Christmas

We had such a fun Christmas. Looking back at pictures, I can't believe how much we got done! It was jam packed with fun activities. 

The boys loved helping me set up our Christmas decorations. We made a Christmas count down chain and had a fun Christmas activity to do each day. To say they loved it is an understatement.  It really made Christmas extra special this year. So many fun traditions. 

The Ralph gift this year was a Swedish candle. The boys were obsessed and Carter wanted it lighted at all times of the day. 

Dayton opened his Christmas present early- a new shot gun.

Cooper really enjoyed the felt Christmas tree. 

We went to Roosevelt for Christmas. Aunt Mariah made the boys a fun Christmas breakfast. Can you tell Carter was excited?

We spent plenty of time playing at the USU gym, the kids had fun playing with Grandma's preschool toys and we had a blast playing pickle ball and spike ball. 

We did lots of Christmas baking- we made are traditional Christmas candies. However, sadly we realized the candy thermometer was off so the caramel turned out more to be a hard rock slab. Luckily, we made another batch with more success. 

Next, we made homemade truffles. YUM

Cayden and Savannah, Bo and Mariah, Carter and Grandpa Dave all participated in the gingerbread house contest. The spent two days finishing their projects. It was intense. 

Christmas Eve, the boys made reindeer food to sprinkle out in the yard.

Then we got into our Christmas pjs. The joys of getting a family picture. 

We played musical instruments and talked about the nativity. Carter, of course, had to be the wise man again.

Cooper was the baby Jesus and Savannah and Cayden were Mary and Joseph. 

Then the boys got to pop popcorn, eat treats and watch a Christmas movie. 

Christmas morning!

Stockings.

The boys were just as excited about their oranges as all their other gifts. Go figure. 

 Dayton "re-opened" his gun. He is very excited about it. 

 Uncle Cayden got Hunter his volcano lego set. Cayden mentioned he would get him one for his birthday in August. Cayden had a hard time finding one, but Hunter didn't let him forget it. Cayden was very sweet to finally get it after many months of searching on Amazon. Hunter was thrilled.

Dayton is notorious for not getting me presents. He is not a gift person and it stresses him out to think of what to get me for any occasion. He usually tries to get out of it by saying, "let's just not get each other anything alright? We don't really need anything so lets just not do gifts. Promise? Like don't try and surprise me because I won't have anything." Lame. Well, he has rocked it lately and has seriously stepped up his game. He was so proud of this gift- and I actually had it figured out before hand because he kept dropping hints and giving it away because he was just too excited about it. I love Starbucks steamers. He found a way for me to make steamed milk at home. It is quite the art, but so delicious. We even bought Starbucks flavorings so it's pretty legit and I can make them from home anytime. Dayton is very sweet and likes making the steamers for me so if he is around he usually makes them- which probably makes them even better! It was a wonderful, and very thoughtful gift.

 The boys bought each other little gifts at the dollar store. Aren't they the cutest brothers? Ahh.

We surprised the boys with a trip to Disneyland. I promise they were more excited! Bhaha.

Games and the gingerbread house contest continues. . . 

The boys had fun making a card board box fort. 

We got fly tying kits and we all tried out tying a few flies for the first time. 

We had to throw in an arm wrestling tournament.

Grandpa Dave made a treasure hunt for the boys outside. He hid clues and everything. Very impressive.

Dayton and I wanted to go for a walk. We decided to get out of our pjs and get ready for the day. We came up the stairs, looked at each other and laughed out loud. Dayton's idea of getting ready- cameo, work pants. We had to take a picture for the contrast. 

Hunter playing k'nex.

Not bad weather for Christmas! Although we were a little sad there wasn't more snow to play in!

Of course the boys had a shooting tournament.

Afterwards, we went axe throwing. It actually turned out to be pretty fun. I will admit I was surprised. Turns out Dayton and I have a hidden talent and were the winners!

We got a little more snow after Christmas and the boys were able to build a snowman.