C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

C - Children
H - Happiness
R - Relaxation - not!
I - Irritation
S - Surprises
T - Tender Smiles
M - Merriness
A - Atoning
S - Sacrifice

So this Christmas was so fun with the CHILDREN's ages. Logan and Rileigh were so excited about the Elves putting their jammies under their pillows on Christmas Eve. They found Nellie's too and looked to see if Mom and Dad got some...maybe next year.
Can you tell with the HAPPINESS in the above photo who just woke up? Notice the coal in Logan and Rileigh's hands. They were told that is all their was and Santa did not leave toys this year.

I must say this was a RELAXING year. I just sat back and enjoyed it more and tried to just see it all through my kids' eyes.

Of course their is always IRRITATION involved when it comes to this stressful time of year. For the most part it was minimal. We enjoyed seeing Rich's sister Tami and husband Chris and two kid's Noah and Katelyn. Matt, Rich's brother had his daughter, Kat, here as well. We took the opportunity and did a Grand kid photo for the Grandparents. It turned out pretty good with no head swaps.
SURPRISES for this year were just simply having a very enjoyable Christmas. We stress so much that it may or may not all come together. We are so blessed and did have a very nice Christmas with family and loved ones.

We did not do so good on getting good photos Christmas morning, like I said I just enjoyed it more and was more laid back with things. I have those TENDER SMILES engraved in my head. Like when Nellies' ball toy blows the balls into the air and she screamed each and every time. Then my Dad would just belly laugh, that was so fun to watch. The smiles on Logan and Rileigh's faces when they tell everyone that they got "I Pods" Wink, Wink. At 6 years old we are loving the fact that they do not know the difference in an MP3 player and an I Pod. Cheap are we? No, Savvy Smart!!!

One night we did take the Whitemyer Grand kids down to Ogden to see all the little houses and the little kids loved it. The guys went to see Avatar 3-D at the IMAX in Salt Lake. It really brings out the Christmas Spirit and the MERRINESS of the Season to be with family and enjoy the sights!

His ATONING SACRIFICE is something that over the years I want to instill in my kids what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. It's not something that is going to happen quickly but slowly over the years. I hope one day they will have this testimony in their hearts.