A Very Brough Christmas

As usual we went to Grandma and Grandpa Brough's for presents and lunch. THe kids love to see what they got from Grandpa and Grandma.  Actually, us parents get pretty spoiled too.  

Everyone hands out and opens their gifts.  It's pretty crazy and fun!  We always start out doing one present at a time but it never lasts.

This will be Jed's last Christmas before he goes on his mission.

Christmas Morning

Here is how the room looked before the carnage.  So peaceful and quiet. ;)

The boys set to work on their stocking.  Daddy helped Knox and Eli helped himself.  Both got some fun things.

Then it was time to move on to the big presents. Knox got a wiggle car and some cars and a rug for driving his cars on and a ball toy thing-a-ma-gig.

Christmas is SOOOOOOO exciting!

Eli wasn't forgotten by Santa though.  He got books, a video game and a gun!

These kids are the best and I think they had a great Christmas morning.  Santa didn't disappoint. (PHEW)

Christmas Eve...Or the Day Where My Dad Out Does Us For Christmas.

Before we could do anything Stewart insisted we replace the lightbulbs.  Jacob was a little nervous but he got the job done.  Once we had light and could see we were able to have our non-traditional dinner. This year was the Haight's turn to pick.  They choose Chicago foods.  I made a Chicago style cheesecake, Stacy and Robert did italian beef sandwiches, Mike did Chicago style hot dogs, and Danny and Emi did a deep dish pizza.  It was all SOOOOOOO yummy.  

Next we got a surprise visit from Santa!  We couldn't believe he had time to come stop by on this busy night but the kids were so happy to see him.

Next up was present time!  Grandpa went first and gave the kids some letters to figure out what his gift was.  Eli spelled it right!

Imagine Eli saying "really?! are we going on a boat cruise?!"  All those kids were so happy. Us parents were happy too! 

We gave dad his gift in a joke gift box.  He's probably thinking in this picture "what the heck!"

We had a fun Christmas Eve. It's so fun to all be together for fun holidays like this.

We had to do Christmas Jammies once we got home.

I hope we can sleep tonight!!!!

Santa Visit!

Santa Claus came to visit! We feel so lucky that Santa comes to our house.  It must mean that my kids are so good that they earn a personal visit.  Eli thought long and hard about what to ask for.  Knox wasn't sure what was going on but once he saw Eli gave Santa a chance so did he. A smile was too much to ask for but he sat on Santa's knee.  If you notice the Christmas tree you will notice only the top half has ornaments on it.  Life with a toddler!

You Can't Catch Me...

...I'm the gingerbread man!  We have a secret Santa this year who has brought us gift for the 12 days of Christmas. It has been so fun for our family to look forward to the gift every night.  We got this Gingerbread Man kit and got to work.  Knox was more interested in eating the candy but we all got our guys decorated and I thought they turned out so cute!  We have had a fun Christmas season!

My New Necklace

This is my new necklace.  Stewart bought it for me for Christmas but gave it to me early because we are terrible at keeping surprises!  This necklace is actually revealing another of our secrets.  The little rings are my kids birthstones.  Do you know what that means!?!  We are having a baby in August!!! (or July if I get my way.) I am due Aug 7th.  This baby wasn't as much of a surprise because I was on clomid but it was still kind of a surprise because I didn't believe clomid really worked!  It never has for me before!  But it did and I'm going to have 3 kids.  I am so happy but I am a little nervous about miscarriage and all of that stuff.  I do actually have a feeling that everything will be fine and we saw the heartbeat today but I'm a worry wart and will feel better when I hit the second trimester. 

First Snow Day of 2012

We got a down pouring of snow!  The little boys were so excited!  Eli was so little last year I'm sure this feels like the first time he's seen snow.  Eli made a little sledding hill and down the boys went.  Knox wasn't super excited about sledding but he played along.  Stewart even went down a few times.  There is something about snow that makes you feel like playing...until it's been around for 3 months. Lets see how we feel about the snow in February or *gasp* March.  (please please please no snow in April)

I love this wipeout picture! hahahahaha

Our Little Ferret

I noticed Knox reaching in to the air vent that doesn't have a cover. He pulled out a piece of candy. Then another piece of candy. "Hmm" I thought to myself, "I wonder what else is in that air vent?" I reached my hand in and pulled out a piece of candy.  Then I kept pulling out more and more things. Knox is like a little ferret!  A lot of that stuff is Stewart's.  I think it's his way of having a bit of Stewart stashed away for when he is missing him at work.

We love that little trouble maker who keeps us on our toes.

Halloweenish Time

Our ward always has a fun Halloween party.  There is a chili cook off and tons of fun games for the kids. Knox cheated on the donut eating contest.  It's supposed to be hands free.  What a cheater! :) Eli also didn't understand how the beanbag toss works.  He's lucky he didn't end up with a bloody nose.

We took the boys trick-or-treating around the circle before Eli took off to go with some friends.  I can't believe my little boy can trick-or-treat with friends!  He should still be my baby who needs his mom to hold his hand. 

 

Family Pics 2012

 Leesa took our family pictures for our Christmas card.  I pretty much love this cute family of mine!