Christmas Day

Luke was up and early Christmas morning! He could hardly wait one more second after his eyes opened to get out to his gifts. Trying to get them to pose for one picture was near impossible. However, looking at these pictures and the absolute joy on their faces just melts my heart!

I think it's safe to say that the boys got everything they wanted for Christmas! Luke got his wish list of a Kindle, army jacket and Jurassic Park dinosaurs. While Brods got plenty of Monster University toys since that's his current obsession. We made the boys take turns and go one at a time which is always so hard for Luke. Whenever it's Brody's turn to open Luke tries to help him hurry it along. My favorite is always when Luke is done and he wonders why that's all and can't believe he's really done. Luke definitely doesn't need to worry about not getting enough presents.

Christmas Day is always one of my favorite days of the year because it's a total day of relaxing and spending time with family. The boys love to just stay in their pajamas all day and not worry about combing their hair or cleaning up. I always look forward to the Christmas week or two after Christmas because Mark is always so good about taking time off and spending time as a family. Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Eve

I always get so excited for Christmas Eve but then once it comes I'm so sad that the Christmas season is over. I start to think about everything that I wish we had done or slowed down more and just enjoyed it. Ready or not it always comes though and we now have two weeks to enjoy together as a family. 

The night started off as usual with the traditional poppers. The boys get so excited for the paper crown and dollar store toy inside. Brody scored this year with crayons...something he can actually use! Mark is always a good sport and wears his crown. My dad was sick this year so that left no one to carve the crown roast. Mark and Pat decided they would take charge and watched an instructional YouTube video on carving crown roast. I just love this picture of Pat carving while Mark watches the video on my phone and directs Pat. They did a great job and it tasted amazing!

After dinner the boys have a hard time waiting for the adults to play the left right game so Grammy always lets them open their presents first. Their pajamas were so so cute this year and they put them right on! After the game was over we got out Santa's cookies and milk and quickly tucked the boys in bed. This year we were living at my parents' house so Mitch and Rach and Pat and Becca decided to spend the night too. Once the boys were asleep we started Christmas Vacation and go the boys' Christmas presents ready. It was so fun having them spend the night and being able to hang out all night! I can't wait to see the boys' faces in the morning...the excitement and joy on their faces is a dream!

Cookies for Santa

Santa is very lucky this year to be getting these cookies! Brody and Luke were in the kitchen helping me every step of the way and we all decided these special cookies were just for them and Santa! Brody had more fun eating the cookies than making them while Luke was trying to decorate them as fast as he could. 

Oh Jolly

Every year I will admit that I do get a little tired with Jolly...trying to figure out what to do and hoping I'll remember each day before the boys get out of bed. However, the look on their faces when they find Jolly each day is priceless.

This year Jolly left a note on Christmas Eve explaining that Santa had lifted his magic just for that day so the boys could give Jolly a proper goodbye. For the first time Luke was able to hold Jolly. The expressions on his face melt my heart. It makes me already dread the day when he will no longer believe in Santa and the magic. Luke would squeeze Jolly close to him and then hold him out to look at him. Brody was too scared to touch Jolly but maybe next year. Luke didn't mind because it was more time for him enjoy Jolly! We can't wait to see Jolly in a year!

To Lucy Love Luke

A few months ago Luke got in the car after school and had the biggest smile on his little face. When I asked him why he was so happy he told me that during school Caroline told him that Lucy thought he was cute and he kinda liked it but it was super awkward. I couldn't believe how happy he was. It was all that he could take about for days. If anyone even mentioned Lucy's name he would instantly blush and couldn't stop from grinning!

One night the boys and I were driving home from Heber after the Polar Express. It was a school night and already 9:00 at night but Luke realized that he needed to get a Christmas present for Lucy. I asked him what he was thinking of getting and said, "Well ya know jewelry!" Tomorrow was the last day of school before the winter break and I tried to talk him out of it but he was determined. 

We pulled over at WalMart of all places and I told him he had to hurry and get a gift. I took him to the toy section but he informed me that he wanted real gold jewelry for her. After I explained that we weren't going to be buying real jewelry he settled for some Disney princess jewelry. 

The next morning he made the cutest card for her and was so excited to give it to her. On the way to school I asked him if he was going to be embarrassed to give Lucy her present in front of his friends and he said, "No...why would I be?!" I love that Luke has a lot of confidence and I hope he never looses the confidence!

After winter break Lucy brought Luke a present to school. She went to Florida for Christmas so she brought him a turtle made out of sea shells. It was so cute! His first love!

Hansen Family Party

Luke was sure he was ready for the ping pong tournament this year at the Hansen Family party. He was so excited to be a part of it and felt like such a big kid. It worked out good for me because he took my spot in the tournament. Brody of course was just happy to sit and drink his sippy on the couch. It was so fun to watch Brody start to play and interact with his cousins. We have been waiting for cousins for a while.

Luke was very concerned about when presents were going to happen and was moving everyone along to get to that point. He was so excited when it was finally present time. Pops and Grandma Suz gave him some cool cowboy boots and two hunting guns. I am in love with the picture of him holding his gun...the excitement in his eyes is priceless! Brody has been begging for the Jake and the Neverland Pirates ship. Every time we go to a store he grabs this pirate ship and drags it around the store. It's never a pretty scene when we have to leave it. He was beyond thrilled when he opened it up and saw the ship. The only problem was Emerson thought it was pretty cool too and wanted to trade presents. Luckily they played happily together!

Decorating the Tree

I thought the boys would both love decorating the tree...Luke loved it of course and Brods not so much. Brods hung his Monsters Inc. ornament on the tree and that was it. He cuddled up on the couch with his sippy and blankie to watch Charlie Brown Christmas. 

Luke was throwing the ornaments on the tree as fast as he could! This year he picked out an army helicopter for his ornament. I have to admit that Luke's ornaments had to be spread out a bit because he was definitely concentrating on one area of the tree and he made sure there were plenty of ornaments hung there. The tree was very full this year with all the ornaments on there and it looked so cute!