Christian took the boys golfing during Christmas break.
Our family headed to the Zoo to see "Jungle Bells," but we unfortunately picked a day when it closed early . . . so we decided we'll have to return in a few days.
Dancing at the zoo.
We enjoyed the full moon tonight as we left the zoo.
We begin all our Christmas mornings by lining up behind the sheet. NO PEEKING or you lose a present!
Merry Christmas, family!
Joseph's stocking stuff and Santa gifts.
Orrin's stocking stuff and Santa gifts.
Amara's stocking stuff.
Amara received a High School Musical singing game for the PS2 from Santa.
Aleya's stocking stuff.
Aleya received new princess dresses from Santa.
Dad received a giftcard to Panda Express and fortune cookies, among his other stocking gifts.
Mom received a new purse from Santa (but no money in it :0(, sadly).
New feather pillows for the boys with new comforters for their beds.
Our family received a karaoke machine. YAY! Family Karaoke Night!
Joseph received his most highly desired Ipod Touch (but the catch was that he had to pay half the cost).
Orrin received a cell phone (for its entertainment, photo, video, and music properties). He cannot get cell service until he is 11 or 12 by showing responsibility.
Amara enjoyed making treats for the family with her cotton candy machine. It actually was a pretty positive and fun Christmas Day. Everyone seemed grateful for the gifts they received.
Every Christmas Eve, our family acts out the nativity, as Christian reads from the bible. We also take turns filling the various roles in the story.
Mom and Dad were Mary and Joseph this year.
Aleya wanted to be the Angel this year.
Amara wanted to be a shepherd with Joseph.
Curtain rod shepherd stick.
Orrin represented one of the three wise men.
It never goes off terribly smoothly, but it is an important tradition to continue.
The Angel loved baby Jesus.
Christian helped the kids finish the gingerbread house. We always like to add in leftover Halloween candy.
This year we added a musical Christmas train set to our Christmas decor. The kids had a lot of fun with it.
The kids opened up their new pajamas, again. It is an unhappy tradition for some (he'd rather get something else). The boys just received pajama pants this year. AND NOW . . . OFF TO BED! Actually the boys didn't finally fall asleep until around close to 11:30PM (talking in their room). That meant that I was up wrapping, surprisingly with Christian's help this time, until around 3:30AM. Ugh. I need to wrap more things ahead of time in the future. I'm getting too old for this.
We journeyed up to Laguna Beach to my Aunt Cheri's home for our Moody family Christmas gathering for those in Southern California.
The dinner was fantastic, as always, with a Scandinavian theme this year.
We all played the gift exchange game.
My aunt Robyn always prepares a special number to share.
Many family members shared their musical talents with us.
I will continue to regret that I didn't sing a number, as well. I left my sheet music at home and I should have just sung it acapella. Christian and my kids thought I should have sung it. Too bad it is our last year to come to this, since we'll likely be moving.
My uncle Stan serenaded us, along with his daughters.
Amara played some Christmas songs she learned for the family.
My girls danced to the beautiful music.
It reads, "The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of cruising danced in their heads. Mom in her evening gown and dad in his tux, had just settled down for a gourmet dinner deluxe."
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