Sunday December 25 (add lots of pictures)

Merry Christmas!

I thought it might be an early morning.

All the kids slept together in Elsie's room.

Once they all got to sleep, it was a quiet night.

I set my alarm to wake up at 5:30 so I could get a shower in for sure.

After my shower I got ready (back in my PJ's) and got ready to go wake them up when Madi sent me a text that they were awake :)

So we had them all go to the bathroom and then we did our usual line-up on the stairs.

It was such a nice morning.

About half way through presents, Bubbles, Eldon and Eldon's brother Bobby stopped by.

They finished opening present with us and then had cinnamon rolls with us.

Last night they came over to be little Elves with us :)

We got the kids a pool table (used) and we needed help getting it into the house.

They were so excited to come over and see what the kids thought.

They are the best!

Once we were done opening presents, we got ready for church.

We got there early because the girls would be singing in the choir.

It was such a beautiful sacrament meeting.

That is all we had today, no classes.

It was so nice to sit and listen to the beautiful music and enjoy watching my beautiful girls.

Elsie made sure she was right by Sierra and she made sure she held the music for her and helped lift her head a few times and was full of smiles.

There is no way she would ever go up there and be so involved with the choir if it wasn't for sweet Sierra and their friendship.

They are so great for each other.

Cassi also participated in a quartet that had 5 singers :)

It was a capella and just so beautiful!

I am glad she had the opportunity to be a part of that!

Madi was beautiful up there on the stand too.

I am proud of her for going up there....being up in front and people watching has not always been something she would be comfortable with.

But she has really blossomed this last year or so and has been willing to try out new things.

After the meeting I had so many people com eup to me and comment on sweet Elsie.

One lady told me that 'Elsie IS Christmas' and it made her whole day being able to watch those two friends.

Another lady told me that their whole row was in tears watching her help Sierra.

Made my mama heart swell.

Yes, Elsie is so sweet and helpful to Sierra, but it is really nothing compared to what Sierra has done for Elsie.

The confidence she gives her, she pushes Elsie to try new things.

It is a pretty neat thing that those two have.

I am so grateful to be able to watch it all!

Once we were home we got into presents and played a bit and just hung out as a family.

After some lunch we all sat down and watched the Nativity movie.

It really is such a beautiful story and I am so grateful for this special day to be able to reflect on how the Savior's birth has changed our lives.

How it makes it all possible to be able to get back to Heaven.

It is pretty darn great :)

The rest of the day was spent playing. putting together puzzles, and there was still a healthy amount of fighting :(

Elsie was SOOOO happy with everything she got!

She got a great DR coat and DR hat and a real pink stethoscope from Emmy.

She has been playing DR on everyone today.

It has been a blast for her.

Emmy always does the most perfect things for the kiddos!!!!!

For dinner tonight we had Fondue and it was a lot of fun.

For desert we dipped strawberries into chocolate fondue :)

Then we stopped by to visit the Capall's for a little Christmas hello.

Before bed, we had to get a little game on Ping-pong in.

We got a table-top thing that goes over the pool table so we can have a 2 in 1 thing.

It will be pretty fun.

Once we get back in town we will have to get it all the way upstairs.

But I am very excited about it!

We will head out tomorrow to see Gramps.

We are all excited to go and see family for this next week.

Praying the roads are not bad during any of our travels!!!!!