"Our" Christmas Morning......

Even though it wasn't actually Christmas morning there was still the MAGIC of Christmas in April's home this morning.

Brayden was the first one to wake up and we was ALL SMILES!

He was so excited to see that there were presents and that Santa had come to fill his stockings. He said, "Santa must have been VERY sneaky because I didn't even hear the bell ring!" Tyson and Brayden had set a "trap" for Santa by the fireplace before we went to bed. If Santa came down through the chimney then he would bump the bell that they hung and wake up everyone. DIDN"T WORK THIS TIME JACK!

Lyss was the next to wake up.....Or is she really awake???? She came stumbling into the livingroom with both Kate and Whitney. (the teddy bears)

Morning snuggles with Aunt Ashlee.....

April's girls are NOT morning people. Here is Boo just a yawning away! Good morning Howie! Merry Christmas! We had to get up fairly early because we were all attending church together at April's ward and it started at 9:00 AM. That's Way too early!!! WHAT WERE WE THINKIN'???????


Karah was DOZED the majority of the morning. Not much response as she opened up her gifts.

Karah was extremely quiet the majority of this morning. Either she was still really tired or she was not that impressed with her gifts at all. As she opened this one she politely said, "I like it" but when asked if she even knew what it was, she said NO! She did enjoy her presents later on in the day, once the batteries were put in, she was awake and she could actually play with it.

Lyssi looks so stinkin' cute with this new haircut of hers. She was excited to open her presents but like her sister, she was not sure what it actually was.

Alyssa got a Leapster Junior with books that go along with it. We thought she would enjoy this because she absolutely LOVES to have books read to her. This Leapster will read to her with a special tool that she holds on to.

Brayden is a HUGE Star Wars fan so we got him a Star Wars laser gun and mask.

Jack was STOKED when he opened up this present. At first he thought it belonged to Luke but later found out it was HIS! He LOVED it!!!

Luke got a transformer mask and gun for Christmas....

Luke opening his Transformer gift. I think by the squeals coming from his brother Brayden, these boys are going to really enjoy themselves playing with this.

Lyss is playing with her toy plane from her stocking. I know this is a very short video clip but I love the picture of April at the very end. I think she looks so pretty. WHO LOOKS THAT GREAT first thing in the morning???? I have two beautiful daughters that's for sure!!!

Brayden geared up and ready for action!

The grandkids always LOVE Papa Howie's popcorn. We decided to give him a fancy popcorn popper for Christmas this year. The kids colored and decorated his wrapping paper. I am surprised that the kids did not tell him what it was before he opened it up.

Opening more presents......






Stocking goodies.....


Aunt Ashlee made cute matching skirts for the girls....

She also gave the girls some craft supplies..... YEAH!

Luke and Brayden picked out a football for Papa Howie....

Luckily there was some time before church to play a bit with the toys they got. I was concerned that they wouldn't want to leave them but they were just fine.

Time For Church.....

We were all ready for church and decided to take some pictures in our Sunday Outfits. Ash had made the girls matching skirts for Christmas and the boys had on their Christmas outfits as well. My sweetheart.....

Boo with her grandma and Papa....

Alyssa is throwing a fit. It is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to get a picture where EVERYONE is either looking at the camera or smiling. Boo looks adorable though!

Some star wars guy is going to shoot us....AHHHHHHH!

Brayden is so funny. He wore this around all morning

Ashlee and her honey Ty......

Our Studly boys.....

Our beautiful girls......

With our sweet Alyssa....

We were taking pictures of Ash and Tyson and Me and Howie. April felt left out so we took a picture of her with her friend "BOB"....The computer.

BOB has been her friend since Shawn left.

BOB is her "Battery Operated Boyfriend"

Home from Church.....

Luke was NOT a happy camper at April's ward. He screamed and screamed and screamed in his nursery class. We thought he would calm down after a while but it only got worse. It sounded (from the hallway) that he was being beaten in the classroom. I am talking.....BLOOD CURDLING SCREAMS!!! Finally I decided to take him home. The moment I got him to April's and put him in the bedroom he was OUT COLD! Not sure if all of the screaming wore him out or if it was the fact that the kids were up late playing and he was just tired. Any way he was my HAPPY little Luke once he woke up from a short nap.

As soon as the other kids got home from church, Luke got out of his church clothes and rushed over to the table to MUNCH DOWN on his gingerbread house. Can't believe we let them eat these before lunch but OH WELL....we promised!

This looks too good to eat!

YUMMMMMMY!

Enjoying their new presents......

April figuring out Lyssi's new toy....

Alyssa and Karah reading her new books..

Papa and Boo playing with her new "girly" tinkertoys.....

Ash had given the girls this suncatcher painting set.....

The girls absolutely loved it.....

They really took their time and did a nice job.....

Lyss with her pretty butterfly.....

The girls were so nice to share with the boys.....

Luke really enjoyed himself.....

The girls also got a puzzle......

They work so well together and before long it was finished!

Princess Puzzle complete!

WOW! Brayden actually took off his helmet for a second! Long enough to play legos with his daddy.

Playing legos with Papa Howie....

The boys were in heaven with these masks.....

They wore them around ALL day long....

The guns make a LOT of noise. Glad it is going to Ashlee's house and NOT MINE!!!

Papa's Popcorn Popper.....

Once we mentioned that we wanted to put in a movie the kids went NUTS!!! They all know that whenever there is a movie there is POPCORN from Howie!

Karah helping Papa get everything set up.....

Luke looking on with great anticipation......

Luke is such a curious kid.....

Patiently waiting for the popcorn to pop....

The kids were so excited as they gathered around the popper watching it blow out the popcorn. I love to hear them giggle and laugh. It really puts a smile on my face :)

Great gift for their Papa......

Everyone took turns.....

The yummy smell of fresh popcorn attracks Ashlee to join us.

Football with Papa....

The girls had a great time playing football with Howie. They actually love doing ANYTHING with their Papa. He really knows how to have a good time no matter what it is he is doing.

I was surprised how well Lyss caught and threw the football....

She was giggling so hard in this picture....
Her Papa Howie is so much fun!

Steve always seems to take time to make sure that he is spending quality time with our grandkids. All of the other adults are exhausted and he still keeps playing, and playing and playing.

Ahhhhhh....finally time to snuggle and rest with my man. I love him so much. April snuck this picture of us together as we slept. I love it because I can tell how much Howie loves me in this picture. I feel so safe in his tender arms. YEP! I have a wonderful life!!!!

We have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves this Christmas season. This family get-together was awesome. So many memories and great times spent with our family. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives us a chance to grow closer together as a family. Thanks April for sharing your home with us this year. It was PERFECT!