Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas! We sure had a fun Christmas this year! the girls were so excited to get dolled up on Christmas Eve. I spent a lot of time with the curling iron that morning. 

Evie was a little jealous at first that her dress wasn't sparkly like Kiersten's. But once she was dressed up, she felt like a pretty princess. 

I thought Kara was looking so grown up this year!

Of course my sweet Kiersten was feeling pretty as usual. 

We were so excited for Nancy's family to arrive. Kara thought up lots of games and activities for everyone, but we only had time to do some of the things. they were beyond happy when they saw their cousins!

I had a couple of good helpers setting the table this year. 

After dinner everyone opened a gift. 

Kara made a mystery gift for Ben that she wrapped in a huge box. we've been wondering what was in there for a few weeks now. He was pretty surprised, and wanted to try on his new hat immediately. 

The girls sure loved spending Christmas with their Papa. Kiersten especially thinks she has permanent dibs on his full attention. 

We drove out to a lights display near 6 flags. there were so many fun decorations and lights. 

Kiersten fell asleep on the way there, and didn't see any of it. We drove around through some neighborhoods afterward to get the others to sleep, but they were still awake when we got home. 

Evie and Kara left out some cookies for Santa, since Kiersten was asleep. 

And here is what we woke up to on Christmas morning! Santa brought Ben paper mario for 3DS, and he brought me a new camera for my purse. i'm pretty excited that it is completely waterproof, and meant to be used underwater. That will be a lot of fun.

Kara is such a sweetie. She had gotten a comic book from Santa, and didn't find her new 3DS until she had gone through her entire stocking. We thought she might be a little disappointed to see the comic book, but she was elated with it. I asked her later if she was a little disappointed before she found the 3DS, and she said, "no. I was just happy we're all together for Christmas. But I was really excited when I saw it in my stocking!"

Evie has been in love with this princess castle that she's seen commercials for. She's also seen it at the store, and would get excited and say, "my pwincess castle!". So she was a pretty excited girl on christmas morning when she saw that Santa had brought it. All the kids have had fun playing with it this week. 

Kiersten asked for a baby sleeping Beauty doll, and was thrilled to get 5 baby princess dolls. She has been such a darling little mother to her babies. 

Ben cooked a huge yummy breakfast for everyone, and we spent the morning opening all the fun gifts. 

Evie had to put on this tutu from her cousin as soon as she opened it up. 

Kara with all of her fun presents. She told me several times what a lucky girl she is. 

Kiersten's haul. She's holding her inno tab, which has turned out to be such a fun little toy. 

She's still not sure why her stocking had so much coal in it. We told her it must be a warning, that she better behave better next year...

Evie wouldn't pose for her picture, because she was so excited to play with her new toys, so this was my best shot of her. 

Nancy and Victor took Tommy, Kiersten, and Kara to see Monsters Inc 3D on Wednesday. So I got to hang out with Evie and Whitney. they had so much fun playing together. They are just 2 little peas in a pod. When everyone got back, the kids all played with some play dough. Evie has had so much fun with this!

Papa left on Christmas evening, and the Sutherlands and Katie left early this morning. Right before it was time to take uncle Brennon to the airport, it started snowing. The girls were so excited about it. We had to go out to play in it really quick. 

It snowed a little more tonight, so hopefully we'll have some around still tomorrow to play in. 

Kiersten was upset about having to put on pants to play outside. She told me snow princesses don't wear pants. I thought she looked super cute. 

Ben made a snow angel on the deck. 

Now all of our company is gone, and the house is calmer, if a little less fun. We just had such a great Christmas this year, and I hope all of you had a great one as well.