Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. It was different with a new baby, but special because of that at the same time. We didn't have to stay up super late the night before and the kids actually slept until 7am!! It was great! Opening presents was perfect because the kids seemed to like everything they got and were not asking for more. We spent the morning and afternoon just playing with all the new stuff before going to Childress. We even got to see/talk to Colin and Logan on their missions! This Christmas also seemed a little extra special because we started a new tradition of having a small tree just for ornaments about Christ. We opened a bag every day that had one ornament that was related to Christ and a story in his life. We then read scriptures about the ornament and watched a short video. Sometimes we would have discussions, other times not, but it was a great way to keep Christ in Christmas by giving us a daily reminder of why we celebrate.

All ready for church on Christmas Sunday.  We had to take several of these pictures because everyone wanted a turn to hold the baby.

Sisters

I love this picture!!

Fully alert on Christmas morning.

Mackenzie was wide awake and ready to go open presents. In this video alone she has the hiccups, smiles and sneezes about 4 times!

Trying to hold her head up too!

First thing Christmas morning.

Damon went to go wake her up so she's not really ready for everything yet.

Showing the baby her new makeup.

The last present under the tree wasn't labeled. We told the kids to open it together. We knew these were the games they really wanted for their Wii so we were excited to see their reaction. Bentley is pretty funny because she has no idea why the boys are so excited, but she knows they are so she needs to be too!

We think more makeup got in her eyes than on her skin, but she never complained.  Her eyes were watering though.  Sacrifice for beauty!

We headed into Childress to have Christmas dinner at Edna and Richie's and to spend more time with family.  There was an intense game of basketball going on outside!

Nativity, Gingerbread Houses, & Christmas Eve

Kevin and Kerry invited our family over to decorate gingerbread houses while we waited to do Nana and Papa's Christmas.  Kenney didn't want to go, so we left him and Mackenzie behind while the rest of us when to decorate.  The kids had a great time.

Eating more than decorating.

After every addition to her house she would eat something.  Usually she licked the knife with her eyes closed!

However, when she was decorating it was serious business.

Every year Nana and Papa like us to come to their house to reenact the Nativity.  Sometimes we open presents, it just depends on whether or not we do it at Thanksgiving.  But this year we got to open presents too.  The kids had a great time getting ready and performing the Nativity.  I can't tell you how many times Bentley told us she was Mary.

Bentley was to cutest Mary, and she loved it!!  She was so proud and every time we have talked about the story of Christ's birth she always tells us she's Mary.

She was very careful with her baby Jesus.

The whole crew

Our 3 Wisemen and Mary

Taking her part very seriously.

The Wisemen waiting to take the stage.

So cute!

Christmas Eve at Nanny and Papa's goes the same way every year.  We eat and then Santa comes to visit.  The numbers seem to grow every year, but the space stays the same.  This year's Santa visit was quick and efficient!
After that we drove through the park to see all the lights while Mackenzie screamed the whole time, and then went to open the presents the kids got for one another.  These are some of the best presents every year!

Bentley's name was the first one to be called.  She was nervous and timid, but she wanted her present bad enough she sat on his lap while sucking on her bottom lip.

Radley and the Big Man

Damon super ready and excited for Christmas.

Kyler with a half cheesy smile.

Nanny and Papa with most of their grandkids.

Just some of the people at the house!!

Mackenzie was there too!

She seriously has the best expressions when she opens presents!

She got a crown, a mermaid tail, and a nightlight from Radley.

Radley got a tiny remote control car from Bentley.

Damon got a 500 piece puzzle and a football from Kyler.

Excited about his football.

Kyler got a drone from Damon that he's been wanting ever since he gave one just like it to a friend for his birthday.

The First Few Days

Cute baby ready to go home!

So so sweet, and that butt chin kills me!

Big eyes and an even bigger pacifier! 

She scratched herself before she screamed herself to sleep.

Mulit-tasking: holding the baby while applying lip gloss

Always wanting to hold 'Baby Kenzie' but she never holds her for more than 30 seconds.

Getting sun just in case her bilirubin levels are too high.

Big hands and skinny fingers.

One of Radley's note he wrote all by himself.  He got his bag of sight words out to spell the words correctly.  This one says, "I love the baby and I like the baby and I like her name and I like to hold her.  Radley"

"I like that new baby and I like her name."

"I like the new baby."

First smile we caught on camera.

They cannot leave her alone.

Sitting on my lap while I was feeding the baby she asks, "Mom are these on right?"  Silly silly girl.

Skinny legs all stretched out!

Those toes!!!

Checking out the world around her.

Staring at Bentley.

And Bentley thinks this is hilarious.  Poor Mackenzie.

So sweet and innocent, and perfect!!