Christmastime

this is by far our favorite part of the year. WE LOVE CHRISTMAS!! i am so grateful for the partnership kent and i have at christmas. when so many people (especially moms) i know are stressing out, i get to enjoy the season peacefully because my wonderful husband takes care of almost all the shopping and this year even the wrapping! what a gift! we have so many special traditions that are so important to me, and because he does so much, our family gets to make those memories together. i feel so blessed to be able to turn my thoughts and energy toward the true reason for the season, while kent ensures we still get to do all the fun santa-ish stuff too. his generosity, thoughtfulness, and cheer at this time of year never ceases to fill me with wonder, and i hope it never does!

the kids worked super hard on their presents to cousins this year. i hope we can keep finding meaningful gifts to give! i also enjoyed making several gifts this year and think it just adds to the celebrations to start so far in advance to plan and prepare. i know, i'm a dork. i couldn't care less about that either!

these christmas pajamas are super special because all four of our children have worn them =o] 

do you love special christmas treats?? WE DO!!! and we love to share them (thankfully! ha ha)  

my personal favorite chocolate raspberry bars are not pictured. i only make them once a year because i could literally eat the entire pan myself!

here are some christmas sunday clothes pictures we took as a family and of the kids throughout the month =o]

we attended our ward's primary christmas breakfast. it was cool. i sang in a quartet at the ward adult christmas party that 18 and under were not invited to again. weird tradition to specifically NOT have a family christmas party!

kent did an awesome job decorating the tree in our front yard- all our neighbors complimented it when we went caroling and some had even tried to copy it ha ha

and speaking of decorations natalie made quite a few of her own =o]

i LOVE all our nativity sets!

especially the ones to play with! (one of the wise men from this set was lost at church=TRAGEDY!) 

christine made us these cute countdown blocks that the kids dutifully switched each day along with our other advent calendars

we sent out christmas cards and then all the cards we received became a beautiful disaster on the credenza =o]

and seth is the only one of our children who has broken an ornament from the christmas tree =o[ and actually he broke two! the kid would not leave the tree alone! none of the rest of them have had a problem- even jenna! sad day. 

we watched the first presidency christmas devotional. 

we had a polar express party (thanks to natalie!)

we unwrapped and read our christmas book each night- LOVE IT!!

i couldn't have asked for a more fun filled and yet peaceful season!