This Christmas was great (there never is a bad Christmas). TJ got time off from work for a few days and we were able to do some fun family stuff. On Christmas Eve we went to TJ's parents house to spend the night. The Shaw's, the Fredrickson's, and the Garrett's were all there too (Jamie and her family didn't sleep over). We had our "Target" $10 gift exchange which was not as fun as last year due to the fact that I had nothing of Chelsea's to give away. We played some MarioKart and Just Dance and had our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve so that we wouldn't have to cook it with church being on Christmas. Chelsea and Thomas put on a great program for us and the kids really listened and we all felt the Spirit. We put our cookies out for Santa and sent the kids to bed. We stayed up late talking and laughing with everyone which is probably my favorite part. And of course I am the party pooper and am always the first to say I am going to bed. The kids didn't wake up too early on Christmas and they were so excited to go see what Santa brought them. I can see how EASY it is to spoil your kids and buy them everything just to see their faces light up. However they don't need too much and I think less is more. Santa brought each girl 3 things and TJ and I gave 4 gifts to each girl and that is it. I even told my mom and TJ's mom to keep it to ONE gift per child. My mom tried and got 2 per kid and Mona gave 3 each. It just makes TOO many toys when you add it all up and it's easy for them to expect more. Maybe next year they will stick to just one.
Lexi got a bike from Grandma and Grandpa Lee
Tallie got Legos from Santa (huge hit)
For both TJ and Tallie
Tallie made and wrapped TJ like 5 gifts. She must love him more than me...I got one. This is a paper belt and crown made out of a napkin. Very creative.
Lexi got a bunny pillow pet from mom and dad.
This is ALL Chloe wanted!!! Her dreams came true when Santa brought her a Doodle Bear. And let me just say I have not seen little Chloe so happy and carefree for a long time as she was at Grandma's house. She hardly cried and was just so happy. And not even about the toys and stuff. When everyone else left and it was just us she begged to stay one more night. We did and I am so glad she convinced us.
Tallie got a Scooter from Santa so she can stop borrowing Chloe's.
Chloe just LOVES grandpa! She loves to sit with him and cuddle and be whereever he is.
TJ got me way too many things (as usual) and as usual always does a great job. The one thing I LOVE LOVE LOVE is the picture of my 3 beautiful girls blown up huge on a canvas! Totally had no idea about this one and I got a tear in my eye when I opened it. Mad props to Teej for that one.
I reached my goal of reading the Doctrine and Covenants before Christmas. It feels really good to have set that goal and accomplish it. I need to set more goals all throughout the year but especially during Christmas time because it really helped me to focus on the real reason we celebrate and to not get too caught up in the world's view of Christmas.
I forgot to mention that TJ's parents gave each of their kids $1000.
HOLY MOLY I KNOW!
They did say it would be nice to have visitors visit them in Hawaii but that the money is ours to do with what we choose. Depending on how pregnant I am or if I have a new born we may or may not go. Until then the money will sit in our basement fund. So very grateful for Bob and Mona and their love and generosity.
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