Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Christmas 2014

Just like every year, we had a lot going on this Christmas. We love being surrounded by family here, but it sure keeps us hopping during the holidays! :)
 A few days before Christmas Darcy and Ezra were so excited to help me do the dishes. They seriously had a great time. Ezra had never had this priviledge before and he loves playing in the water, so he thought this was some kind of party.
 
Ezra got to run Grandpa Neil's train for the first time this year and he thought that was quite a treat!

This boy loves trains.
 

 While we sat and watched the train Darcy and Parks had a fun little chat.
 
This was the Sunday before Christmas when all the kids got to wear their new Christmas outfits, and Darcy got to sing with the primary in sacrament meeting.
 
We went to my parents' house after church and I took some pictures of Haley and Brian's family in their Christmas church outfits. Soo cute!!
 

 I wondered how Parks would handle the Christmas tree this year. He played with it a little, but it really wasn't too bad. For the most part he would just go lay beneath it and talk to it. We thought it was pretty cute.
 
 Christmas morning at our house. Ezra got a firetruck from Santa and both boys thought it was pretty exciting.
 


 Darcy with her gift from Parks
 
Santa granted Darcy her Christmas wish and came through with an Elsa dress that she loves. She has worn it every day since she got it.

 Drew and I got Darcy a little stamp/marker/craft set that she immediately sat down to use. I love watching her in her crafty element.
 
 Ezra got a fireman costume to go along with his firetruck so he can play dress up with Darcy without having to wear one of her dress up dresses.
 
 Avery and Darcy. I was hoping for a better picture of their cute faces, but it wasn't in the cards. :) It is so funny to me how similar these two girlies look even though they are only second cousins. I'll have to try again some day.
 
 Ezra was really excited about his cool new pickup from G.G. and Grandpa Bill.
 
 Darcy loved her new nightgown and jewelry.
 

 Ezra and Brayden ready to race
 
 New jammies
 
 For the Christensen party Drew's aunt put together a little nativity with the little kids that we loved. Darcy got to be the angel (her favorite role ever) and Ezra opted out.
 



 Parks enjoying his gift (he does actually love what was inside that box too).
 


 


 Darcy and Ezra got sleeping bags from Grandma and Grandpa Christensen that we are all excited about and can't wait to use when we go camping this next summer.
 
 Emily and Karl got to come for Christmas and Emily came ready with a couple Christmas crafts, which Darcy and Ezra loved!
 



 I love this picture of Drew and Parks in their matching outfits!
 
 This picture of these two peas in a pod (watching race cars) cracks me up.
 
 Emily also brought a fun book and read it to the kids.
 
 The little kids were pretty excited for Ashley to get us started opening presents!
 
 She is a big superman fan, so she was pleasantly surprised when she opened these superman pajamas that had been disguised in batman wrapping paper. Nick and Alyssa had her name and they knew how to get her all worked up. :)
 
 We had Emily and Karl this year.
 
 I thought Haley was so clever to put together this movie night gift for Nick and Alyssa.
 
 Luke had our family this year and we all loved our gifts, but no one quite as much as Ezra! He said over and over, "This is SO awesome!" "This is SO cool!"
 
 Drew got a tire repair kit since he tends to have problems with his tires when they go riding. :)
 
 My mom got a cute new watch from Ashley.
 
 We were all wondering what this mystery present was from Emily to my dad.
 
 We were so impressed when we all saw what it was! Emily made these four stick horses for my dad to ride with his grandkids. Cute!
 
 On Christmas Eve we went with my family to the Gallacci's house to have dinner and the nativity. The costumes just keep getting better and better. Drew started out as a sheep with Jack and Nick as well dressed shepherds.
 
 I thought this picture of our two angels was so sweet. (Ashley in my wedding dress and Darcy in Ashley's baptism dress)
 
 Drew got kicked out of his role as a sheep to come be Joseph since we were the ones with the youngest baby. I have been Mary a couple different years with one of my babies as Jesus which always chokes me up a little. I have that small taste of the reality of the love Mary had for her sweet new baby, who would become the Savior of the world. What a job she had! She must have been a truly amazing mother.
 
 Posting only two pictures of the shephers was hard for me since I have tons that make me laugh. Oh and I just realized it was Brian there performing as the sheep on the floor.
 
 The angels singing "Gloria."
 
 Drew took me on a little ride. I mainly got on to show Darcy and Ezra that going for a ride was fun. Darcy did eventually get on, but Ezra wasn't convinced. He used to love going for rides with Drew, but for some reason he's against it at the moment. It was so cold, so I only lasted a couple minutes.
 
 The last time Emily was on a motorcycle she wrecked on got hurt. She was so brave to get back on the horse all these years later. :)
 
 Emily and Karl
 
 Karl and Drew
 
Karl and Drew again