christmas came and the goose got FAT!

We have had such a fun (and super busy) December!

Lily had some of her friends over for a Christmas cookie party a few days before Christmas. I made a ton of sugar and gingerbread cookies for the kids to decorate. It was such a fun little party and the cookies I decorated turned out so cute (I can't say the same for the kids').

Thanks to my cousin Alyson, I came up with the BEST and cutest neighbor gift I have ever given! Alyson gives cookie or brownie in a jar to her neighbors every year, so I took her idea and modified it. I have all this Christmas fabric, so I decided to put together brownies in a bag. I made the label and the bags (each bag seriously took me about 4 minutes to make) and put the brownie mix inside. I figured this way when all the treats people get from their neighbors run out and they want more then they can make some brownies! I thought it was a great idea and I plan on doing it every year - so if you are my neighbor, just plan on this from now on...

Scott totally outdid himself this year. This is a picture of him on Christmas Eve - he came in the house with this gift completely giddy. He wanted me open it that night.

He made me a new Santa for my collection! I LOVE collecting Santas - I think there is nothing more cheery and wonderful than Santa. And I love finding unique and wimsical ones whenever I can. See the cute little cone one in front - he made it for me; totally unasked; just because he loves me. I was so happy I actually cried!

As a side note it is super cute - it is made out of metal that he bent in a cone and used rivets to put together. He completely designed it himself. I tell ya...I am one lucky girlie!

Adam and Lily presented the Nativity to us using stick puppets that Lily made. It was perfect.

"The children are nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums dance in their heads..." The night just before we headed to bed; ready for the wonderous morning of Christmas to arrive. I love the peace and excitement of Christmas Eve night.

Christmas morning!

Lily in her Sunday best for church the next day (I made the girls matching skirts to wear to church the next day - I would have a picture of both together, but Gracie decided to have an accident in her skirt, so they ended up not matching at all that day...oh well).

Christmas was wonderful this year! I loved every minute of it. The kids were kind to each other, they were grateful and excited about what they received and more than that they were excited about what they gave each other. Scott was so thoughtful to me this year and I feel so blessed to have them all in my life. I especially feel blessed that every year we can celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love what this season does for people. It would be nice if the spirit of the Christmas season could last all year, but it doesn't and that's okay; at least we can find goodness in each other and in mankind for a few weeks each year. Doesn't that give us hope that someday we can live like this all year? It does for me. I hope your Christmas was as nice as ours! And I hope that the new year brings peace and happiness to you all. I don't know about you, but I am pretty excited about 2011 (it will be our 10th anniversary this year; woa-hoooo).