our christmas

We had just arrived home from Grandma & PaPa's house that afternoon.  We had every intention of attending the Christmas Eve service at church as we usually do.  It just wasn't our night however with all the screaming, fighting, and craziness going on as we attempted to get them all dressed.  We finally succeeded but never made it to church.  It was an executive decision that Jason let me make. I was upset about missing church but in that moment, it was definitely best for our family.  And I am positive those in the church service would thank us if they saw how our children were acting.

This first photo basically sums up our Christmas...out of focus, chaotic, uncooperative with a little sweetness thrown in here and there.

The next photo is my favorite from our Christmas at home.  I didn't think I was asking too much when I tried to get a picture of all four dressed up but Tyson did.  He wanted nothing to do with it.  This was unlike him, but it turned out that he was getting sick and it made sense later.  In the midst of the chaos, big sister loved on baby sister and I caught it.  It was what I needed that day and my heart feels happy everytime I see this photo and remember this moment.  A true diamond in the rough.

I also love this one.

We did manage to decorate a couple cookies for Santa and cut up some carrots for the reindeer.

Avery worked hard on pictures and notes for Santa.  She had asked for an "Our Generation" girl from Target and so she drew a picture of one reminding Santa of her wish.  She then drew a picture of a star and asked Santa to bring a star for our tree.  With our new (very flimsy) artificial tree, our star was way too heavy so we had been without one.  Avery added "we ned wun ples" to the corner so Santa would understand.

She left him other notes asking if a few different bells we had lying around had come from his sleigh as well as a wish list for the whole family.  She thinks of everything.

She usually finds household items and toys to give us as gifts and then wraps them up in various baby doll blankets or whatever she can find.

This was Mia's year.  She was a lot of fun.  It was neat to watch her because she clearly did not remember Christmas from the year before so it seemed all new to her.

I love it when they get excited over new toothbrushes in their stocking.

Somebody always has to wear their stocking.

They got a joint gift from us that they had fun opening up together.

Poor Avery had a rough morning.  She got in bed with us first thing when she woke up and was crazy excited.  Then she was lying on her belly and turned around too quickly and tweaked her neck somehow.  She could barely move it the whole day and for the next couple.  She was even willing to let Tyson open up her stocking gifts because it hurt her to move.  It was so sad and when Avery is not herself, none of us are.  She did have fun despite the crooked neck and was very happy that Santa brought her what she hoped for.

Mimi got her "Lala-Oopsy" as she calls it.  She was happy about the pink hair.

Mia was so sweet to open Violet's gifts for her and then show them to her.  I loved that part.

I attempted a picture of all four with their Santa gifts.  It's a funny one.

We had our cinnamon rolls for breakfast after presents.

Even Avery's new doll enjoyed some cinnamon rolls.

Avery made sure her, Tyson, & Mia each had a toy baby Jesus at their seat for breakfast.  We sang "Happy Birthday" to our Savior and then enjoyed a few cinnamon rolls.

After that, it was time to enjoy the presents.

Tyson was pumped about his race track.  His face was priceless when he opened it.  So fun!

We made a gingerbread house during Mia's nap that day.  That was fun and they ate the candy from it all day long.

Violet's very first Christmas seriously wore her out.

We did learn a few things from our crazy Christmas and we'll just go ahead and share the wisdom...

1.) Always make sure the video camera batteries are charged before Christmas morning.

2.) If you have a 3 month old, it might be wise to take a year off traveling.

3.) Don't let your daughter get in bed with you. Just head straight downstairs so that she doesn't tweak her neck and spend the day in pain.

4.) And most importantly, never let your husband get a vasectomy the week before Christmas.  (yes, that's right...no more baby Judds for us.)  : (