Christmas, Christmas time is here...

Tell me you got my pun in my title and are now singing...'time for joy, and time for cheer", in the voice of the chipmunks? Alright, maybe thats just me. Anywho, of course the Christmas Eve ritual is always the same, so I will spare a ton of details. You know the drill...Lights, Cookies, Nativity play, presents....

Lets just skip to the pictures, shall we.

This year, we decided to try some new cookies. You've seen their kind. Checkers and swirls. Well, they required a few drops of food color to make them pretty so we snapped on some gloves and kneaded away until the color was mixed in perfectly. Of course, Madi claimed green...

Alissa and Katelin worked in the red, and the chocolate.

Zack and Brylee got a chance to get their hands dirty too. Thats the fun part, right?

While the cookies baked, we engaged in a little dramatic enterp. You know which one, but can you guess who is playing who?

In this scene, you will see Joseph consoling Mary after he finds out she is pregnant.

Brylee insisted on being baby Jesus, even though we told her she was too big. She laid there for about 10 seconds.

Ryan and I switched places this year, and he played King Herod, and Madi and I were the wise women. If you look in the group picture, you will notice, Madi even made a beard for herself using her hair. Silly girl. Oh, and yes, we also doubled as a shepherds.

Up next, like always-the Christmas Eve present opening. Since I made the PJ's earlier to use for our Christmas Cards, they got something else relating to bed time, and a new book.

Brylee got a new Tangled blanket and Elephant and Piggie Books. Like I mentioned before, Mo Willems is my favorite Childrens book author, and these books top the list.

Zack received Perry the Platypus slippers, and some different Elephant Piggie books.

Alissa got a robe...and Elephant Piggie books. There are quite a few...I think we have the complete set now. (:

Katelin also got a robe, and a different Mo Willems book-Knuffle Bunny Free. So cute, it makes me cry. The book I mean, but Katelin is cute too.

And Madi also got a robe, and shockingly, not a Mo Willems book. This one is by Glenn Beck. Good Christmas Story.

I still got PJ pants, just because I needed them.

And Ryan cant sleep in "confining clothing", so he got a pair of athletic shorts. Dont ask me why he is wearing them on his face. He must miss the warmth of his November beard. (:

And, in case you didnt see our Christmas PJ's picture because well....you didnt get a Christmas card...here are a few of those too, including a few extras as well.

The Silly Pose
The Faces pose
The kids that look like they love each other pose
The family pose
And the train pose

Finally the 4 hour cookies were done, and ready for Santa. Think he can eat all those?

Some sleeping did occur, although not much...and then it was that magical time at 5 AM to go downstairs to see if you made the naughty or nice list.

Zacks first visual...a new sled! Too bad we havent had any snow this year. He'll have to use his imagination for now.
Oreo enjoyed the sled rope.
As tradition states, the order of present opening goes from youngest to oldest. Normally the kids exchange names for who to buy for. This year however, on top of the names, I had a couple kids who went the extra mile and bought gifts for everyone with their own money. Youll see who when you get to their list of goods. (;

First up, as youngest Taylor participant: Brylee. She got her own barbie Stuff from Santa (since her sisters dont like to share theirs).
Okay, pictures must be out of order.

Santa brought Katelin a camera...
Madi, a kindle...
Zack, a "big truck" remote control hummer...
and Alissa got tangled barbie stuff.
I will spare you all the pictures, but I had to get some huggy ones.

Madi and Katelin got a Pictionary DS game to share.
Alissa got Katelin an I-Carly DS game. She likes it, if you couldnt tell.
And then we hit the point in the morning where disappointment struck. Short back story: Brylee loves Dora. All season long, she was talking about getting a Dora doll. Santa wasnt getting credit for this one! But what was her reaction when she opened the gift?...

Yeah. Isnt that the saddest face you've ever seen? What up with that!? Needless to say, she decided to take a break from gifts for a while. She'll return later.

Zack, however loved every one of his gifts. I think Brylee liked his better too.

Here is something else he really wished for, a ball you can bounce on.
Cant leave out Oreo. He got kitty treats, and some gourmet canned cat food (since normally he gets the cheap dry stuff).
Now this is the response we all hope for after deliberating, fighting crowds, and going broke...
Madi got the complete Harry Potter Movie set. Well, minus the last one. Mom and Dad took credit for that one too. Although, she knows we really get credit for all of them.

And then came time for the present of all presents. They all got to open this one at the same time, because it was basically the same thing. Zack was confused by how he should use the dog bones. Yuck.

Yes, thats right...surprise! We are getting a dog. Zack still trying to figure it out by reading the fine print. "What the heck did you get me dog bones for!?"

After seeing all that happiness, Brylee decided to return and try her luck again. She opened the present from Katelin this time. We're in luck! She likes it. Okay, maybe Christmas isnt so bad after all.

After Church, Brylee and Zack put their toys to good use. Zack climbed inside his truck box and Brylee held him hostage with his laser gun. "Dont shoot! Im innocent!"

Now for the final loot pictures.

Madi
From "Santa": Kindle (which I just noticed is not shown here...hmmm.), DS Pictionary, Wii Minute to Win it Game, stocking stuff

From Mom and Dad: Harry Potter Movies

From Zack: Kuponk game

From Alissa: pen she wanted

From Katelin: homemade word search and picture.

Katelin
From Santa: camera, DS Pictionary, Horton hears a Who movie, Stocking Stuff

From Mom and Dad: Clothes for her "American Girl" doll

From Alissa: I-Carly DS game

From Madi: silly bands

Alissa
From Santa: Tangled Barbie set, barbie movie, leapster game, Stocking stuff

From Mom and Dad: Barbie Clothes

From Zack: Barbie Movie

From Madi: Zooble

Zack
From Santa: Hummer Remote control Car, Cars 2, Leapster game, stocking stuff

From Mom and Dad: Ball to bounce on...what are those called!? (Not shown here)

From Madi: Laser gun, Spiderman action figures, dinosaur

From Alissa: Airplane shooter

Brylee

From santa: Barbie Teacher set, Planet 51 movie, Brainy Smurf, Stocking stuff

From Mom and Dad: Dora Doll (flop)

From Katelin: Bed Time Dog

From Madi: Cinderella mice figures

From Alissa: Crown and wand

Family Gifts
From Santa: board games, sled

From Mom and Dad: A DOG...to be adopted at a later date.

From Uncle Willie and Aunt Tina: Christ picture, game

From Tiff and Steve: Brownie Mix, snowman with hand towels

From Grandma and Grandpa H.: Movies, 3D bookmarks, St.George Pomagranites (yum)

From Grandma and Grandpa T: Gift card

Ryan and I didnt pose for pictures this year, but Santa brought us a new Blue Ray Player, and a Dell Tablet, which has finally introduced us to the craze of Angry Birds. Ryan actually seems quite addicted to it, which is not a normal thing. Madi got Ryan some juggling balls and a squeezy stress person thing. I got him a new shaver. Madi got me a locket necklace, and Ryan got me a BYU hoodie, and also an early gift of a new Washer and Dryer. I dont think our clothes were actually getting clean until now. So nice.

So that wraps it up. Another Christmas in the bag!

Hope yours was great too!