Bringing in the New Year with family and friends

Twas the Night before Christmas...

We get new jammies for the kids on Christmas eve. They love this tradition that my parents used to do when I was a kid. After making cookies for Santa, they all wanted to sleep in Chase's room. Waiting for Santa to come!

Christmas Eve lovin'

The kids are so excited for Christmas, they were dancing and singing on the kitchen counter. And I let them...guess I'm not getting mother of the year.

Dawson and his new bone

This is our dog Dawson's first Christmas with us. So, after realizing how annoying he was going to be in the middle of the unwrapping. We decided to give him his gift first. We squirted some cheese into this bone and we never saw him for the rest of the day. I'll have to remember this idea for Christmas next year.

Baylee's expression says it all...Christmas really is the best day ever!!!

Gift giving!!

What stood out about this Christmas to me was the kids joy of giving to each other. They were so excited to watch each other open the gift they bought for them. Santa's secret shop and dollar tree treasure's can go a long way.

The surprise kayak for Brian

I was able to pull off surprising Brian with a two seater kayak for Christmas this year. He has wanted one for so long now. Washington is a beautiful place to enjoy it. Chase helped me with the color, he remembered Dad saying that he wanted a red one. I'm sure Brian will take turns with all of the kids out on the lake for summers to come. I hope that I get a turn too.

It was awesome to watch Chase pass the sacrament for the first time today. It seems like only yesterday Brian was giving Chase his baby blessing. Now, 12 years later he is ordained a deacon and wears his white shirt and tie so proudly. He did a great job! I think I was more nervous than he was. I admit I shed a couple of tears...I purposefully sat at the end of the pew, so Chase could pass the bread and water to me. I am so proud of Chase for the young man he is becoming. He is loving, sensitive, sincere, forgiving and I am so lucky to have him for my son. I look forward to the rest of these moments that I have with my children, to watch them learn and grow. With Chase being our only son, I try to soak up all of the many wonderful things that only boys can bring.

FABULOUS FOTO FRIDAY!

I have seen a few bloggers who have a "Wordless Wednesday" post. I didn't want to copy them exactly...so I just thought up one for a different day of the week. I think I'll call it "Fabulous Foto Friday" and pick my fav pics of the week. :)

Winter Wonderland...

The kids love the snow! Baylee, not so much. She wants to stay in where its warm. Chase, Courtney and Ashlyn go out for many hours a day. They usually come in when they get too cold...warm up with food and hot cocoa and they are out again. My job is to throw the wet snow clothes in the dryer, so they are ready for their next adventurous games, they call "King of the hill" and "Fort building" that involves snowball fights of course.

Anderson Chrismas festivites

We have had lots of hot cocoa, babies to kiss on, Christmas parties with friends, cookies, gingerbread house to snack off of (when no one is looking), healthy children, wonderful family and friends, Christmas music all day long, presents under the tree and more snow than we know what to do with. We have been blessed this year!