Christmas morning part one…or the year Santa played a trick on our kids.

At 6:37 am I got a text from Carter that said, "Hey can we come up now or at 7:00"  It was followed by a text that said, "Or when you call us up"

I texted back, "When we call u up. :)  We have 17 more minute to sleep."

He replied, "Can you call us up now then."

Me:  "No!!!!!!!!!!  I'm trying to sleep."  

I then texted this picture with the caption of

"See…still sleeping."

My kids were excited.

I knew Santa had come because I snuck downstairs in the middle of the night and saw that Santa had filled the kids' stockings full.

Spoiled spoiled spoiled!

Santa also set this up in the kitchen.

He must have read Saylor's letter because Icy was still at our house!

However, this was all that was under the tree in the living room.

A box of oranges and this letter...

Steve and I told the kids they could open their stockings left downstairs, but could not come upstairs until we let them.  After seeing the empty tree upstairs, we headed downstairs to see how the kids were before breaking the "only oranges under the tree" news.

Andrew's Christmas dream came true.

Yes…he really asked for a stocking full of Chick-fil-A mints.

Carter got undies among other things like deodorant.

Saylor got a few new dolls.

 Colby got undies too…but I forgot to take a picture.

After stockings were properly opened…we allowed the kids to come up stairs to "open" their presents.

As you can tell by their faces, some kids took the letter from Santa sending them on a gratitude scavenger hunt to find their presents better than others.

The first clue of the morning looked like this.

Oh…but Saylor was super happy about Icy the elf staying with our family.

Colby found joy in wearing a orange box on his head.

December 24th 2013

The few days before Christmas were a blur and were spent getting ready for Christmas and spending time with family…all very fun things.

Had to post my two favorite ornaments on our tree.

Diet Coke and Bacon.  How could you go wrong?

Icy our elf found a few comfortable places to watch us as Christmas neared closer.

(Sadly, her balance was a little off…and she ended up falling off the tree and taking a few ornaments and needles with her on the way down.  Thankfully she was able to scramble to the windowsill before anyone saw her…whew.)

Some last minute purchases made their way to our house.

If you are going to dress your family up like Amish people at least two things will happen...1. the picture will end up on your Christmas cards and 2. the picture will be canvas wrapped to be hung on the picture wall.   

Steve made my Christmas Eve wish come true by washing my front window.  Bless that man!

My parents spent Christmas eve at out house and we treated them to dinner.  Turkey, potatoes, green beans, fresh rolls and salad were all on the menu. 

Plus…the gluten free cookies were plentiful.

 After dinner, we spent some time reading the Christmas story in the Bible and then the kids opened their Christmas Eve Pj's from Steve and I and then were allowed to open one gift from each other.

The following were a few of my favorite pictures from the night.

 There was a lot of love going around our house.

Finding the right place in the scriptures.

Who you calling elf?

Priceless time with Grandpa.

Yes!  Fuzzy pj's!

Alarm Clock from Colby.

A watch from Saylor????

Yes!

Frozen dolls from Andrew.

Not pictured was Andrew with his new fishing reel from Carter.

Before heading downstairs for the night, the kids laid out cookies, brownies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.

Saylor had Steve write a quick note asking Santa to keep Icy.  She was devastated with the thought of losing her elf for an entire year.

"Please let us keep Icy 'till next year.  We'll take extra good care of her and we won't lose her like we did the cat."

I think she made a good case.

The Dixon Kid Crew.

I "ran" some Christmas Eve errands and when I came home, I found my family like this downstairs.

Time for bed kids or Santa won't come!

Steve and I took a few crazy pictures before heading off to bed ourselves.  We didn't want to miss Santa either.

Our ode to all teenage "selfies" seen on instagram.

I think we pulled the faces off perfectly.

Walker Christmas Party 2013

Saturday night was the annual Walker Family Christmas Party held at my parents home.

It included dinner, talent show, presents, family history lesson and white elephant gift exchange.

It was wonderful as always.

This year however included something new,

A cousin muscle show down.

My vote is for Colby!

Pictures from the rest of the night...

 Paying attention for the Family History Game.

Mr. Blue Eyes.

Name these people.

(Paul and Elma Walker)

What about these?

(Arlo and Sarah Barzee Family)

Sarah Barzee, Arlo Barzee, Paul Walker, Elma Walker.

 After the game the kids opened their present from Grandma Walker

Christmas Pajamas!!!

Yes Grady, both Santa and Grandma love you!

My mom is amazing and made pj's for all 19 of her grandchildren.

She is Super Grandma in my book

(Six grandchildren not pictured as they live in Missouri and Washington state.)

Now show me your pretty face!!!

 (Sorry about the glare from the picture Holly)

Next came the cousin gift exchange.

 Andrew loves his smelly man kit.

Saylor is oh so grateful for her Snow White outfit.

Who wouldn't be???

Caught this pic right after the "Thanks Grandma!" hug.

Token holiday picture of the Man and me.

Love my family.

Love this party every year.

Love that Steve and I got a bacon ornament and "Handerpants" from the White elephant gift exchange.

So planning on taking pictures...