This year turned out to be the absolute best Christmas ever. We spent alot of time preparing for a Christ centered Christmas and I really feel like it was just that.
Christmas eve we spent at Luke Grandma and Grandpa's house. We had a lazy day spent with the family. Tyce really wanted to go to the shop and work on his snowmobile so he spent the day there. The boys and I got to play a lot of games and spent some good quality time together at Grandma's house. Grandma and Grandpa were so sweet and commanded that they prepare the whole meal for dinner so that way their kids could spent the day making it a special time for their grand kids. And it really was just that. Everybody who lives close was able to come, with the exception of big Erik; he had to work late for UPS. We had a delicious turkey dinner and then had a fun night watching the kids play. We decided to leave around 7:30 so we could get the boys home and have a Christmas lesson. When we got home, the boys and I made cookies and straighten up a little. Once the cookies were baking we brought the boys in and let them open one Christmas present. Surprisingly they were really excited when they opened them and found pajamas and slippers. They quickly put them on and ran around the house just as happy as could be.
When they settled down from the excitement of their new pajamas, Tyce taught them a Christmas lesson he had prepared. We really wanted to try and help the boys understand why we celebrate Christmas and that Christmas isn't all about the presents. I was really proud of my boys and how respectful they were when we started talking about Jesus being born and how he was a baby like little sister. We also talked about how it was Jesus's birthday and how we needed to give Jesus a present. Rhev caught right on and said "Dad my present to Jesus is to be nice." It was a proud parenting moment.
After Tyce's beautiful lesson, we went into the kitchen to prepare the cookies and milk for Santa. Rhev insisted that we make him chocolate milk. Once is was mixed they both had to do a taste test to make sure it was perfect.
They decided the best place to put it was in the front room next to the fireplace where he would for sure see it when he came down the chimney.
A soon as the cookies were set, they ran into our room for a Christmas sleep over. Growing up my favorite part of Christmas was sleeping in the same room with the rest of my family and it was important to me to keep that tradition going. The boys were in bed around 9:00, but it wasn't until 10:30 that Trayvn finally gave up.
There was just too much excitement!
Christmas morning was everything I hoped it would be. Luke Grandma, Luke Grandpa, Dave and Kylee all came while the boys were sleeping. At 7:30 the kids ran into their rooms to wake them up. Rhev just kept yelling to them "It's Christmas, It's Christmas". Once everyone was gathered together in the front room, Tyce gave the story of Christmas one more time just to help us all remember how special this day is. When he was finished it was finally time to let the boys loose and see if Santa came to visit.
Trayvn got to run in first. He stood there in shock for a moment, he didn't know where to look. then suddenly he turned and saw his giant Mickey Mouse sitting on his coloring table. He immediately grabbed his Mickey and gave him a hug.
Next it was Rhev's turn. Uncle Dave decided it would be fun to walk Rhev in with his hand over his eyes.
As soon as Dave's hands were lifted, Rhev gasp. He just stood there with the biggest grin you've ever seen. It was an ear to ear smile. I was so happy to see my boy so happy. He cautiously bent over to to play with his train. I think he was afraid it was a dream and if he started playing, he might wake up and the train would be gone. With in a few minutes he finally said his first words. "I like it". They were the only words he could get out. It was so fun to see him so happy!
He even got his own train conductor hat.
Rhev was even a nice boy and let Trayvn play with him and his train. They were cute being brothers.
Once the excitement of Santa wore off we started opening presents. The kids were so lucky and so loved. They had a couple presents from mom and dad, plus two presents from Luke Grandma and Grandpa (ornaments, outfits for Maylie, a toy story car for Trayvn, and a dinosaur for Rhev). They also got building sets from Aunt Lori and Rhev got a stuffy from Aunt Kimmie. Needless to say they were happy and glowing.
Tyce got spoiled as well. I was finally able to get him some new snowmobiling boots and I actually got him the right size and the ones he wanted. I was proud of myself.
As soon as we were done with presents we ate our traditional egg and ham muffins. My Dad cooked so they were delicious! Then we quickly got ready and went over to Candy Grandma's to talk to Aunt Kelynn. She is on her mission in Pennsylvania. It was great to be able to talk and see her on Skype. She is such a special person and we all love her and miss her dearly. Plus this was also the first time she's ever seen Maylie. It was really special.
Once our time with Kelynn was over, we all went down stairs to open our sibling gifts. Again we were all very spoiled from Grandma and Grandpa. The best gift of the day went to Shandarae. She had Trayvn's name for Christmas and Grandma was able to find an alligator for him. Lately he has been obsessed with alligators. He says "Al-li-ga-tor" with every syllable. He also love the Monkeys in the tree song with the alligator in it and says "Peace out Alligator" whenever he leaves somewhere. It was the perfect gift for him.
While the boys waited for dinner to be cooked, they were playing the Wii. Brielle got this Giant Teddy Bear for Christmas and Trayvn kind of took it over and turned it into a chair.
My parents were able to join us for dinner. It was really special to be able to spent the day with both Tyce and I's families. We love them so dearly and it is great that we can be able to do things like this together. When dinner was over, my parents needed to leave and go visit my other siblings and their family. We stayed with Tyce's family for a couple hours and played games. Then we went home, got in our pajamas, were lazy and watched a show together. It was the perfect ending to a perfect Christmas day! It was really the best Christmas I have ever had. It was so happy!
The next day I woke up early to go shopping with Dave, Kylee, and Johanna Eggleston. We were hoping to catch the great shoe sale I always get every year; shoes for $1. But once we got there we realized that the sale did exist this year and went to Wal-mart instead to get discounted Christmas decorations. Now here is the glitch to this whole story, I left poor Maylie at home with a house full of boys; Tyce, Rhev, Trayvn, Wayde and Denton. Tyce sent me a picture when I was on my way home with her in tears begging to be saved from the house of testosterone that I left her in. It made me smile.
Once I got home I quickly made a new flower arrangement to take over to the cemetery for my oldest girls. There one from the last few year was getting really faded and rather depressing to take out there. I was really happy with the out come. My sweet angels were so beautiful for Christmas. It makes me so happy that they are still remembered and not forgotten. Luke Grandma and Grandpa had already taken out their Christmas ornaments and placed them on their hook. I love that they still share in there lives with us.
Today we were able to go to the traditional Christensen Christmas party. It's always loaded of fun, food, goodies and cousining. All the kids participate in a reenactment of the manger scene. This year Rhev was a Shepard and Maylie was baby Jesus. Trayvn wasn't in the mood to participate:)
They are a crazy bunch of kids :)
Then it was time to open presents.
Once Trayvn had His present, he could care less about anything else. He was just happy to play. It didn't matter who was in his way or who's way he got in:)
As soon as gifts were done had had to hurry and leave. We needed to get home and get packed to leave for Island Park. Thanks to my Mom, when we got home all the kids clothes were washed folded and ready to be packed. I'm so lucky to have a Mommy that still takes care of me when I'm in a bind. I love her so much!
Our Christ centered Christmas was just that. It was such a special, spiritual experience. I really tried to spend more time focusing on the giving part and not on the getting part. I know that is why this Christmas turned out so wonderful. It was such a beautiful sight to see all the people around me so happy. This will be a Christmas I will never forget. It has been a wonderful season and I am sad to see it come to an end. I hope that throughout the year I can continue to keep the spirit of "Christ"mas in our home and give to him the gifts we promised we'd give this year.
