My Life...Unedited: Christmas Festivities

I think photos are infinitely more fun than a detailed description of what we did.
Here they are:

We made the all-important Ginger Bread House. It was hard to stay focused on making instead of eating. Spencer didn't focus...he begged until I finally had to put him down for a nap, on a sugar high.

Okay, okay, I had some fun too...but not at my kid's expense...they did all they wanted--I hope.


Shortly after, the house suffered what all do...being eaten in less time than it took to make it!!!

Turns out I didn't take pictures like I thought I did. So in brief, other highlights of our week:
Parker made a scripture scroll with scriptures he found himself relating to the birth of Jesus or prophecies about it....amazing kid.
Tyson and I made snowmen with a toilet paper tube, cotton balls and other kitchen items (like beans and pretzels).
Tyson made a little manger thing where we were supposed to do good things to get enough hay for baby Jesus. (Easier to make it than do good things...apparently.)
Josh helped the boys make sugar cookies on Christmas Eve. They loved it. And we all love eating them!! No frosting needed.

Now, then, here's Christmas Morning!!!
The BEST gift, in my humble opinion, was that Parker and Tyson were very centered on it being Jesus' birth we were celebrating. Parker insisted we have a prayer first thing that morning, and said it himself, so we could all remember the best gift of Christmas, and our lives. I had a very special experience the night before that truly made Christmas what it ought to be...and I was MOST thankful for a house full of little boys (and big) who are healthy, happy, full of love and energy, and who are mine...that was my favorite gift this year.

Excited little boys that waited clear 'til 7:30 to start the craze.

Parker was SOOO thrilled to get a transformer costume that he wore it ALL day...seriously.

Spencer HAD to have his morning banana, mixed with a few presents.

Ahhh, yeah. There he is...the 80's cop.

Costume man, and fave present.

Two little guys and their new car tower! (Spencer was about to cough.)

Tyson started working on a lego set right away. Spencer is standing there waiting to help and showing off his new slippers. Costume man also shown here.

Parker convinced him and Kaden to have a Transformer war (there's Kade as Prime in the background).

In the mean time, I made hash browns and eggs with Portabella mushrooms and amazing sausage, and Josh made waffles...mmmm I love me a Christmas breakfast (thanks for the memories Dad).

It's all about the waffles and Dad sharing his Christmas Nutella gift.

A shovel would help.

His BIG TWUCK!!!

My favorite present this year...I got it to encourage slave labor. Clearly I am wise.

Parker's new personal ATM bank. His money is safe inside waiting for our post-Christmas clearance shopping!! All the boys got banks. They may have a hard time spending though...they like the saving part!