Christmas Day

Such a wonderful Christmas Day! Our boys are not early risers and Christmas morning was no different. They came in around 8:00 to get us up and going. While I waited in my room with the boys, Kevin went downstairs to get things ready. He turned on the Christmas tree lights and got the video camera set. (He forgot to turn on the Christmas music so I did that after I came down. I don't know why I like those Christmas songs playing while we unwrap presents, but I do!). He called us down and Rylan, Asher, and I headed down together. (I don't remember if Tyce was awake at this point or if he woke up shortly after.)
There was a bit of hesitation as we made our way downstairs, but when Ry saw his instruments from Santa, he was so excited! He immediately picked up his trumpet and started making some music. Yeah for Santa! Asher got a dinosaur from Dinosaur Train which he liked well enough. He seemed to just kind of wander around a bit. Maybe he was taking it all in :)

We got to work on the presents and it was all just so exciting. I think since Ry already had his much anticipated instruments, he was so grateful for each gift he got to open. I knew he would be happy about his Gears Trio blocks...I'm excited for them, too! Asher was also great at being excited and having fun opening his gifts. I think his race track was the most exciting for him.

Tyce had all sorts of entertainment!

Kevin and I also had a few gifts to open. We weren't going to get each other gifts, thinking we were going to buy a van before Christmas and that would be our gift to each other. But, that didn't happen so we were both scrambling for last minute gifts :)

The Aftermath. Yep, we had fun!

Our church starts at 11:00 so after opening gifts and enjoying the morning we quickly got ready. Kevin and the boys all got matching ties recently and they were all so SO handsome!

Church was fantastic. We only had sacrament meeting and it was really good. The songs were all so beautiful--by the congregation but especially by the choir. The bishop spoke about different levels of the Christmas spirit. He talked about the Santa Clause excitement and how we grow to enjoy Christmas for the true reason--Jesus Christ. And how serving and loving and celebrating for our Savior truly brings us joy and love for our fellow men. It was all so wonderful and it was all too short!

Oh, so handsome!!

We came home to relax and enjoy the day before heading to the Holman's for some family time.

Rylan brought his instruments with him to the Holman's. We had our own little band during the (noisy) car ride!

We had a delicious traditional Christmas dinner at the Holman's and had a great time talking. Grandma and Grandpa had gifts for the kids (and adults--wahoo!!) Rylan was super excited about his new play dough pizza maker and Asher was thrilled with his dinosaur pillow pet! Oh, I do love to see that happiness on my kids faces! We gave my parents their gifts as well. Then we let the kids have fun together while the adults got to play some fun games.
It was such a wonderful day and really maybe my favorite Christmas in many years. I can't even explain the joy I have in my heart. It's such a special time to spend with family and to celebrate the birth of our Savior. It's only through Him that I am able to have the joys of my life--my children and husband.