I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends! We are fortunate enough to have both of our families nearby and were able to spend the holiday with everyone. We had a late Christmas Eve with my family staying up until 1am watching The Sound of Music and playing dice:) Spent Christmas morning just the 4 of us opening gifts and then had a great night with Tanners family on Christmas Day. This was the first year that Leyton has really gotten into the whole Santa thing. . . He was excited last year, but this year was a whole new level. It was so much fun!! He woke up and came into our room as usual and quietly said, “Mom, I hope Santa came!” I let him go down by himself and check out the scene. He came running back up soooooo excited and was no longer quiet, “Mom!!! Get up!! Lets go!! Santa came and I have to show you something!! Get up, get up!!” We went downstairs and he led me over to where we left milk and cookies for Santa (ate the crumbs!) and pointed out that the reindeer also ate their food we left for them. Santa had also left a note for the boys which Tanner read out loud (because I couldn’t. . . I was too emotional!) It was so amazing seeing Leyton’s face as Tanner read Santa’s letter. So magical and fun! I couldn’t help but let the tears flow. Kids really bring out the spirit and joy of Christmas that sometimes us adults overlook. I’m so grateful to be able to give my kids gifts for Christmas knowing that so many couldn’t even afford one toy. Leyton was allowed to open his stocking before his little brother woke up, but he waited patiently until we heard Kyler wake up before he got into his gifts under the tree. He surveyed the pile and chose carefully which to open when. Kyler really didn’t have a clue what was going on but eventually got into ripping off wrapping paper:) He was so happy with a new truck, bike helmet and a baby doll (yes, Santa brought him a baby doll).

Overall it was a great, fairly mellow holiday with lots of love, laughter, food and toys! Hope yours was filled with the same! Wishing you all a Happy New Year and an amazing 2014!

I guess if you don’t finish your cookies. . . they are up for grabs!

Leyton’s favorite present. . . A Pop-Up camper!!

Wonder what it could be??

Happy mess:)

The look after opening a book. . . kids will be kids, right!? Ha! Just not as cool as a new toy!

Next Evel Knievel