Presents

Everyone seemed pretty happy about what they got for Christmas.

Cameron's presents mostly fell under the "Star Wars" genre.






Nina's presents could be divided into 3 categories: art, sparkly things and dolls.







For Howie, this Christmas was the year of the Spy. He acquired several items that I'm certain will annoy Nina. He also got some books, video games and unmentionables.





I hate when I sit down to blog and realize that I forgot to take a few pictures. So it would appear that Donovan just walked over to a neatly arranged pile of presents, sat down, and smiled for his picture. I vaguely remember him opening a few.




I do remember putting Rex down for his nap before we opened presents. It was just easier that way. And I do remember giving him the opportunity to open his own presents. But when you just sit and look at this pile of stuff and don't do anything with them, and when you have 4 older siblings who like to open presents, Rex didn't stand a chance. So yes. In this case, Rex was placed in front of a neatly arranged pile of presents and smiled for his picture. Don't be so slow next year Rex.



And Matt got a sweater.

Christmas morning

It was torture for all the kids to wait those 2 long hours to see what Santa left them. I feel like they brought that on themselves though. Seriously? Why do kids think they need to wake up so early? But anyway, when we were ready, we had them line up on the stairs youngest to oldest and wait for us to give them the thumbs up to break through the barrier.




And break through they did!



The anticipation was too much for Rex to handle. Although it could have been the madness that ensued after the paper wall was torn down. One can't be too sure. But I can assure you that he has since recovered.



Nina was the lucky recipient of a stash of markers, colored pencils and paper. Santa must have forgotten her tendency to pair up markers and walls/doors/counters/dressers.



Donovan seems pretty excited!



So do these two.



Donovan loved his new Wii game.



Howie wasted no time plotting how to use his new spy gear.



Cameron and his new Millennium Falcon were made for each other.

Everything's ready

Since we figured the kids would want to wake up earlier than we would, we made a newspaper barrier to keep them from peeking. There were actually 2 barriers, one at the top of the stairs and another covering the entry to the living room. So even though the kids woke up at 5 a.m., they didn't see anything until we gave them the okay at 7.

The children were tucked all snug in their......

sleeping bags on the floor of grandma and grandpa's basement. Well, some got a couch.







Gotta love Donovan and Howie Tebowing

Temple Square

We made the trek out to Reno for Christmas this year. We thought it would be fun to surprise the kids and keep it a secret until we left. Matt and I packed their suitcases and all the presents into the car the night before and in the morning we woke the kids up, told them to get dressed and get into the car. The reaction wasn't as good as we hoped for. Once the kids got in the car, they put on a movie, started to play their video games and didn't ask where we were going for a long time. When they finally asked what we were doing, we told them we were going to see some famous lights. They pretty much just said, "oh, okay" and left it at that. So 8 hours later we pull into Salt Lake and head over to Temple Square. It was totally crowded and freezing. The beauty of the lights was lost on our kids. They were tired, cold and cranky. I don't blame them, it had been a rough day of video game playing and movie watching. So after we finish at Temple Square, the kids ask us if we were going back home now. Just to give some background information - the car was packed with suitcases, presents, sleeping backs and blankets. All they had to do was look behind, in front or underneath and they would have noticed everything. We told them we thought they would be lousy detectives because they are no good at gathering evidence. So they look around and come up with their guess: "We're spending Christmas at Temple Square!" We left it at that and headed to the hotel. They do deserve some credit though, they ended up figuring it out later that night.

Nina's ballet recital

We found such a gem with Miss Muffie. She has to be the best ballet teacher for young girls in the whole wide world! And lucky for us she is in Littleton. Miss Muffie puts on two recitals a year, right in her basement. She taught the girls a cute little Nutcracker performance. We all loved it!







After the show she gives all the girls a gift. This year it was a snow globe with a picture of the class inside. Nina was happy to get it.

Howie's Baptism

Howie was baptized on Saturday, December 3rd by his dad. Both sets of grandparents flew here to witness this event and we were so grateful they did. Howie asked his uncle Zach to give a talk on baptism and his Grandpa Marshall to give a talk on the Holy Ghost. His uncles Chris and Adam gave prayers and Donovan played a special musical number. We were so proud of Howie's decision to be baptized. He is a very special boy and we know he has a bright future ahead of him.

Bass Pro Shops

Matt loves to take the kids to Bass Pro Shops any time of the year. He and the kids love to check out the fish and wander the store. I usually go along because I'm a good sport. But at Christmastime, I don't mind going at all. They have so many activities set up for the kids and I love watching them have fun. Sometimes I have no clue where they are, but my motherly instincts let me know they are having a good time. That's what I tell myself at least.









And as an interesting side note. Howie knows all about Santa, yet he is totally freaked out by him this year. He won't go near him. In fact, at our ward Christmas party, he found the farthest room he could and hid there until Santa was gone. He told me, "there's no way I'm sitting on that creepy guy's lap." Just thought I'd document that.