We did tons and lots of relaxing at the same time. The kids all had a great time playing throughout the day and were often out of sight; outside, or upstairs and we could always still hear them. They loved to run around the backyard, swing, jump and play deadman on the trampoline, and lots and lots of video games.
We did sugar cookie decorating, our own Family Feud, lip-sync battle, a few bike rides, a White family dinner with present fishing, and lots of baking and eating.
Paige did her best to keep up with the older kids, sneak outside anytime the door was open, and use her cuteness to get lots of cookies.
And there was a lot of napping.
Mason would wake up almost every day asking to play Smash Brothers, and could often be found playing in the room by himself. The kids did a pretty good job of governing themselves, and only asked for help when someone was crying or happened to be throwing toys...again.
We were able to have a night for my sister, Tori, to go through the temple and were so happy to be there with her for that, and all of our family too.
The cousins had a great time watching movies together and eating fun treats and lots of popcorn!
Christmas Eve was a lot of fun, we of course had the little kids do the Nativity which Mason was only persuaded into by the idea that he could wear a crown and carry a golden present. Paige was a sheep but mostly wandered around the house so she was just a lost sheep.
Christmas morning was crazy, fun and chaotic. We had church at 9 am, a Skype call from my sister who is in Spain at 8 am, and kids waking up at 7:15 am to open presents, all of which had to be done before 8:45 am because some of my family going to be gone till later in the afternoon.
We ended up squeezing in enough presents to make kids happy, skype my sister, and get kids ready for church on time. We opened the rest of the presents once people were back that afternoon, and the kids actually liked having two rounds of presents.
Mason loved his present he got from Santa. He had asked for a t-rex helicopter. He even told the Santa we took pictures with that he wanted one, and was a little confused when we were leaving that Santa didn't give him his present. I had to tell him that he would get it Christmas, and that the elves still had to make it now that they knew he wanted one. He is so funny!
He spent the next 2 days playing with his toy non-stop and was so happy with everything he got, he said that Santa knew he was a good boy because he didn't "pout". He was really into singing the different Christmas songs this year...and often sang lots of things to the tune of Frosty the Snowman.
Mason also got a bike from Grammie and Paka and had a good time putting it together with Christopher and Paka.
Mason also got a bike from Grammie and Paka and had a good time putting it together with Christopher and Paka.
Paige got Mickey Mouse Clubhouse figurine toys, she knew as soon as she saw them that they were for her. She walked over to the couch and grabbed the box, held them in the air and started to squeal. She was so excited to open all of her presents and had fun playing with all her toys the rest of the time we were there.
Christopher and I both got some amazing things; one of which was a Santa cookie jar that each of my siblings got. They are replicas of the one my grandma had at her house every Christmas growing up, it was a great surprise and something I can't wait to have out for our next Christmas.
We were also excited for the presents we were able to give. The presents included a homemade wood Mickey coat rack and an arrow scarf/hat rack for my sisters that were so nice to watch our kids while we went on vacation with my parents this summer.
We left to drive home at 3:30 am and the kids rocked it!!! The kindle they got from my parents was a lifesaver. Mason threw up twice; the first time all on his clothes and we couldn't get to where we had packed his, with all of the bikes on the back of the car and tires on top of the luggage. He ended up wearing my athletic shorts that I had and looked like a little samurai when he walked. Paige blew out of her clothes 15 minutes from home and finished the trip in her diaper.
Neither of them complained, Mason was a champ and was totally resilient to throwing up and just wanted to keep playing games. Paige was happy and slept a lot of the drive. I love that kids can be so easy going!
Neither of them complained, Mason was a champ and was totally resilient to throwing up and just wanted to keep playing games. Paige was happy and slept a lot of the drive. I love that kids can be so easy going!
We loved all the time we were able to spend with my family, making memories and continuing traditions.
