Another Christmas To Remember! Memories of 2009

Another Christmas To Remember

And yes, it was!

I had been looking forward to this Christmas in particular as it would be our first Christmas with our entire family in tact. With the birth of Alyssa, this year has been a year of firsts and lasts. Experiencing each holiday with her as the newest member of the family was exciting! Realizing that with each passing week and month, we were that much closer to our last moments with a baby in our home. Therefore, this Christmas was a celebration of firsts and lasts.

On Christmas Eve, we went over to Grandma Barbie and Poppie's home for dinner and presents. I forgot my camera so I have nothing to show for this but let me remind any reader of my blog that Dave's mom does it up nice! Every detail, from the table cloth to the wrapping paper, it always beautiful and this year's Christmas Eve was no exception. The kids came home with games, dolls, clothes and movies. Thanks so much to the Lindsays!

We arrived home at 11:30pm, put out our stockings and the kids went right down to bed. Dave had been feeling under the weather all day. I encouraged him to stay up with me since I had done everything to get ready for Christmas at that point, but he couldn't do it...and fell asleep on our chair. This is a fore-shadowing of the entire Christmas day at the Lindsay home.

Christmas Morning

On Christmas morning, there was a path of reindeer droppings from the kids' rooms to the living room! The kids were so excited to see what Santa had brought them! Here are some pictures I quickly took before the kids came out.

Jaxson and Taylor's gifts

Austin's stocking in between Dave's and mine....

(Speaking of the stockings, I need to pause here and insert something interesting. Dave and I decided ahead of time to not give each other presents since we are going to Hawaii in 6 weeks with our friends, the Johnstons, which made Christmas shopping really nice. It was decided that we would just take care of each other's stockings. Well, on Christmas Eve day, Dave asked, "Do you have everything taken care of for the stockings? I replied, "Yes, we're all good." So on Christmas morning, I awoke to....an empty stocking! I said to Dave under my breath, "Did Santa forget me or what?" Dave looked shocked and replied, "You SAID you took care of everything?" Oh, yes. ANOTHER Christmas mis-communication for Dave and Jody! Thank goodness we're madly in love with each other or we'd just be mad. :)

Baby Girl Alyssa's loot!

The kids were so excited for the morning to begin! However, I made them stand still for a few pictures.

Alyssa- 10 months, Jaxson- 5, Austin-3 and Taylor-8.

What in the world did Santa bring the kids?

Taylor got a Hannah Montana Barbie!

Santa knew Jax and Taylor's hearts! They received mp3 "Shakers" to listen to their music! I LOVE these! They have outside speakers as well as ear phone options. Santa was also so smart to pre-load the Shakers with about 40 of the kids' favorite songs!

Austing got a Star Wars helmut and gun as well as the first 3 movies. We have heard these in the background for the past 24 hours so much that I think my hair is naturally starting to look like Princess Lea's.....

Alyssa got her 2nd doll (Grandma Barbie gave her one the night before). She loved it!

The kids were so happy with their presents!

We gave Taylor clothes, Jaxson an art easel and Austin a Star Wars toy. Alyssa received a car seat from mom and dad!

My mom made each one of her 13 grandkids a warm blanket for Christmas this year! They are to keep the kids warm while she and Grandpa Hatch are in the mission field in 2010 (still waiting for the call)!

All wrapped up in love.....!

Our budding artist!

Here is Alyssa Jean kissing her baby doll. Too cute!

Around noon, we sat down to an Abelskival breakfast as a family. Fresh fruit, sausage and orange juice were also enjoyed.

Dave and I feel so blessed to have our family, our health and freedom to live with choices. It's a good life. No, it's a great life! Merry Christmas 2009!