Topping the Tree

Every year the kids fight about who's turn it is to put the angel on the Christmas tree.  Every. year.  Even if we have picture proof of who did it the previous year, they still kick up a stink.  So, this year all of them got a turn.  Yup.  That angel has been well-placed, I tell you.  Next year it'll be Britta's turn.

Ju Ju

Christian

Kari

Emily

Christmas (Afternoon)

After the craziness of the morning, we all just chilled out for a bit.  The big kids started their Lego projects, the little girls played with their toys and took naps.

 After naps, we headed over to my mom's house for just a few more gifts and, what seems to be becoming a tradition, pizza for dinner.  Not too many pictures, we just enjoyed being with our family and one another.

 One of Kari and Juliana's favorite gifts were these butterfly wings.  They love using their imaginations!

 Kari's big gift was the American Girl, "Kit."  The doll came with a book.  Kari loves this book, even though she can't read yet and there aren't any pictures in it.  So sweet!

It was a wonderful day!

It's Christmas!! (Morning)

 Oh the joy of Christmas morning when you're a kid!  It's probably the only morning that you know that if you wake up early, you won't get sent back to bed!  (Unless you were like I was when I was a kid and then you did because 4:30 a.m. is too early, even on Christmas!)

Everyone pretty much got up around their normal early-bird time and were all very happy to see what Santa had brought them!  (In our house, Santa brings one "big" gift.  The other gifts are from Mom/Dad/siblings/grandparents b/c, hey, Santa sure isn't getting ALL the credit!)  This year the big kids each got Lego sets that they'd wanted.  We love it when Santa brings Legos b/c it gives the kids something fun to do in the afternoon while the littles are napping!

It was a great morning and everyone enjoyed exchanging gifts with one another :-).

 Juliana enjoyed her Little Peoples castle and Minnie Mouse horse stable.  

(Kari's Barbie camper is in the background.)

 Kari LOVED her gift from Grandma and Grandpa Lindseth--a great, big, stuffed animal with lots of zippers and pockets for her to put "special" things in (and then forgetting all about them).

Britta's first Christmas.
She was a little shell-shocked by all of the unbridled avarice going on.

Christian loved his new Ronaldo jersey and shorts that he got.

And I loved my new wellies!

The only picture of all four big kids together
--they were going in all different directions the rest of the day!

Daddy and Britta, opening a gift or two as well!

Christmas Eve

 I'll start out this post about Christmas Eve with a picture of the sun shining on our drive to my grandma's house, where we spent the evening with family.  The sun had not been shining much and so I was just so grateful to see it's happy face on Christmas Eve!

The evening was filled with delicious food and family fun.  We opened a few gifts and enjoyed being together.

Pretty Grandma and Sweet Britta

Crazy Uncle Kyle

 Family pictures!  (Not too shabby!)

Auntie Erin and Emily--happy!

Ju Ju enjoys her new Frozen seek-and-find book

Christian and his new Hex Bug toy

Emily loves her new books.

Kari loves her new Barbie

Britta loves her new dress :-)

 Once we got home, the big kids set out milk and cookies for Santa, along with their letters.  This year they had some very specific questions for Santa (and I think he did a pretty good job answering them!).

And then, at long last, it was time to head off to bed and await the magic that is Christmas!

Christmas Eve {Day}

At last!  Christmas Eve!  (I was so behind in blogging I didn't think I'd ever make it to Christmas.  But, here I am, only three months late!)

On Christmas Eve Day, my friend, Joy, invited both Emily and Christian to play some Christmas music up at the Mormon Trail Center with her piano students.  Emily, who continues to not want to play in front of crowds, declined, but Christian was all about it!  And, he did soooo well (and was just so cute too :-))!

Introducing himself and what he'll be playing

 Here he is, my little Mozart.  The first song he played was one he'd planned on playing and had been practicing.

 The second song was one he'd played, but not for a couple of weeks.  He just decided to do it right then!  I was very impressed :-).

Here he is afterwards--what a handsome guy!

Grandpa and Grandma came to watch and cheer him on too :-).

 Afterwards, we went upstairs where they had a Nativity Scene that you could dress up with.  And, we have enough kiddos for Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a Wiseman, and an Angel.

Our sweet baby!

 Everyone was all smiles one minute....

 ...And then the moment ended and it was time to go home!

Angel on the Tree 2014

For the record, both Christian and Juliana took turns putting the angel on the tree in 2014.

Pre-Christmas Church Pictures

Each year I try and get a picture of the kids in their church clothes on the Sunday before Christmas.  This year was especially funny.  Apparently, not getting to hold Britta is just too much for Kari.

 But, she's all smiles once Miss B is in her arms :-).