Christmas 2012

While scrolling through Facebook on Christmas Eve, I came along this photo:

I re-posted it, wistfully wishing it would only be One Day More until I would see the film.  But alas, Matt and I rarely make it to the movie theater because I am so picky about Babysitters.  Like, I only leave them with family.  Or my friend Tiffany, who is practically family. :)    My wonderful Matthew found out that there was a 10 pm showing of Les Mis on Christmas Eve!  It is important to not the distinction between a 10 pm showing and a midnight showing.  I mean, we aren't teenagers anymore.  I can't do movies that start at midnight.  Matt also realized that since the kids would be sleeping soundly in their beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, it would be a pretty easy baby sitting job for GiGi!  So, my wonderful Mom agreed to stay with them while we headed out to the movie!!  

(It is at this point that I was incredibly thankful that I made Matt stay  up late with me on the 23rd to get ribbons on everything!)  So My super tall and handsome elf Matt and I stuffed all the stockings with care, arranged all the gifts around the tree....

and ran to the movie theater to see Les Miserables!  Raegan, Jude and Natalie met us there so we could all see it together!  I was incredibly glad that Raegan was sitting next to me, because every time I cried, she cried; which made me feel less of a drama queen.  Anyhow, if you haven't seen Les Mis yet, Go!  It is incredible.  I will offer two points to you:

• Whenever I see the musical, I feel that the vocalists offer as much emotion as possible without compromising their singing and vocals.  In the film, they let the singing be compromised to tell the story with as much emotion as possible.  (With the exception of Russell Crowe; he sang terribly and still had no emotion)
• I would not buy or listen to the Soundtrack, but I would buy the movie.  GO SEE IT!

Now, where were we?  Oh yes.  Christmas!  So it turned out being a double bonus having my Mom here Christmas Eve, because when my kids woke up at 7, they ran down to her room instead of waking us and she held them off for another hour.  Thanks, Mom!

We started with Stockings!

And then presents!

Daphne got a a Merida Barbie Doll (from the movie Brave)

Isaac is such an easy -going kid!  He rarely asks for things.  He is easily amused and typically content.  It is One of my favorite things about him (and is a characteristic gleaned from his Dad).  So, when he mentioned that he wanted a Nerf Cross Bow, I took the time to write it down.  His wonderful GiGi got him one for Christmas and he was totally stoked!

Victoria wanted lots of Barbies for Christmas and particularly asked for one with pink hair. She was just tickled pink when she got it!  (I know- terrible joke.)  This is why you should not do 6 months worth of blogging in 2 weeks.  You run out of clever things to say!

Daphne was so thoughtful this year.  She used her tokens at school to get a book for Isaac rather than herself and saved it for Christmas.  She made a calendar for Matt and me as our Christmas gifts.  She used her hard-earned money to purchase a book for her cousin, Abbie.  And Daphne worked for over a month writing this book about Tori and She as fairies.  She decorated it with Lolly Pops and gave it to Victoria for Christmas.  I was so inspired by her thoughtfulness.  I don't make my kids get each other gifts or tell them to do so, she did this all on her own and it warmed my heart! 

Speaking of Daphne:  She really, really really, really wanted an IPOD touch, but Matt and I both felt like she is too young for something like that.  First of all, it's unnecessary.  Secondly, she wold have internet access all the time and I don't feel comfortable with it being right at her fingertips just yet.  Thirdly, that's a very pricey gift for an 8 year old.  BUT... she is always borrowing my phone to listen to music, and loves to choreograph  dances to her favorite songs.  So, Matt searched around and found her a turquoise mp3 player and her own speakers.  She loves it!  

Matt was pretty helpful with the gift giving this year!  He found a crazy good deal on this Skylanders Giants starter Pack, and Isaac was thrilled!

We also got a big keyboard for all three of them.  Daphne and Isaac really want to start taking piano lessons and we needed a way for them to practice until we are ready to buy a piano!

And last, but not lest, my wonderful husband bought me bar stools.  I know it may seem kinda lame, but I almost cried when I found out (which unfortunately was a few weeks ago.)  It has seriously changed my life to be able to have them use the counter for breakfast and lunch so I don't have to clean the table 4 or 5 times a day!  They were delivered early in December and Matt thought that I saw the boxes so he just started putting them together since it wouldn't be a surprise anymore .  I was so impressed with his thoughtfulness and told him I wouldn't use them until Christmas anyway.  So, he put them each together and then wrapped each one! On Christmas morning, I finally opened them!  Thanks, Matt!  I love them!

(Do you like my super hot Christmas morning look?)

Unfortunately, I was having so much fun that I didn't take any pictures!  All of these are shots Matt captured for me, which is a bummer because I didn't get any of the kids with GiGi this day.  But suffice it to say that we were so grateful to have her here!  The kids were so bummed when she had to leave Christmas night; especially Victoria.  She wouldn't stop crying, so Daphne sat down and read her some Christmas stories.  Unfortunately, we should have just kept GiGi with us, because her plane was delayed and she got stuck in Denver for the night.  Bummer!

I pray that you and your family had a blessed holiday; that your day was full of family, friends and most importantly: a sure knowledge of the Savior and His unending love for you.