Christmas Wrap Up

Christmas Eve started with the boys and Ava making their sugar cookies.  I have gone away from cutting them out myself now, and I just end up buying the pre-cut cookies from our Market Day at School.  It has turned out to be the best thing for our family.  No more frustration over the dough sticking and whos going to roll and whos going to cut the cookies.  Tyler really had Ava do a lot of the decorating of the cookies, so the sprinkles ended up all over, but it was fun to see her sticking her toung out and eat the sprinkles right off the cookies.  Later in the evening we went to church.  It was beautiful and they do a candelight caroling at the end.  It was beautiful to be in the church and see the candels all lit.  He really is the "Light of the World".  After church we went to Toms moms house and had some appetizers and fellowshiped with some family friends. 

Later we painted nails to look pretty for Christmas

some pictures before heading out to church

loving my biggest big brother 

4 boys and 1 princess! 

our crazy family of 7! 

at Marilyns house we have a time of singing Christmas Carols! 

Ava LOVED the music and the singing

Christmas Day, was so different this year.  We let Ava sleep until she was ready to get up, and the boys were sooooo excited to see her celebrate her first Christmas.  We cleaned up and then family and friends came for lunch.  We had 23 this year and it was another wonderful time of just being relaxed with those we love.  Later we did a "white elephant" gift.  This was something new for us, and it sure was funny.  Some peoples ideas of "white elephant" are sure different than the rest.

Ava got this from Santa, she loves it! 

Brothers, finally loving each other! 

Tylers "white elephant" gift!

I think he looks good!  Maybe we will have to go to Hawaii now! 

My dining room ready for Christmas

we were able to fit all 24 of us in there (including Ava) 

This beautiful santa is a gift that I bought for myself while in Russia

It is a hand carved Santa with beautiful detail.

They have many wonderful scenes, but I chose

to have the manger scene. 

We have now cleaned and put away the decorations and we are ready to celebrate Avas birthday.  She will be 2 and we are so blessed to be able to share this Birthday with her.