a few years now, and we told him that it was just too much money to spend.  We had convinced him that this is something that he probably wouldn't get unless he saved his money for it. He got the latest Halo game and he and Jeff spent most of the day playing together.  I think Jeff was just as excited about the XBOX as Ian was.   Ian also got some new Vans (shoes), glove, socks, boxers and sweat pants.

Since we bought an expensive family gift, I told Jeff that we shouldn't get each other gifts.  I knew he wasn't going to listen and he bought me gifts anyway.  I got some new bowls, pyrex dishes and some fun things to add to my Christmas village.

Earlier in the month Morgan had her Christmas recital for dance.  She danced to an Island Christmas song.  She was a lot more shy on stage this recital than she had been in the past, but she did a fantastic job.  We love watching her blossom in her talent.