Christmas

The boys woke up at 6:20, and while Hyrum was very interested in going downstairs to see what was left in his stocking, they waited reasonably well as we first read the Christmas story in their room. As excited as they were about stockings, the noise coming from the play room drew their immediate attention and they discovered this years big gift: a bounce house. What a hit! 

I love Hyrum's face in the above picture. It looks like he's being beamed up somewhere. And while the quality isn't great in the picture below, what pure joy is radiating from my bouncing two year old.

After about 10 minutes in the bounce house, we made it into the living room to open the rest of the presents. The stockings mostly just had treats in them, though they did all include new toothbrushes. Hyrum had a great time pulling gifts out from under the tree and identifying the first letter in the name of the recipient. 

Abraham got into ripping off wrapping paper and discovering the contents of boxes, but it took a bit of coaxing as he was mostly interested in the fruit snacks and sweedish fish from his stocking and the fancy pretzels I brought out to tide everyone over until breakfast.

Poor Hyrum, he's way too cool to be posing for a picture with his Mama.

The rest of the morning was dedicated to playing. Matthew got a soldering station, and I got slippers and a couple sweaters. Along with some movies, the boys each got sets of vehicles that come with various guys and accessories, as well as Leapfrog products. Hyrum got a leapster2 and some games, and Abraham got a music player. Probably the most popular item in the bunch was the giant squid that came with Hyrum's boat set. The tentacles detach and and harpoons and radar dishes can be attached in their place. It also has suction cups on each leg which hold on to hard surfaces amazingly well. We've all had a great deal of fun transforming Sid the Squid.

Everyone took nice long naps in the afternoon. While Abraham and I each slept in our beds, Matthew and Hyrum turned the bounce house into a giant air mattress and had themselves a little slumber party.

After the boys went to bed, rather unwillingly at 8pm, Matthew and I ate chips and salsa while watching the Doctor Who Christmas special, then stayed up late finishing a bottle of sparkling pomegranate juice and talking by the light of the tree. What a lovely, perfect day!

We are truly thankful for family and for all the blessings we enjoy because of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate. We are so grateful for all the grandparents that made this Christmas so much fun, and hope they feel our love as we are far away from them.