Christmas Morning

 This was our first year alone for Christmas morning.  It was definitely different but we had fun.  Our kids slept in til 7 -their normal wake up time - and then we came downstairs.  This was the tree prior to the kids arrival.  Notice we had to get Finn a stocking too.  That dog is spoiled.  

 The first gift - we gave each kid their own SD card.  We talked it up like it was awesome and the kids were very appreciative even though you could tell they thought we were a little crazy.

 Evan got his own slippers so he would quit wearing mine.  He and I have the same size feet currently and he thinks its hilarious he can wear my shoes.  

 New Wii games and DVDs that were all a hit this year.

 Grace and Kyle asked Santa for Legos, which he delivered on, and then Kyle got Grace an extra set of Legos.

 Kyle got lots of Skylanders things, just like he wanted.

 Finn definitely wanted in on the action.

 Snow White!  Her only missing princess, or at least that's what she told us. She got doll house furniture from Grandpa for her princess dolls and has thoroughly enjoyed playing with Snow White and all of her friends in it.  

 Evan's ripstick in the background.  It is a little strange having a big kid who wants more big kid gifts and not just toys.  He asked for a skateboard from Grandma and Grandpa, a ripstick, Rubiks cube, yo-yo, and a few other random things.  Thankfully he loved everything he asked for and has had fun with it all.

 The final gift.  We gave the kids rechargeable batteries somewhere in the middle of the gift giving.  Again we talked it up like it was awesome and they tried to act excited.  Then at the end we lined them all up on the couch with matching boxes.  They weren't allowed to say what they were til everyone got it open.

 Evan figured it out first, everybody got a digital camera.  Grace had so much fun taking pictures at Mt Rainier that we decided to try to get them all a camera, and we found a great deal that let that happen.  They were so excited and Kyle said "thats why you gave us those lame gifts earlier!"  It was pretty funny.  The cameras resulted in us having our best documented Christmas day ever - pictures to come in the next post.

Overall it was fun to be with just our little family of five, but we missed family.  We did facetime Christmas Eve to sing the 12 days of Christmas with my sister and parents, which I loved.  We did our own little Christmas Eve reading a few books, acting out the nativity with our nativity set, and singing Christmas songs around the piano.  Our kids were tired so they asked to go to bed at 8:30 and fell right to sleep.  I figured they would have a hard time sleeping, but apparently that is just me.  They were very grateful for everything this year and could also tell us why we really have Christmas which was nice. 

Zoolights

 For the first time ever we decided to go to zoolights.  We picked the Monday before Christmas since the weather was supposed to be nice, and so did everyone else.  Thankfully we got there early before the crowds got too crazy.  We bundled up and kept plenty warm and had a great time.  

 We got to walk through all kinds of areas they don't let you during normal zoo hours.  They had lights set up on lots of the normal staff service roads.

 Mt Rainier

 The octopus on the aquarium changed colors which was really fun.  

Kyle had just learned about the concept of the Seahawks 12th man so he insisted I take a picture of the tree. All in all a very fun night and something I think we may try to make a tradition.

Pre-Christmas

 I saw a picture on pinterest of a puppy sitting on a porch that looks very similar to ours, with a Santa hat on.  I've been determined to recreate it.  

 Maybe next year I will have better luck

 My parents were headed to Texas to see Katie for Christmas, and Bryce and Camille had her family coming to town, so we did the Warning family Christmas the week before.  Such chaos with 6 kids but so fun.

 I love kids enthusiasm for everything.  They were all very excited about their new books from Grammie and Gramps.

 Evan has been immersed in all things Rick Riordan for a few months now and they found him essentially a geneology book of the greek gods in the books.  He loves it.

 Kyle has come alive as a reader this year and really started putting it all together.  He has loved Magic Treehouse and has been reading a ton of books from that series.

 Not sure what Grandpa got but they were all very interested.

 My kiddos on Christmas Sunday.  Love Grace's posing.  A side note- thanks to our neighbor Creepy Santa is alive again.  His lights quit working but Dave managed to figure out that it was just a bulb and how we could replace it.  We were all very greatful because we couldn't find another tree topper we all liked (to think we didn't like him when we got him).

Gingerbread House

 For Family Home Evening the beginning of December we did our annual gngerbread house decorating.  It's fun to see how the kids change each year with their decorating.  This year they were much more methodical and organized about it, and even talked it out before anybody started.

 Random Christmas tree pic while they worked. 

 Finn while they worked.

Finn's Birthday

November 4th  I had my tonsils removed.  Not the most pleasant experience of my life, but not as bad as I was told it would be.  It took about ten days to get better, and then another week or so to be back to full energy.  I lost 10 pounds, which apparently isn't too bad for an adult tonsillectomy, so hooray for me I guess.  Thankfully Brandon was able to work from home the entire time, and take care of me without taking time off.  The kids were troopers and helped out a lot too.  Anyway, during that time Finn turned 1.  The kids had been very excited about his birthday so before surgery I got him a hat and the kids picked out new toys for him.  

 This poor dog puts up with our antics pretty well.  He didn't love the hat but he cooperated.  

The kids love Finn, and the feeling seems mutual.  He has to find each of them every morning before he can go downstairs to go outside.  He lays in bed with them until we put him to bed.  He lays on their coats while they are at school anxiously awaiting their return, and if they play in the toy room (where he isn't allowed) he sits outside the door and waits for them to come out.  The year of puppyhood wasn't too bad and we are still very glad we got him.  Happy Birthday Finny!