.:Christmastime:.

We had a lovely Christmas here in Utah this year. It has been really fun leading up to it because Reece mostly gets what's going on, and her excitement made it even better! Everything she saw at the store, she would tell me, "Mom, Santa wants to bring me this." She must be tight with Santa!

We started out our festivities in Grantsville at Granny and Grandpa Ken's house. The girls dove right in, helping Auntie Em make some cookies.

We had fun watching Christmas movies and playing dress up while we waited to get things going.

Annie Oakley anyone?

Granny and Grandpa Ken had a pinata for the kids. Basically, Reece swings the bat like a total girl. As Josh said, "We've got a lot of work to do this summer." I just figure it means she's going to be an awesome soccer player, it's way better than baseball anyway! Millie and Ty were champ hitters, and eventually we got all the candy out!

Next it was time for the white elephant gift exchange. We let the kids open all of the gifts, and then drew numbers to choose our gifts. Everyone went home happy, and the kids loved being in charge of the un-wrapping.

We enjoyed a delicious ham dinner (my favorite!) and then it was time for more presents! The kids were in heaven.

This is what Rem did most of the time we were out there; she was not feeling well, and didn't take much part in the festivities.

Harper with cousin Brooks; they are a week apart in age!

Harper with her aunties.

Our attempt at a picture of all the kids in their Christmas jammies.

Rem found her happy pants later in the evening...because of the huge tin of popcorn.

And we capped off the nite with some wrestling with Grandpa Ken.

Christmas morning, we woke up to get to church, and only got to look at the loot Santa had left.

When we told Reece that Santa had come, she said, "But I wanted to talk to him." Yeah. Not quite how it works!

We came home after a lovely sacrament meeting to do our stockings and open presents.

Remi wasn't really getting into it too much; she still wasn't feeling great, and Josh was sick as well. But Reece went to town, opening just about every single present in our house! I think next year I'll just wrap a bunch of empty boxes; she just wanted to un-wrap and un-wrap.

The girls had some fun playing with their new things before we all settled down for a nap.

Later that evening, we headed over to Ryan and Leslie's to have brunch for dinner, spend some time with Grandpa Gary, and deliver gifts to Grandpa Gary.

We had a great Christmas, and were all spoiled rotten! I can't wait for next year with the girls, it just keeps getting more fun!