Christmas Week!!

I found these pictures from Aaron's phone and wanted to remember Austin and Eleanor doing their cute gymnastic routine!

Last Sunday evening, we went for a drive and stopped by the "North Pole." 

Santa was the kindness man. His son has down syndrome and Santa has been decorating his house for years for his son. His son greeted us dressed like an Elf and then the kids got to sit on Santa's sleigh.  

We drove around Liberty to look at lights! 

Monday: the weather was SO nice so we went to the park with friends. Aaron, Duane and LeeAnn were working and we couldn't wait for them to come home!

Monday afternoon the boys and I dipped pretzels and then we all decorated gingerbread houses. A friend in the ward delivered these gingerbread pieces and candy to us!

Christmas Eve: We headed out to Duane and LeeAnn's property. We love seeing the progress of their home!!

Duane and LeeAnn met with their builder and contractors so Aaron and I walked around the property with the kids. We loved exploring together! 

We had lunch at Toot-Toots, a little restaurant in Bethany, MO and then headed home for naps. I ran some last minute Christmas errands and then we had pizza for dinner! Eli reminded me about decorating sugar cookies! We made the cookies a few weeks ago and put them in the freezer. I was grateful he remembered! These little moments are what I loved most about Christmas:

We then read the Nativity from the New Testament and shared our gratitude for the Savior. This past year we've been studying the New Testament for Come Follow Me and I feel like we've all had our relationships with our Savior strengthened. Even though all the kids took naps, they were VERY eager to head to bed. :) As I tucked each of the kids into bed, I remembered the Christmas excitement I felt as a kid as I anticipated Christmas morning!!

Santa delivered remote control cars for the boys and a stroller and baby for Eleanor! They also each got a sticker book and it's kept them entertained for hours over and over again. 

Eleanor came down the stairs and said, "My baby!!!"

The boys couldn't wait for Aaron to open his new game - Bean Boozled. It's a game with a bunch of different jelly bean flavors and you have to figure out if it's a good flavor or a crazy flavor like toothpaste or a stink bug! haha.

Each of the kids got a book!

My parents sent the kids slipper and Aaron's parents gave the boys fishing rods and Eleanor a sleeping bag. They were spoiled by their grandparents!!

I found this little house on Craiglist and Eleanor was so excited! It was hilarious when she asked me if I would bring the house upstairs so she could play in it. My plan is to move this outside when the weather is better, but it's in the basement for now. I thought the boys would be able to play in it too, but Eli is too tall!

The rest of our Christmas day was spent reading, playing with new toys, playing games, hanging out together and talking to family on the phone.

It was a warm day so Eleanor and I went on a little walk.

Oh! We also got a new basketball hoop! Aaron spent Christmas day putting it together and we've been playing basketball every day. Eli is obsessed and Austin has already improved and made a few baskets!

My parents gave me this necklace and I love wearing it and thinking of them.

Thursday: Duane and LeeAnn headed back to work and Aaron had the day off. We spent the day taking down our Christmas decorations. I love Christmas soooo much. I get anxious to clean everything up when it's over. Here are the Christmas cards we received this year. I cried reading letters from family and friends near and far. 

Friday: Aaron headed back to work and the kids and I went to a trampoline park. It worked out perfectly because it was toddler time and it's for ages 6 - under. Eli can still get the toddler price so we decided to go for an hour! The kids loved it!

We went out to dinner at Red Robin on Friday evening as a farewell party as Grandma and Grandpa Volk headed home on Saturday morning. We've been SO blessed to see them so much. 

Saturday morning: We cleaned the church and then the kids reminded us of our family tradition of getting donuts together after church cleaning!

We went to Nebraska Furniture mart. I found this couch right as we talked in and loved it. Aaron loved it too - which we usually don't agree on home decorations so quickly so maybe this is the one we'll end up getting. :) 

And then we check out the toy section which I never knew existed! 

Christmas was a blessed holiday for us all. It was the first time we've celebrated Christmas at our own home and we loved it. The past 7 Christmases with family and cousins has been great in it's own way too, but this year was extra special. It was simple and memorable.

I'm grateful for the moments we got to be together. The best Christmas gift is knowing that because of Jesus's birth, I can be forgiven of my mistakes and as we do our part, we can be together as a family forever!