The Christmas Season Thus Far

Santa came to our Ward Christmas party again this year. Hunter usually wants nothing to do with that, but he was waiting this year. He needed to tell Santa he wanted a Jeep.....and he did. Sorry the pictures of Hunter and Tanner are blurry. Hunter likes using my camera now and he changed all of the settings. I took multiple and couldn't figure out the problem. Finally did, so Haylee's is clear.:)

Tanner didn't tell him anything, but he did get his treats, which is what he was after, so it worked out fine.:)

I wish the previous ones of Haylee had turned out. She was just staring up at him like he was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen. Too cute.

I was just testing the settings and it worked. I ended up really liking this picture.

CLASSIC. So glad I caught this.....

All bundled up, ready to go out.

I know you're all looking at this picture and wondering why there's a dog (even if I do own it) in my house, on my carpet. This is not normal for me, I know, but it got really cold and Sugar's water dish froze solid. Our heat lamp needs a new bulb (which we haven't found yet) and so she hung out inside for a few nights. Haylee couldn't have been more thrilled. You just say the word puppy and she gets excited. Anyway, Sugar army crawled all the way over to her to say hello. Then when she realized what that little bundle of joy was capable of, things changed.

I suppose she figured if she didn't make eye contact, Haylee might go away. Yeah, Sugar, you wish.

The boys, of course, have to be in any picture they can. Gosh I love my kids!

I love that cheesy grin. I think Sugar liked it just fine too until her paws and nose began getting repeatedly poked. It's actually pretty funny. I hated pets, as previously stated, but Sugar IS really well behaved. Haylee chases her and pokes her and Sugar doesn't even run.....she just army crawls in a circle and turns her back on her. Of course, then Haylee just crawls around to her face again, but Sugar's so patient.

Haylee's play pen is generally used as her bed when we travel. We don't, or should I say didn't, have any use for it at home.....until the Christmas tree. Some sort of magnetic-like force simply draws her to the lights and packages the second she's set free. So, she spends more time in the play pen than she'd like. I think she got tired of it.....

My attempts at a cute, little Christmas photo before church this morning.....didn't exactly go as well as planned. Haylee wasn't having it. The boys were excited though because I finally put gel in their hair like Daddy's. I actually never planned it, but both boys had bed head this morning, which could not be cured.....only downfall to evening bathtime.

There she goes.....just not when everybody else is ready.

Moved her to the floor.....suddenly all was well.:) (Even though her hair looks slicked cause it was still wet. Ugh, well, at least I tried). Anyway, isn't she pretty!? Not that I'm partial or anything.....

I like this one. At least she only looks a little bit mad. And we got Tanner's squinty eyes, but I love those eyes, so I don't care.

Anyway, we have a house full of excited kids. I love this time of year. I love the entire season. There is just something truly magical and peaceful about Christmas. I love sitting in dark rooms with lit up Christmas trees, driving around looking at Christmas lights, smelling all of the 'homey' and wonderful smells, and just the general pleasantness that seems to overcome everyone. Oh, and I LOVE Christmas music. Favorite this year: Hilary Weeks' 'Christmas Once Again.' Excellent album. Just as good, if not better, than her first Christmas album. I could listen to it all day.....and trust me, I do.:) I love the peaceful reminder of the Savior's birth and life. There's nothing more important to celebrate than that. I've always been "obsessed" with Christmas time (which is what my Dad would laughingly tell you), but I honestly hope that my kids inherit that quality. There are a million reasons to love the Christmas season! I hope you're all enjoying yours.