christmas 2011

We had such a great Christmas this year.  It was a little different because we didn't have any family around, but after I changed my expectations about what Christmas is supposed to be like, we made some fun plans and had a great time. 

Christmas eve we spent with some friends from church, had a great dinner and watched the kids act out the nativity.  It was such a great evening.



Kade and Ky had been reminding me all day that they get to open one present on Christmas Eve, because it's a rule.  I explained to them that it wasn't a rule, but a fun tradition, so of course they got to open their Christmas jammies that night.  Kade and Ky got Transformers pajamas, Krew got football pajamas, and Bart got grey plaid pajama pants. 

One of the very best gifts I've ever received:

Christmas morning, after all the gifts were opened, we all had a few hours to play with our new toys.  Bart set up the Hot Wheels track that goes on the wall, while I curled my hair with my new curling iron.  We all went to church together (something that never happens now that Bart is in the Bishopric), and although he didn't get to sit by us, I enjoyed listening to his impromptu help with the Christmas program!

After church we played some more and got things ready for our Mexican Christmas dinner.  Bart had been talking to his Mexican patients and co-workers and learned that for them, it's not Christmas dinner unless they are having tamales and posole.  So, he arranged to have some made for us.  We invited our friends, Derrick and Brittney Rust to join us in our Mexican Christmas Dinner since they were without family this year too.  It was a fun evening, and although we missed being with our families, we all decided it was a great Christmas!

Below are a few videos of Kade and Ky opening their stockings and gifts from Santa.  Watch them if you have a few minutes, or if you just miss Kade and Ky and want to hear their cute voices!