Christmas 2013

 Phew!!  Brace yourselves for a ton of photos.  It has been an amazing holiday season for our family.  We did so much together this year and I loved every minute of it.  It's so fun now that my kids are a little older and enjoy more things.  So here we go.  

First, we went to Burger Stop's hayride.  They had a really great deal on meeting Santa, taking a picture with him and going on a hayride through Layton City Park where there was this awesome display.

 Parker was excited to sit on Santa's lap this year which was a first.  Colson still wanted nothing to do with him.  I asked if he wanted to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas and he said no.

 While we were waiting to go on the hayride, they had this little tent with a heater in it, so we chilled out in there for a few minutes.

 They gave candycanes to the kids and we all piled on.  It was super cold that night, so I brought a blanket and we all climbed under it. 

 Even Sawyer got in on the action.  I think he was sweating under all the blankets, snow pants, coats and hats we had him in.

 It was really fun and the kids loved it.  The lights at Layton City Park were great too.  I was impressed.

 The Monday before Christmas, my brother Travis and his family arrived at our house.  All the older girls got dressed up and headed to the Nutcracker at Capitol Theater in Salt Lake. 

 We met Aunt Alli, Nana, Aunt Heather and her sweet girls Elsa and Beca there.  It was Ava's first time seeing the Nutcracker and we had great seats.  Rachel was less impressed.  She was super happy when it was over.

 Afterwards, we met up with the men and other kids at Olive Garden for dinner.  They put us in a party room which was really nice.  I didn't feel like we were so loud and going to bug someone.

 After that, we headed to see the lights at Temple square.  It was the first time I had ever been.  It was so pretty!  It was also SO packed!  There were SO SO SO many people there.  I couldn't believe it. 

 It was madness.  But, it was fun.  The reflection pond with the nativity in it was really pretty.  Parker was a little confused and kept saying, "I want to go to the activity." 

 Sawyer stayed all bundled up and fell asleep party way through the stroll.  What a good baby.

 The next day was Christmas Eve.  Aunt Alli brought hats for all the kiddos.

 This picture of Parker and Rachel cracks me up.

 All the kiddos ready for fondue!!  They had their own pot and did really well.  No one got burned and everyone was full.

 Colson is so stinking cute!  Love that kid!!

 Alli also brought poppers for the adults.  We all got crowns and a little gift inside.  It was fun!

 Nice Aunt Alli!

 Then afterwards, it was time for Polar Express.  All the kids got to open some Christmas pj's and a pillowcase to sleep on after.

 Even Aunt Alli got new PJ's.  (ps-I made all the pj's for the kids)

 Sawyer looked so cute in his 1st Christmas jammies.

 Here are all the kiddos ready to have their ticket punched and go on the polar express.

 Eating treats and punched tickets, with Christmas music.

 Santa came that night too.  The kids made a haul!

 Parker really liked his new Super hero blanket for his bed.

 He also loved his new Captain America doll.  Ava got lots of art supplies and a loom bracelet kid.

 Nana made hats and scarves for all the grandkids.  Sawyer got this super cute hat with ear flaps.

 He enjoyed opening his presents and playing with his new toys.

 Daniel has been working on this gift for my parents for a few years.  He finally had time to finish it this year.  He carved the wood and everything. 

 It's always a good sign when you make Nana cry with a great Christmas gift!

Merry Christmas to all!!  We look forward to a great year in 2014!