Finally Christmas

On the morning of Christmas, Madi and Katelin came into our room around 5:45 am. We then proceeded to wake up Alissa and Zack, and head down to check if Santa had come. Present opening began immediately, which included a Nintendo Wii for the whole family. The girls were also happy to receive at least one of the presents they really wanted from Santa. We were a little disappointed that after 3 weeks of trying to keep Zack from opening the gifts under the tree, that by Christmas morning, he had no interest in seeing what was inside for him. He was less than thrilled about he whole event actually. He only wanted to play with everyone elses gifts that had already been opened, which of course made them mad. Even after a peek of what was inside the wrapping paper, he still wouldnt rip it off...instead he just tried to play with it through the opening in the paper. Maybe by his birthday he will get it! After present opening, I made our traditional Christmas breakfast, while Ryan tried to get all the gifts out of their boxes and that frustrating twisty wire off. Even thought there wasnt much interest in eating, we had breakfast and then played the rest of the day. It only became frustrating for a moment when one of the kids started asking for MORE presents! But I think they will have enough to keep them busy...for a few days at least! Thanks to everyone who sent us gifts. They helped make our Christmas special!

The Wii

Zack got a Geo Trax train set, a remote control "bounceback racer", and a Lightning McQueen ride on car. Of course the box is always fun too!

Katelin with her look alike American Girl doll. Santa's elves couldnt make the real version due to copyrights (and they are too pricey to buy), but she cant tell the difference!

The kids got an easel to share.

Brylee had to get her first BYU shirt.

Mom got lots of kinds of games, and Dad got a new coat. Madi got a fashion designer set to prepare for her career when she grows up, and Alissa couldnt wait to get her "Chou Chou" baby.

We always pose with all our gifts for a picture when were done. Here we all are with our stashes!

Alissa also got a sleeping bag, we forgot to put in the picture.

Christmas Eve

The long awaited day, before the longer awaited day was finally here! The kids started out by taking advantage of our 2 feet of snow and building snowmen with Dad. This was really Zacks first experience in the snow. Please dont mind his pink flower boots...thats what happens when you have 4 sisters! They all loved it, and Katelin became quite the pro at snowball rolling! After they came in and warmed up with hot chocolate, we ate lunch and made cookies for Santa. The girls love to frost and decorate the Christmas shaped cookies. Then after watching "Elf", and having dinner, we performed our annual family rendition of the Christmas Story. This year, Mom was Mary, Zack (a neglectful) Joseph, Madison a shepherd, Katelin a wiseWOMAN, Alissa the angel, Dad the donkey and inn keeper, and of course, Brylee was baby Jesus. Zack wasnt having any of keeping his robe on, so he was a Joseph of the future. Then it was time for the opening of the Christmas Eve PJ's. Alissa was the most excited to recieve her new tinkerbell nightgown with matching slippers and a wand. Then finally it was time for baths, scriptures and off to bed. What a long day!

Random Pictures

Here are a few pictures from over the last month. Its been a busy one!

Katelin and Alissa visiting Santa.

Madi during her school music program. (Notice the kid behind her)

Zack sneaking the Ice cream out of the freezer and having a taste.

And of course, Brylee at two weeks old!

Four day fun

I was having a good time taking Brylee's pictures today for her birth announcements. Here are a couple I love, and the rest you will have to wait and see on the announcements. She is so easy going and happy as you can see! (Which I need, so its good) I know its probably "just gas", but she must have had a lot of it, because she kept smiling like this. Pretty good for 4 days old.

We just love her!

Welcome Brylee Joy

She's finally here! Brylee Joy Taylor was born into our family at 7:44 pm, Sunday December 7, 2008. She weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz, and was 19 1/2 inches long. Only 2 oz bigger than Madison was! I was so excited to see that I finally got one with my hair genes, because she has lots of dark hair! Lets hope she keeps it. We checked into the hospital around 3:00 pm, and overall I would say the labor went pretty well. Im happy to report that I was able to do it all naturally again, after being afraid I wouldnt be able to do it again.
Big sisters are all so excited she is here, and cant get enough of her. Alissa's comment in the hospital was that "she's soo cute and little...just like a kitten." They couldnt sleep last night while she was still at the hospital, because they missed her too much, and it was pure torture to Madison and Katelin to have to go to school today and wait longer to see her again. Zack is aware of the presence of a new baby, and is learning that he cant poke her eyes, sit on her, pull her out of her car seat and yank on her blanket when he wants to see her. It will be quite an adjustment for him. So far he is just having fun with it.
Mom and baby are doing well. Brylee does have to go back to the hospital tomorrow to get checked for jaundice and have her hearing screening re-done, since she failed it the first time. They said its probably due to the amount of meconium in the water before it broke. She was pretty full of mucus at birth. Its perfectly normal, but we are still anxious to hear a positive test result. Ever since we got home today, she has been sleeping. Of course she didnt sleep this soundly at the hospital, so Im pretty tired. But we promised pictures today, so here are a few. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support!
-Heather

Christmas Tag

Ive never done a "tag", but this looked fun, so here it goes...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? definitely wrapping paper, it takes longer to open thus prolonging the Christmas experience. Plus, the kids cant peek!
2. Real tree or Artificial? I love the smell of real trees, but they are pricey, and usually end up dying before Christmas and leaving a big mess all over the floor. So we opt for the cheaper fake ones, and go with a nice evergreen smelling candle instead.
3. When do you put up the tree? The day after Thanksgiving.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually by new years.
5. Do you like eggnog? I love it, everyone else doesnt. So I get to drink the whole carton myself! YUM. This year, the first carton intended for Thanksgiving didnt quite make it, so I had to buy another one. It is yummy in Sprite too!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? A pony...Just Kidding. Thats what I always wanted, but never got, so I think the next best thing was either the ski's or the big box of Twix candy bars. I love chocolate!
7. Hardest person to buy for? Ryan by far! And then the parents.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My girls of course. They want everything! The hard part is narrowing it down to what they want the most.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Just a tiny glass one. I never know where to put it for fear it will get broken. Ide love a bigger one, but still dont know where it would go.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. C'mon people, dont be lazy! I love getting Christmas cards, so get sendin! (Although, I did send an e-mail Christmas update last year because it was an after thought. But the card with picture was in the mail!)
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? underwear, or that hideous sweater when I was little. (Sorry Mom and Dad!) Kids are so picky about clothes!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, and the Santa Claus.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Fall
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes. Still new, never even used! Im not proud of it!
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Peanut brittle, toffee, homemade caramel, Dads Fudge. All very healthy, I know.
16. Lights on the tree? Most people think I am crazy, but I usually do about 10-15 strands. Ive been trying to scale back though. This year was a record with only 6 or 7. But I dont think it looks as good!
17. Favorite Christmas song? Hmm...all of them! Hallelujah chorus is nice. Oh, and the forgotten carols (Michael McLean). But they are all good.
18. Travel at Christmas time or stay home? Ive never really traveled, since weve always been close to family...until now. So I guess stay home for me.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? If I sing Rudolf...wait how many are there?
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Weve always had a star, but Im cool either way.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? The popular Christmas Eve Jamies the night before, and the rest on Christmas.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds at the store! Thats why we try to get the shopping done early! All you black Friday people are crazy!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? All of them.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We always eat Egg Ala King (or egg toast as the kids call it), with bacon and hot cocoa for breakfast. Then ham, scalloped potatoes, jell-o and rolls for dinner. And of course, egg nog for me!
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? a pain free labor, without the epidural! Ha ha. But seriously...a new car!

Now I tag all of you who havent done this! YOUR IT!