Christmas finally came!

 Here is Aleeya, Iris and Royce's pile for when they wake up. 

And the clothes draped over the couch in the back are Brooks' scrubs/white coat since he had to go into work Christmas morning at 4:00!!!

 The kids had to wait until 7:30 to come downstairs (they were all sleeping together except Kellyn) and man oh man, were they ready!!! I was video taping it for Brooks so I didn't get their FIRST reactions on camera, but Aleeya's face pretty much sums up everyone's squeals.

 Camden got a big nutcracker from Santa. He loves them, but immediately he started building his Lego Ninjago guys.

 Santa even remembered Aleeya's ring and necklace!!!!!!! She's been wanting them all year! (as evidenced by her trying to wear MINE out the door every morning on her way to school!)

 This picture made me laugh of Emerson......he was REALLY excited with the Lego guys and went to work putting them together too.

I told the kids they were allowed to see what Santa put in their stockings (and put by them) and open up the gifts from the grandparents. That. is. all. Everything from Mom and Dad had to wait until Dad got home. I thought I would get a revolt, but they were too excited to think of giving me one I guess.

 Kellyn woke up later and we immediately put her on the shopping cart riding toy she got. She is so shocked that she doesn't even NOTICE Royce trying to convince her to get off and give it to him.

A-ha!!!! He found a bike to ride on instead......oh wait, that has a BIG "Iris" written on the front!!!! Oh well, Iris was too busy to notice, or realized it wasn't worth the fight.

My stocking....... hmmmm, the teeth whitening.......is that a hint?

 After seeing the teeth whitening I proceeded with caution to see what was in my stocking.....thankfully Santa knew me well enough to include these two gems.......

1)I LOVE Firehouse subs

2) maybe I can finally catch this darn mouse!

The boys rushed upstairs to put together Legos and watch the new movie (Despicable Me 2......hadn't seen it yet.....man I was laughing!) while the girls (and Royce.....but that's a given) played with their giant box of pretend food and dishes. It literally entertained them for hours.

 Guess we don't need to open the other presents anyway........ ;)

Aleeya gave me her present early.....a big pile of hand-drawn pictures!!!

 Her note made me laugh. The last line said "I love you. Aleeya Smith." Then at the end she includes, "I love you myself". Yes.......yes she does......my little confident girl.

We thought Brooks was going to have to work until dinner time, but turns out his upper-level said he could come home around noon!!!!! The kids heard that and insisted on waiting for him outside.

HE'S HOME, HE'S HOME!!!!!! He probably has NEVER received such a welcome as all 7 running and jumping on him so fast!

 NOW they could open the rest of the presents!!!!

 Iris got a laptop toy that was quickly taken over by Kellyn (Iris is obviously a push-over when it comes to people taking over her things). It was really the only time Kellyn got off her riding toy was to play the laptop.

Camden with his stash......his Oregon hoodie, Packers helmet (and jersey underneath), MORE legos and a box full of  art supplies. He couldn't be happier.

We gave Aleeya a DS.

for THIS very reason........

(we knew her brothers would want to play and so they would come to HER to beg HER for something and she would all of a sudden be super cool in their eyes. Worked like a charm)

Emerson with his Patriots helmet and jersey....

When you're married to a clown as I am.......who ALSO enjoys doing autopsies and studying anatomy, then this shirt is just a no-brainer!!!!!

 Aaaaaaaaaaand I had him open this up last, because I knew I would lose him forever. 

I was right again.

Brooks spoiled me. A while back he told me to write a list of things I would like and he would pick something off the list. Not usually something I go for (since the thought is what counts the most!) but for some reason I obliged. Turns out it was so he could get me EVERYTHING on that list! So yes, I'm enjoying my new knives, food processor, hair straightener and digital photo services (for our wedding pics) thank you VERY much!

 hey hey hey, Iris actually DID get her laptop back! Miracles never cease.

 One of the finished lego pieces.....I think it's called a Garmatron?

Bronson with his Boston Celtics shorts, new socks and new shoes........yes, I've reached the age where my boy WANTS those things.Eek!!!!

Time for the silly string war!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welp, I guess my aim stinks!

 Bronson learned the HARD way of singling out dad.

 And now Camden will learn too.....

Kellyn actually got some squirted on her!!!! She smiled but the poor thing couldn't defend herself!

Brooks and Bronson in a basketball game. I'm posting these pictures because whenever these two play there are ALWAYS little people walking/riding through their games and they are just used to it. They rarely ever have a clear court to play on. haha

 Don't mind Iris!!!!!!!

 And a bike riding through.....beep beep, excuse me!

And then the boy-folk went across the street to play some football with dad with their new helmets. No one came back in tears!!!!!! I call that a WIN!!!!!

Since our friends had us over to their house on Christmas Eve we didn't get our traditional dinner, so we made it Christmas Day. While I cooked, the younger four did this........in my kitchen.

