Christmas Eve and Christmas

Christmas Eve was a very quiet day. We had sacrament meeting at 1:00 so there was lots of time before and after for down time. We usually get a picture of everyone in their Sunday best but this year I only got a picture of Sienna. She didn't end up wearing this church because it was bugging her. She is her mother's daughter.
The Christmas program was beautiful and such a great way to start off the holiday. It's important to remember whey we celebrate Christmas. I'm so grateful for the Savior's life.

That night we went to Grandpa and Grandma Lowry's for some great-grand kid fun. After some singing, Charlie the monkey came out and gave all the grand kids a present. It was amazing that all of my kids received their present graciously and were not shy.

We aren't huge fans of eggnog so we had hot chocolate when we got home. Notice the duct tape on Sienna's wrapped present. The wrapping paper was shiny and smooth. Normal scotch tape did not stick to it. It was like trick wrapping paper and should have been sold in a shop with pranks and practical jokes. I wrapped all of the kids Christmas pjs with this wrapping paper one night before bed. This was before I knew the tape wouldn't stick. I had all the gifts wrapped sitting at the end of my bed. As I was falling asleep I could hear all of the tape coming unstuck. So it took a lot of duct tape to keep them wrapped the next day.

The kids did a nativity and were very energetic and wild. It will be a fun video to watch when they are teenagers.

We got to have Grandma and Grandpa Lowry join us for Christmas this year. Hopefully it wasn't too crazy for them. The energy of five excited kids can be like trying to get a sip of water from a fire hydrant.

James woke up at 6:00 and patiently waited for everyone else to wake up. It took the others a lot longer to get up. Lynnlee and Sienna were the last to wake up at 7:45. They were so excited to go downstairs.

Then let the chaos begin....they moved all of the presents from the front room to the family room. Everyone took turns opening their presents and it was probably the best year we've had so far. The minis can open presents and they are excited and understand what is going on.

Santa surprised us with some smaller kayaks since the kids had so much fun last summer.

Christmas breakfast was french toast, eggs, bacon and orange juice. I set the table the night before and that was so helpful. I usually don't do that and then the kids start playing with their Christmas presents and the table is a mess. I will hopefully remember to set it the night before next year.

Sienna was pretty excited about matching her doll.

Lynnlee got a pom pom pet craft kit. Grandma Lowry helped her make a bunny.

We went to Heber later that day for dinner. The kids played in the snow and with cousins and then we came back home.