Christmas 2011

Christmas was wonderful this year! We stayed home and had a quiet Christmas with just our little family. At first we were disappointed that we didn't get to go to Utah to spend Christmas with family for the second year in the row. But it ended up being really great time. It was nice to spend Christmas at home and just relax. On Christmas Eve, we made a big Chinese dinner with lettuce wraps, wontons, egg rolls, and orange chicken. Then we had a mini devotional and discussed the Christmas story. Afterwards we bundled up, made some hot chocolate, and went on a drive to look at the Christmas lights. Then we came home, put on our pjs. We took pictures with our stockings, and set out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer. Ainsley was so excited. She went to bed so quickly because she wanted to fall asleep before Santa got there.



On Christmas morning, we came out and opened Santa presents first. Ainsley was so excited. She had such great expressions with each new present. After she opened her presents, she helped Sam open his. He didn't really care much about his presents at first. He seemed to like the tags and paper more than the actual present. After we opened Santa gifts and gifts from each other, we made breakfast. We decided not to make either family's traditional breakfast this year and try something of our own. We made cinnamon rolls and Panera's Spinach Bacon Egg Souffles. They were delicious! It was fun. After breakfast, we skyped with Tom's family and opened up all their presents. Tom got a new camera bag and I got some baking stuff including new bread pans, silpat and a Popcorn Popper. The kids were spoiled as usual!!! After we opened presents, we quickly got dressed and went to church. After church we came home and skyped with my family and opened even more presents. The kids got spoiled again! We are so lucky to have such wonderful family who do so much for us, even when we are so far away!

Ainsley helped Sam open his gifts from Santa and us. He got a new carseat, dump truck, Disney book, cars, and Star Wars figures. He also got a lot of clothes.

Originally, Ainsley asked Santa for a "Married Girl" dress but then she switched to a "Mermaid Dress." So Santa brought her a Bride veil and shoes and an Ariel dress.

After we opened the Santa and parent gifts, we opened the packages from Utah from family

Aunt Annie gave Ainsley a new ballet leotard

Sam got a train and clothes from Aunt Annie, clothes and cars from Aunt Suey, a imitation ipod from Aunt Cami, clothes from my parents, and clothes, animals, and toys from the Reese's.

Ainsley's gifts from Santa and mom and dad: Mermaid dress, veil, shoes, Barbie clothes, Fairy book, horse and doll, clothes, pjs, doll suitcase, and camera. My parents gave Ainsley barbie clothes, Bitty baby clothes, and clothes. Reese's gave Ainsley clothes, and minature disney set that came with three princesses, princes, and

Favorite gift this year was the cash register Ainsley got from her Aunt Suey, she loved it!