This is the meal where everyone gets to pick one thing for me to cook on the menu. They really REALLY look forward to it. So here is Brooks with his pop-in-the-bum chickens......they were extra good this year. Not sure if he's becoming a pro at them or if the Cherry 7-up is the way to go..

 Christmas strawberry pies....

 Iris- mac and cheese........Camden- Mango fruit salad........Bronson- Frog-eye salad

 Emerson- blue Jell-o "with NOTHING" in it (no fruit)..........Me- my artichokes

and Aleeya with her biscuits.

It was a VERY filling meal with a lot of leftovers.........something that we don't see very often around here.

Such a joyful Christmas this year. I really felt so content enjoying the excitement of the whole day with my family. Definitely a good Christmas!

Christmas Program

The Primary Children in the church were putting on a program at the Christmas party.

I am over teaching the children songs at the church, so we have definitely been working hard on it. I found out THAT day that we were supposed to bring a side and a dessert too......and then Aleeya and Emerson got invited over to a friends' house that I had to drive them to. 

Needless to say, by the time the party started I didn't even have a COSTUME or outfit ready for anyone!!!! So I threw some sheets/towels, fabric and sting in a box and crossed my fingers.

Here is sweet Kellyn Pat before we left.

Emerson and these two friends of him were asked to be the 

3 WiseGuys.......Wisemen.

Here's hoping that when in costume they might act a little more calm.....

 When the kids received their parts a few weeks back they were anxious to see what they were.

Emerson- Wiseman

Iris- Sheep

Aleeya- one of the narrators

Bronson- Samuel the Lamanite

and then there's Camden........

He asked what he was (hoping against EVERYTHING that he WASN'T Joseph) and I looked on the paper and just smiled. He was going to be so happy.

Camden- The STAR!!!!!

(meaning he didn't have to memorize ANY parts and he could stand by himself. PERFECT!)

Iris (the sheep) had to be corralled a little because she kept wandering off. So one of the leaders had her in the death grip most of the program. 

She. was. thrilled. obviously. 

Mmmm-hmmm. Just as I thought. 

 And yes, I REALIZE that looks like some growth on the top of his head in my attempt to make a turban. But the only turban I know how to make is the kind I make with my towel when my hair is wet!

He calls himself, "THE STAR OF THE SHOW!!!!"

Samuel the Lamanite.........

because didn't he wear bright orange shoes with knee high orange socks?!?!? Pretty sure that's mentioned SOMEWHERE in the scriptures anyway.

And there's my little narrator poking her head out from behind him......wrapped in one of Kellyn's blankets.

But besides the wandering sheep and the goofy wiseman, they all did great with their parts and their singing was awesome. Phew, I'm just glad it's over.

Christmas Favor

My friend Brooke made the BEST Peppermint Marshmallow Popcorn when we lived by them.

It's quickly become one of our favorite Christmas treats/snacks. So here I am, doing YOU a favor, so you can have this yumminess too.

Let me clarify something though........I'm not a bakey-bakey kind of person. Sure we make the pretzel/rolo treats and cookies, but it has to be REALLY yummy for me to cook EXTRA (on top of meals). 

And this. is. yummy.

(I don't normally like peppermint either!!! As an added bonus, it's made up of stuff you usually have on hand....minus the candy canes)

Ingredients:  

	1 cup margarine or butter
	1/2 c. corn syrup, light
	1 t. vanilla
1	16 oz bag of mini marshmallows ( if you can't find a 16 oz bag just use 1 1/2 bags of the 10.5 oz)
2	gallons of air popped popcorn....that equals two batches of Whirly-Pop for me. (or 3 bags of microwave popcorn,use very light butter)
30	miniature candy canes, crushed
	1  1/3 c. sugar

The candy cane part works out nicely when you have kids that LIKE to do those types of things

 (and that picture IS and is NOT so funny to me. I have ZERO counter space so I use the top of my freezer as counter space.....you can see the griddle over on it. Apparently Royce turned it on after this picture and when I had the hair clipper box from cutting Brooks' hair on top of it......so yes, this is one of those before-the-disaster kind of pictures)

Crushing candy canes....

Directions:

melt butter and margarine in a pot. add the sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla. Boil for 5 minutes of med heat. layer the pop corn, candy canes and marshmallows in a large bowl or pot. Pour the sauce over and mix well with a large spoon. It can bet hard to stir this sticky goodness but it is worth it! You can add more popcorn till it is the consistency you want. When you are done mixing pour it onto wax paper and spread it out to cool. You can store it in gallon zip lock bags. (the picture below is just one batch.....I usually make two if I'm giving some out and still want some leftover to eat. My family can down this batch easily)

This is an easy gift for Primary teachers, neighbors, or just to snack on. Every time I give this out someone asks for the recipe. Soooooooooooo, now YOU have it. And you're welcome.

Don't forget to stock up on candy canes after Christmas for when you NEED this during the rest of next year!!!!