{Christmas 2016}

This Christmas Eve Mike took care of getting the boys ready for bed.  While he went through the evening rituals,  I washed out a few of the dirty bottles laying around & picked up some scattered toys.  I gathered the boxes we had picked out for Calvin and Wesley and was starting to set them up and then stopped... this was not something I should be doing by myself! It was definitely a moment that needed to be shared with Mike, so I patiently waited for him to finish tucking the boys in bed. 

When he emerged from a quiet room with two little guys all snug in their beds he saw the boxes on the living room floor and said, "Man, I really feel like a dad now - putting the kids in bed and then coming to assemble Christmas presents."  I have to admit it was a pretty special evening as we got the toys put together and imagined how happy Calvin and Wesley would  be in the morning!  

This year we selected a special tool set for Calvin since he can't walk in from the car without stopping to admire his Dad's tools and occasionally trying to grab them when he thinks we aren't looking! Wesley got a little walker with loud obnoxious toys on it so I imagine it will be more of a bedroom away-from-mom-and-dad type of toy (we have to protect our sanity).

Christmas morning Calvin walked out of his little room and rushed over to his tool set and proudly proclaimed his one word he always yells in excitement - DAGNA!!  (Don't ask me what it means, it's his word, and he loves it).  He immediately set to tearing it apart, figuring out the gears, and gently handling his favorite tool of all - the screwdriver.  It was pretty cute! 

Wesley mostly just laughed when Calvin laughed and ate the wrapping paper off of his gifts.  

After the boys played with their new toys we headed over to Julie and Erik's for cousin exchange and lunch.  SO SO SO fun to see all the kids running around like their skin is on fire because they are so filled with excitement they can't contain themselves! 

All of the cousins prior to the crazy gift exchange beginning!  We figured we better try to get the picture BEFORE they got gifts because ... attention spans can't handle pictures when there are so many exciting new toys! 

Calvin REALLY loves Uncle Grant!

Quincy modeling his new shirt.  He watches out for and loves Calvin so much - it is one of the sweetest relationships I have ever witnessed.  

Marie opening Mike's gift for her, with a photobomb by Carter - hahaha! 

Julie and Lola watching the festivities unfold

Beautiful Aunt Jana models some of her new Christmas bling! 

Molly in her darling Christmas PJs.  This year she learned how to play "Joy to the World" on the piano and performed it at our cousin Christmas program.  What a sweetie!

Cute little Carter!  He was acting super cool for this picture ;)

Calvin's gift for Isaac was this Marine helicopter set (nothing Air Force in the store, I checked - I'd like to believe it was all sold out).  Isaac was a SWAT team man for Halloween and has been pretty into 'tough guy' kind of stuff so this set was right up his alley.  I hear him tell his Mom later, "Mom, I got all the cool gifts this year, I am the LUCKIEST" :)

Isaac got Wesley this light up instrument toy which he ADORES!  He smiles so big when it lights up and plays the songs.

Gracie was pleased with Calvin's selection for her - Anna & Hans from Frozen - a stamp kit and stamp pads with all sorts of colors.  She was the sweetest in her little Elf costume!

You can't see Calvin's face in the picture but he was belly laughing at Uncle Grant's trick with the basketball! 

Two sweet brothers who genuinely love each other to pieces.  May this relationship continue to grow and stay as sweet as it is FOREVER <3

Calvin was generous with the kisses on Christmas day - no doubt he felt the love and spirit behind the holiday.

I can't believe how grown up he looks in this picture.  What happened to my baby!!??

Had to get a few shots off Wes and Lola Belle together - both of them enjoying their first Christmas.  Fresh new babies and both are as sweet as can be.  Only a few weeks apart! 

I sure love this sweet little nugget!

Our first Christmas as a family of FOUR!!  

 Because of these handsome boys my heart is so incredibly full this year.  I hope I can raise these kids to always remember the real reason we have Christmas and to live their best life for HIM - all year long.

Christmas means giving. The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship. 

-President Gordon B. Hinckley