The Holidays

Wow, I cant believe how fast the holidays come and go. I almost feel a little sad because there is so much anticipation, and then it's just over so fast. We had such a good season. We spend Christmas Eve with the Fowers side, and Christmas morning with the Layne side. It has always worked really well for us and we get to see both families every year. On Christmas Eve we went out to Jared's mom's house and had a great dinner and then sang carols and read the story of Jesus birth. You know, you here the story every year, and it is miraculous still every year.

After the story we put together about 120 Humanitarian kits. It was a great thing to watch...all the kids working together to get these bags of nececity items for people with nothing. Clay and I talked about how it would feel to actually be excited to get a bag with tooth paste, toothbrushes, a comb, soap, and some rags to clean up with. I still cant imagine.

We got home about 9:00, and tried to get the kids to bed. Clay of course just couldn't settle himself down to go to sleep. I had to rub his back for about 1/2 hour. It makes me giggle still thinking about it :) Garrett came upstairs at 1:00 to ask if he could just open one of his present's. We say Garrett it is 1:00 in the morning, you need to go back to sleep. When Jared took him back to bed, his bed was even made, because he was all ready for Christmas! He is so funny. The boys woke up about 6:30 which I thought was not too bad. They had to go wake Ellie up, and boy was she excited to find out that Santa actually came to our house!

Christmas Eve Memories at Grama Fowers

The kids were all so happy with their gifts, and I had such a fun time watching their excitement. It's crazy how you just don't even care about yourself when you have kids to watch. I just love how happy they look, and how curious they are about each other's gifts.

My 4 Christmas Blessings

Drake doing what baby's do best with paper and boxes.

Christmas morning we go to my parents house to eat breakfast and open gifts. My Dad makes the best breakfast ever and I swear it tastes better every year! I do have to say that I was a little disappointed that Jared couldn't put down as many eggs this year... or maybe not beause we all know what eggs do to us.

It was so fun watching my mom this year. We had Konra Poll make her a picture frame that holds all the grandkids pictures. I cant believe I haven't taken a picture of it, but I will. It is the coolest frame ever, and my mom cried when she got it. It was so fun to see her so pleased with something. We hung it up for her that day, and it will be a conversation piece for sure. Jason drew my name and made me some way nice black shelves with his very own hands. I think home made gifts are always so special... My mom gave us all money this year and on Saturday she made a big pot of soup and had us all come for dinner. Then she watched the kids while all of us kids went shopping together. We had 2 hours and 15 minutes to spend all of our money. Then we had to bring back what we bought and show my parents. It was the funnest shopping spree I have ever been on. I don't know if it was because we were timed or what but we all had such a fun time together. Even Jason(who isn't fond of shopping) admitted to having fun. We even drove in the same car(thanks Michelle and Kaylon) and went to all the same places through the night. This is my mom's new tradition for Christmas, we all love it!

What a good looking family I have (: