Christmas 2013

 We had a really great Christmas at home this year. I knew with James just being a couple weeks old that I didn't want to try and travel anywhere. Luckily we still got to see a lot of family because they made the effort to travel and see us.

First up was my Dad and the Ben Blodgetts. They stayed just two nights, but we had a great time together. Everyone got plenty of holding James time, and Thomas and Grace were in Heaven with their older cousins to play with. We got a little snow so they rode sleds behind the RHINO and had a blast until it ended with a crash. A few hours later they were back out again.

Christmas Eve started with a trip sledding with a majority of the extended Harper family. Nolan took the three kids and James and I stayed home and took in a peaceful morning.

Shortly after they left to spend Christmas in Colorado, the Arnesen crew came over from Seattle. We'd been anticipating their arrival for much of the day. They got here around 5 Christmas Eve and instead of taking a minute to relax after a long trip, they started right away preparing a DELICIOUS meal of marinated tri tip roast, and Alfredo. It was so delicious!

 After dinner and Christmas Pj's we had to get a quick shot in front of the tree. RaeAnn and Paul wanted to watch a dvd of the candy bomber we had so we did that, and then we were surprised when we ran outside and found treats tied to parachutes coming from the sky. Those Arnesens really know how to party! 

When we went outside Thomas started shaking with excitement and turned to me and said, "Mom, I just saw someone on the roof with a bag and I think it's Santa!" He was so excited to see Santa all night. He thought he had another sighting of him when he went out because he heard something. Paul was getting stuff out of his van, and Thomas said, "Dad?" Paul said no and he said, "SANTA?" Melts a momma's heart!
 We then did a few Christmas Eve traditions

 Our Nativity. We didn't have any outfits but the kids had fun doing it. Nolan and I were Mary and Joseph since James had claim to portraying baby Jesus. RaeAnn was the angel, obviously. Grace a wise man with Thomas and Jenna as Shepherd, sheep. 

 Nolan took the kids out to put oats on the ground for the reindeer to eat.

 Emma tried eating it instead. We set out the cookies and headed to bed. I think we woke up at 7. Jenna was the hardest one to wake up if I remember right...

Countdown on the stairs. I may or may not have gotten 5 hours of sleep. Not sure how my sister stayed out of the frame here. When we ran upstairs, our couch was covered in toys.

Grace's loot! When Jenna saw her stuff she exclaimed, "I never had these toys before!"

 Thomas yelled, " Wow, we were spoiled!"

 Oh Christmas morning, how I love the excitement, but hate when all the presents have been opened and your left with a gigantic mess!

 Macey and James slept through most of Christmas morning.

 Grace loved her presents. She exclaimed, "I am so happy. This is like better than sledding happy".

Nolan has a skill to get any baby to love him instantly. Macey wasn't hard to break.

 Paul and I were pretty happy with the nerf guns. Many wars were had. The kids picked sides, we used them as shields, and they gathered our ammunition. It wasn't pretty, but we had fun!

 That night, after a delicious turkey dinner provided by the Arnesens again, Kimberly and Tommy came for a night. We had fun playing games, watching a movie, and eating too many yummy cookies Kim made!

Grace and Katie Ann were best buds, and after they left, Emma became a new favorite playmate for Grace.
 The rest of our week the kids played a lot, and we took a trip to Boise to epoxy my dad's garage while he was away.
It was a big job, and I was glad Paul and Nolan worked so hard to do it. My dad really loves it.