Merry Christmas!

We had such an AWESOME and RELAXING Christmas this year! It was SO nice to just stay home and enjoy time together as a family. It is really fun too that our kids are old enough to understand what is happening and bring so much excitement to the holiday. What made it extra special this year was that Grandpa and Grandma Bagley were able to spend the holiday with us as well. Have I mentioned how much I am LOVING that they are serving their mission here in Dallas. Spending the holiday's together is one of the many perks!

Dad and John were watching some sporting event I imagine while Grandma and the kiddo's were staying nice and warm by the fire.
Grandma kept JJ and Calli thoroughly entertained by playing the boat game while I whipped up our Christmas Eve dinner. In our family the tradition is to have a nice meal and program on Christmas Eve and then stay in your pajamas all day on Christmas. With Christmas being on Sunday this year we did have to change out of our pajamas but as soon as we got home we put them back on.

For dinner we had Chicken cord en blue with cheese sauce and asparagus and artichokes and rolls and raspberry pretzel salad for dessert. We also indulged ourselves with some Martinelli's to drink. Normally we have to bribe the kids to come to dinner but they must have known it was special because they were ready and seated before the rest of us.
Here is our gang minus my hubby who is snapping the picture. Over dinner John told us all about his recent trip to South Africa. (pictures and post to come about that trip as soon as I can get him to do it. :) After dinner we acted out the Nativity. I think this may have been the cutest, funniest one ever. JJ was Joseph and Calli was Mary. We used one of Calli's baby dolls as baby Jesus. John was the donkey and an inn keeper and a shepherd I think. I was the angel and an inn keeper and a Wise man. Grandma was a shepherd and a Wise man and Grandpa was the narrator and a Wise man. It was really fun and then we watched the animated movie of the Savior's birth in hopes the kids would pay better attention and understand a little more how truly special this night is. After the program was over we got the kids jammies on and of course left some cookies out for Santa and the reindeer and took them to bed. Then we got to work. My payback for John going to Africa for 11 days was to buy something that would take 2 hours to put together. Hehe not really I knew Calli would LOVE a kitchen so that was my true motivation and John is so handy he had it done in no time. We had rented a movie to watch as well but both John and I were to tired to finish it so we went to bed while Grandma and Grandpa burned the midnight oil and finished the movie.

The next morning was so fun and magical of course! The kids were so excited to see their family room filled with toys and surprises and treats. They wouldn't have even cared if there were any presents to open under the tree, but don't worry there were plenty of those too. Our original plan was to get up and play with our toys from Santa and then eat breakfast and get ready for Church at 9 but we were all a little too excited and decided to open the presents before church. Needless to say we were a little late and not looking quite our best but we got there in time for the Sacrament. :)
These two were in heaven playing with the kitchen and the fish that Santa brought.. JJ has been wanting a fish for FOREVER ! So Santa finally gave him one.
He was so cute and after church said to me, "Hey Mom, we forgot to name the fish. I think we should name him JJ. I know that isn't really a fish name, but it is so Cool!." How could I argue with that logic? So JJ the fish it is!
Daddy is teaching JJ how to feed the fish and not to feed to much so he doesn't eat to death. Both the kids still love to feed JJ the fish and watch him eat his little pellets.

Here we are in all our glory! Looks like we need a little more sleep ya think!?! Hopefully we looked a little more awake by the time we got to church.
Here is Grandpa and Grandma in all their glory too. They are looking better then we are I think.
Even though I took one for the team and had all the presents bought and wrapped and under the tree before daddy even got home from Africa. He had to go out and get the kids some presents of his own. He is so cute and LOVES to buy gifts for people he loves. This is a fun little fort they can play in. He spoiled me rotten as well and got me a temple picture that I love, and a watch and a necklace and some perfume. He is so sweet. I got him a tour hour speed tour driving 4 different luxury cars. My good friend Lauren got her husband and John's best buddy the same thing so they could do it together. We were a little bit nervous to get something so unconventional but apparently it was the best gifts we ever got our hubbies. They were so excited and loved it. (another post and pics to come if I can motivate him to do it of their tour. :)
Calli go all dressed up in her princess clothes from Grandma and Grandpa while JJ rode around like a mad man on his scooter from them.
We got Calli her very own apron that matches the one John got for me a few years ago. Now Calli and I match and John and JJ match when we make our Sunday breakfasts!

After church we made Swedish pancakes of course and then resumed playing with all of our new loot. I totally and completely forgot to put the beef stew in the crock pot for dinner that night so I was glad that it wasn't a roast. Grandma saved the day and fried the meat a little first and then added it in and it was delicious. That night after the kids went to bed we played some scrabble and some rook of course. It sure was nice to spend this very special day with the people I love the most and enjoy each other's company in a very simple yet profound way when we center all we do and celebrate on Him who Loves us most our Savior Jesus Christ.