This year Ethen was really good and received a special video message from... SANTA! This proves that Santa does exist!!! What a treat this was for Ethen!
password: santa
For Jonathon I decided to do a 12 Days of Christmas for him. I went backwards and started on the 14th. Here's the breakdown. Now mind you some of these are a little cheesy but I wanted to stay within the relm of "MAKEING" the gifts or giving him something that didn't cost money.
Day 12 - 12 love notes. I printed individual notes and taped them up all over so he would find them. Day 11 - 11 nights of snuggling. Day 10 - 10 your choice meals (since he NEVER picks what he wants for dinner). Day 9 - 9 back massages. Day 8 - 8 sugar cookies. (I was making cookies for friends and cut out the letters in his name sinse there are 8). Day 7 - 7 trash free days (he ALWAYS takes out the trash so I thought to give him a little break). Day 6 - 6 meals in bed. Day 5 - 5 texted kisses (this was fun I sent "MUAH" in a text 5 times that day to let him know I was thinking of him). Day 4 - 4 deviled eggs (ok this is the bizarre one and one that I regret. not only did he get those but mom cooked breakfast burritos for dinner. Needless to say I needed a gas mask that night!) Day 3 - 3 movies your choice. Day 2 - 2 loaves of bread. Day 1 - 1 pair of fingerless gloves.
This was a great idea and I might have to do this again! Here is Jonathon opening his gloves.
Jonathon made Ethen a TREASURE MAP for Christmas. We saw a movie where people were looking for treasure and Ethen said he would like to do that. So, wish granted! It was really fun to watch. Jonathon constructed a box for the treasure and filled it with money and candy then burried it in the back yard. He then made the map and Ethen was ready to go! The video is of Ethen on his treasure hunt - Enjoy!password: treasure
Mom drew my name and made me this wonderful wall hanging. It has one of my favorite sayings on it "The Storm Stops Here". It's meant to be hung outside meaning that the stressful storms that rage from the outside world stop at the door of your home. Home is where you should find peach, not storms!
I think he's a little excited that Santa brought him what he asked for! Way to go Santa - you're a hero this year!
We are trying to teach Ethen that Christmas isn't about Santa, getting gifts or all the hype that the world has made it out to be. It's about the birth of our Savior, the greatest gift we could possibly receive! We had the great privilage to have the Missionaries for dinner on Christmas Eve. They told us of a time when one of thier sisters was on her mission. Her Mission President had told her once that there are 3 stages of Christmas: A Santa Christmas, a baby Jesus Christmas and then a Savior Christmas. The first is good and teaches about the spirit of giving. The second even better when we start to focus on Jesus, but the third is the greatest. It is when we finally celebrate for the purpose of Christ, a savior. He said himself that "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). He truely is our friends and showed us the greatest love by giving willingly his life for us. So each year we not only give a gift from Santa but a gift from our Heavenly Father. This year Ethen received a new tie for church with the Noah's Ark on it.
Ethen made out like a bandit this year: New suit (from the big boy section no longer in the baby sections!), Scooter, train set, lots of books, some Book of Mormon action figures, Leapster game, Moon Dough set, and new learning computer (thanks Amari). This kid hit the jackpot!
Ethen and daddy playing with his new train set!
Ethen on his first trip on the scooter. This pose has become a staple pose for pictures lately. He's such a ham I can never get any candid pictures!
The greatest part of Christmas for me is having family come together. This is my grandma, my cousin, Chad, and his daughter, Brealyn. What a great time spent with family.
Here's my boys all dressed up for Sunday Church... new suits for the both of them! Don't they looks "SNAZY!!!"
Ok... now that's more like my boys... typical!
And here... our happy little family. The greatest joy in my life are these two standing next to me. I am so grateful for them!
We hope you all had the best Christmas. May the Spirit of God be with you in the coming year and always!
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