Christmas 2011

I don't know why but Mike and I had been looking forward to Christmas Day this year more then any other year. It may have had something to do with Nick and Andi both being very excited.

At 7:00 am (I know heavenly right!) we were awoken by Nick and Andi excitedly telling us Santa had come. They then had do wait while Mike and I got dressed. By then Kyle was up and had joined the excited crew.

Here they are waiting...



When it was time they all ran into the living room with screams and yells. Kyle added in the noise and fun but he really had no idea why. It was all very confusing to him.

This year we gave Nick and Andi new bikes which were sorely needed! They loved all their toys and clothing from family and friends! Thank you everyone!

They also got some crash cars that go back together when you push a button. They both loved these!

After presents we had the Moser's over for Christmas breakfast. I guess I was either pretty busy putting it together or really hungary because I forgot to take any pictures. Really, they would probably prefer it that way!

Following that we went to church. I actually LOVED it! Our ward did a music program which brought in a beautiful spirit for the day.

After church we went home and had naps...yep best Christmas ever!

Nick and Andi gave each other bird houses to paint. (I may or may not have helped orchestrate that) so the day after Christmas they spent painting them. They loved painting them and they did a beautiful job!

What bird wouldn't want a house that looks like these two! Maybe I should let them paint my house...or not.

Christopher

This year Santa decided to send an Elf to our house. I have to say it was AWESOME having our visitor. Our elf's name is Christopher and he came with a book explaining why he was here for a visit at our house (another pair of eyes for Santa). Anyway, Christopher likes to hide so every night he would hide somewhere different. This made it so every morning was almost as exciting as Christmas morning. The kids would jump out of bed (usually I have to haul them out crying and whining), and run around the house trying to find Christopher. Some nights he got into things. Other nights he left notes and candy canes for the kids when he noticed them helping each other or someone else. In the end I am not sure who had more fun with it...the kids or Mom and Dad!

This is Christopher Elph-in-kins (search for "Elf on the Shelf" on the internet)

One night Christopher found the tooth paste on the counter and wrote messages to the kids on the mirror..."I'm watching you"...and..."Nick eat your dinner." This was the first message he had written to our family. Nick's eyes about popped out of his head and he nearly licked his plate clean that night! Andrea noticed all the cute little elf footprint on the counter top.

Andrea and Nick were more then willing to clean up after the elf! (wish we could have him all year)

Nick doing his share of work. Notice the elf moved when the kids left the room. He does that as he does not like to be touched by the kids or he loses his magic.

Another night the kids caught Christopher out playing games and eating M&M's with the other toys. He had used his magic to bring them to life.

Another time he tried to make hot chocolate but we think he could not get the water into the pot. He had spilled hot chocolate mix all over the counter top.

One of the nights Christopher got into the kids sock drawers and tried to decorate the tree. The video is below.

When they finally found him.

There he is!! Notice all the socks on the tree!

One of the nights he got hungry and ate an orange. Nick knows he peeled it because the peels were tiny and all over the floor. Christoper doesn't mean to make messes he just gets too excited. On a few nights Christopher wrote tiny little notes (1inX1in) about how happy he was that Andi helped Nick clean up his toys, or how Nick helped Mom set the table so fast, etc. He also left them each a peppermint candy. They were so proud when they read the notes.

The last night he was at our house was christmas eve as he had to go back with Santa of course. The kids were very upset, they didn't want Christmas to come because they didn't want Christopher to leave. The best was christmas morning. When the kids woke up they came out excited with smiles and quickly unwrapped presents, but there was no screaming or running around. Right after they had opened one present from Santa Andrea noticed the candy canes in the kitchen and this is their response.

Christopher definately got a bigger response then Santa Christmas morning! This was so much fun and I highly recommend all other parents out there to ask Santa to send an Elf on the Shelf for their family. The kids absolutely loved it and so did Mike and I! We can't wait for him to visit next year.