Happy New Year!

We have had a busy but incredibly fun few weeks. We celebrated Christmas a day early so that we could fly to Las Vegas Christmas Eve and spend 10 days there.

Each Christmas that we've lived here we've hosted Christmas dinner, and we were a little sad to not be able to do that this year, so Sunday night (our Christmas Eve) we invited a few families over to eat dinner with us. Tow years now our traditional Christmas Eve dinner has been a variety of finger foods. None of my kids complain about that!:)

After all our friends went home we talked and read Luke 2. We take the time to each bear our testimonies, it's not easy for the younger girls- but it's good for them to get practice at sharing what they know to be true.

7:00 am all 4 kids were wide awake and anxious to come downstairs. Baylee kept saying she thought Santa forgot her. I don't know why, maybe she thought she was a little too rotten at times.:) But, as they all came down she was happy to see she was not forgotten. We decided to change things up a little this year- Santa only leaves the stocking and 3 gifts. After many many questions of why Santa leaves sooo much for our kids- why can't he leave any for other kids. We decided Santa can leave 3 gifts and the stocking- but the rest of the gifts are from us. I worried the kids may be a little sad to only see a few gifts by their stockings- but I was worried for nothing- they were all happy and excited with what they had.

 

Each child had a couple gifts inside their stocking along with candy. Lexi got the Bath and Body Works spray she's been wanting. Ashlee got the traditional bag of make up they get the Christmas they are 11. Carly got a new doll stand, and 3 pairs of shoes for her American Girl doll. Baylee got 6 necklaces in hers.

With our upcoming trip to Las Vegas we told the girls Christmas would be smaller this year. I think I like it small. In the past they all seem a little overwhelmed with what to play with or use first. This year there was no overwhelming chaos- it was really calm.
Lexi got a three outfits, two pairs of boots, Vera Bradley scripture case, a new CTR ring. Ashlee got three outfits, watches, a Kindle Fire, and a pair of boots. Carly got her beloved McKenna American Girl doll, a doll bed, and matching clothes for her and her doll, a dreamlite, and an outfit, along with a couple different toys for her other American Girl doll. Baylee got a new scooter, an outfit for her and her doll, another outfit, a dreamlite, a baby doll, a few things for her Bitty Baby, and a Doc McStuffins doctor kit. There are a few things I've forgotten, but those were their favorite things. 

Because we have a live tree we had to take that down before our trip. That was a little depressing! While I finished getting breakfast on the table Darrell and the girls were taking ornaments down.

Later Darrell took the girls to their traditional movie while I stayed home and packed. It was Baylee's first time going to the movie- she told Darrell, "This TV is waaay bigger then ours!"

We flew out at 9:05, and while waiting to check in at the airport a news man came up and asked if he could interview us. I made Darrell be the spokesperson- I had no desire to do it. Three of our girls were so excited- Lexi on the other hand did not want to be. We weren't ever able to see what aired- we heard it was Darrell talking and then they showed us waiting in line as a family. But it was a fun experience anyway.