Christmas Morning

The kids are anxiously waiting to see what Santa brought them.

The kids in front of the Christmas tree

Brayden and Spencer got lots of train tracks, bridges, mountains, a roudhouse and battery operated trains for Christmas.

Spencer wore his new Mickey Mouse helmet from Grandma Diane all morning.

The kids also got another scooter from Santa for Christmas. We had a great Christmas, but forgot to take many pictures. We had our neighbors, the Briggs, over for Christmas dinner. It was a great day.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we always read and act out the Christmas story.

Brayden is the shepherd.

I was Mary (with the baby really under my shirt).

Spencer is Joseph, and he insisted that he ride the donkey and hold baby Jesus.

Kayla is the Angel

Allen was the wise man and the narrator

Every year we all have a cup of egg nog, and in one of the cups, there is a ring. Whoever gets the ring is the king or queen of Christmas. That person gets to open their one Christmas Eve present first and gets to dress up and take a picture.

Brayden got the ring last year, and Kayla was clearly disappointed. (I deleted the picture on accident and don't know how to add it anywhere but at the top. Brayden was holding the ring and smiling and Kayla had a frown so big it looked like it was drawn on.) So Allen said, "Kayla, what's that" to divert her attention and then dropped the ring into her cup. We probably should have rigged it so that Kayla got the ring, but instead we had both a king and a queen this year.

Brayden

Kayla

King Brayden and Queen Kayla

Spencer actually didn't pay any attention to the whole king/queen thing and opened his present first - he got a battery operated train from Grandpa Jim and Mary. Thanks! Kayla and Brayden both opened their lego boxes from Grandma Diane. Thanks!

Gingerbread Style Graham Cracker Houses

We invited a few of the other dentists that Allen works with and their families over to make gingerbread houses with us, but it was snowing so much that day that only the Briggs, who live right next to us, were able to make it.

Ben and Brayden

Spencer ate way too much candy that night while Allen decorated a house for him.

Of course the best part of decorating a house is eating it the next day!

Yum!

SNOW

Spencer sledding

Spencer and Brayden with the first snowman of the year. (There have been 6 since.)

We have had a ton of snow this year. It has been a lot of fun for the kids. Ben and Delaney, who live in the house behind ours, came over and played with the kids one afternoon during Christmas break.

Spencer and Ben with a snowman we built.

Delaney and Kayla after sleding into the ditch behind our house.

Ready, set, go Kayla!

Brayden

Spencer hiding under the castle

Rudolf Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese sandwich with raisins for eyes, pretzel antlers and a cherry tomato nose.

Hockey

Allen has been playing hockey on Monday nights, and one Monday night after our quick family home evening, Brayden said, "Daddy please don't go." He had his stuff all ready, but he decided to listen to our cute 4-year-old. The kids wanted to see what is in dad's giant hockey bag, and he let them try on all of his gear.

Allen wanted me to try it on too.

Brayden and Kayla both fit in dad's hockey shorts at the same time.

It was a little hard for them to get out of the shorts.

Christmas Parties

Spencer wouldn't go anywhere near Santa's lap, but he was still happy to receive a gift from him.

Brayden and Santa

Kayla and Santa. She got a toy keyboard.


Brayden got a toy guitar from Santa (two strings broke in the first week).

Spencer got a toy drum.

Allen and I at the dental christmas party.