Christmas 2013

We had a wonderful Christmas Season.  This year we put our Christmas tree up a week before Thanksgiving.  Our neighbors gave us a hard time, but we were too excited.  

The girls have so much fun decorating.  They each have their own set of ornaments they have gotten over the years. They get a new ornament each year.  Putting their ornaments on the tree is their favorite part of decorating for Christmas.   We had to block the tree this year with a baby gate so Ty couldn't destroy it.  I was very excited to put the tree up!!  We listen to Christmas music while we decorate.  It makes me happy!!  

December is always a busy month.  But it is such a happy time spent with family and friends.  

This year we had an elf on a shelf come to stay with us.  This was a first for my kids.  They named our elf Buddy.  Buddy was a silly elf who liked to play tricks on us.  One night when we had Zoie and Zak Grigg staying with us, buddy hung a pair of underwear on our stocking nails!  

Buddy also toilet papered our Christmas tree, drew mustaches on our faces in our pictures hanging on the wall, and took a  marshmallow bath . . . to name a few. Buddy was fun to have around.  On Christmas Eve he packed his bags and left the girls a note.

Addison cried because she was sad to see buddy go, but she is excited to see him next year.  

Eden had a class christmas party.  She played some Christmas games and had a gift exchange.  

She got a cute puppy in the gift exchange.  

Her teachers gave her a mini ladybug pillow pet.  

She also got to eat Christmas treats with her class. We brought Christmas cupcakes at her request.  She had a wonderful time.  

Addison also had a class party.  She had been sick the day before her party. She only went to a school after lunch the day of her party.  But she was very glad she didn't have to miss her party because her class decorated gingerbread houses.  They also had treats and a little dance party to Christmas music.  Addy was assigned to bring drinks for the class.  We got clear cups and put one drop of either red or green food coloring in each cup.  When we got to her class we told the kids we had magic Christmas punch. We gave each child a cup.  We went around and filled the cups with 7up.  Depending on what drop of food coloring was in their cup, their drink would "magically" turn that color.  The kids loved it!!  Addison had a great time.  

Marshall and I attended an Ugliest Sweater contest at Marshall Christmas work party.  Marshall one first place.

We went to a birthday party for Edens friend Ali Clinger.  Her party was Dec. 21.  Her mom arranged to have Santa come to her party.  My girls liked seeing Santa, but Ty wasn't too thrilled.  

"Santa was actually a close family friend."  Addy recognized him when he walked in and she said "you're not really Santa!"  We had to take her aside and explain that yes, he was really Randy dressed up as Santa, but the other kids didnt know that so she had to play along.  

Christmas Eve we spent with my family in Blackfoot.  We had a great time.  The cousins had a gift exchange and the adults did a white elephant exchange.  I didn't take any pictures.  Ty makes it hard to take pictures because he has me chasing him around constantly.  He is still a destructive little boy.  

Christmas morning was so fun.  Addison and Eden both got an american girl doll from Santa.  

Addison got Saige, and Eden got Molly(not really but that is what she named her because she has glasses like the Molly doll).  They also got bunk beds for their dolls.  

I made the bunk beds with some girl friends one night.  It took us 6 hrs but it was totally worth it.  The girls also got huge stuffed animals

Addy got some new outfits.  

Eden got a wheelchair, cast and crutches for her doll. 

  And a sophia dress up outfit. 

They also got bathrobes, pajamas, doll clothes.  Addison got a voice activated diary.  Eden got some puzzles.  They got spoiled!

Santa brought Ty a little toy airport and airplane.  It came with 5 little people.  He loves the people. He carries them around all day long.  Ty also got clothes and an elephant ball popping toy.   After we opened presents, we went to Rigby and spent the afternoon with Marshall's family. The twins also got AG dolls, so it was a big doll party!

Marshall got really sick.  As the morning got later, he got sicker.  He tried to act pleasant, but he had body aches, sore throat, headache etc.  Poor guy. He spent most of the day sleeping. 

Other than Marshall's sickness it was a really good day.