We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This year for Christmas.........(thanks blogger for the crazy order these are in)
We got a new Roller Coaster! How much fun!
Austin and Lily opening the Roller Coaster
WOW look at that box! How did Santa fit that on his sleigh?
A new pink doll house!
How he LOVED his gifts..see he's hugging them :)
Lily got SIX new princess barbies. Don't you know you can NEVER have enough Disney barbies? Its true.
That face is priceless!
Another barbie for Lily!
Lily opening her doll house, Austin helping. What are big brothers for?
HA!!!! look Santa found us!!! and boy those kids must have been SUPER DUPER good!
Now with the lights off....beautiful!
This Christmas season we went to the Festival of Lights! All the kids and some lucky dads got to sit in the back of Grandpa Burr's truck. If that isn't cool, I don't know what is.

Austin got a Coon skin hat. He put it on first thing Christmas morning, and has had it on ever since. Except to sleep, bathe and school, but then it goes right back on. Oh I couldn't be happier!
Christmas Eve we had meat fondue. Lily of coarse, ate "noodle Soup." Since that is her main staple. She might starve if it weren't for Top Ramen....(gag)
mmmm.....fried steak
in the pot..nothing says Christmas eve like boiling hot oil.
A blurry picture of the whole gang...excluding the camera girl.
We made my moms best caramel popcorn you will ever eat in your whole life, caramel popcorn.
We made Gingerbread houses! Our dapper gentlemen, well, dapper gingerbread gentlemen. Those are an Austin original.
The whole house
We watched A LOT of Christmas movies...Lily watching the Polar Express
Ho ho ho! Grandpa made our Santa with a beard of white.
Twinkle the elf came on Christmas eve and brought some books to read.
Me and my awesome little guy!
Lily LOOK at the camera!!
Twinkle the elf came! That tricky little elf! She wasn't caught again this year! Jammie's and books and a few little prizes!

Exchanging family gifts (The after)
The Before

I LOVED Christmas this year. LOVED it. I put our tree and decorations up early, like the week before Thanksgiving early. We watched our favorite Christmas shows everyday. Listened to Christmas music and mostly ONLY Christmas music everyday. And when it came time to take it all down, I was absolutely NOT ready. I'm not sure why this Christmas was so different. I always love Christmas, but this year, I was soooo into the Spirit of Christmas. I couldn't even read a Christmas book, religious or not, with out tearing up. One part that really hit me hard this year, was the song Silent Night. We talked about it in my Primary class, and it really painted the picture for me of how that first Christmas really was. And the peace and quite, and the calm that must have been felt. And the wait to see the star, after so many years knowing it would be there, but still waiting. Then to finally see it shining so bright. I just cant even imagine the joy and how that felt to know that the Savior had been born. I love this verse from one of my (many) favorite primary songs I have learned since serving in the primary.

Hosanna Hosanna oh let us gladly sing, how blessed that our Lord has come, let Earth receive her King.

I also loved the magic of Christmas this year. Seeing it in my kids eyes is priceless. There is nothing better then being a child at Christmas time. I love the magic that Santa brings, the anticipation, and the pure joy of seeing that pile of gifts under the tree. Christmas was always a truly magical experience in my home growing up, and I am doing everything I can to give my children that magic. It is something that I still hold in my heart, and will always keep it there.

Then there is spending time with our families. It was so much fun to surround myself with all the people I love the most. My family has grown so much this last year. With all we have lost, we have gained 100 times in the love, joy, pride and closeness that we have gained. 2011 you were a wonderful year!!