***Disclaimer***
Some of the pics are really blurry. My camera was having issues and now it will not focus at all.....GRRrrrr!!
Our Family Christmas 2008
We really had a great Christmas this year! Especially since last year at this time...so much was unknown. We are so grateful that my health is good and that we have been given more time to spend together as a family.
On Christmas Eve, after the boys had taken a bath, we heard a knock on the door! Luke and Ty found the presents left by the infamous "Pajama Elf"! The boys had fun opening and putting on their new jammies!! Luke got Super Mario Bro's, Ty got Transformers, and Jake got Curious George pj's.
Then it was time to bring out the Christmas Ball! Grandma Debbie put together the Christmas Ball for us this year and mailed it to us, since we've never been able to do it with the family there in Nauvoo. It's been a fun tradition they've enjoyed over the past couple of years. We had fun with it too and look forward to making it a Christmas Eve tradition.
Once we were done with that, we set out the cookies, milk, and water (Ty insisted) for Santa...and the carrots for the reindeer....the boys went to bed without resistence. They were EXCITED for Santa to come, so they made sure to stay in their room until around 6:30-6:45am. We then decided that we needed to wake up Jake since he was still snoozing in his crib.
Santa brought Ty and Jake a bunkbed, and Luke got a new bike (complete with his very own AZ license plate with his name on it!)!! There were too many things to list, but two of their other favorites were the Star Wars Lego Wii game (from Mommy and Daddy) and the trampoline from Gma and Gpa Holbrook!
We've also been enjoying the outdoor fireplace that was our family gift.
It's been fun sitting around the fire at night! I also made each of the boys a fleece blanket to snuggle with on their beds.
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One hysterical moment while we were opening gifts....
Luke was opening a present and said...
"WHAT THE HELL??!!"
Curt and I looked at each other dumbfounded and asked him what he said.
Luke again said "WHAT THE HELL!"
We told him that that is a bad word and that he shouldn't say it again.
His response was..."Well, I was just REALLY surprised."
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Afterwards, Gma & Gpa Holbrook, Alayna, Ashlie, and Katy came over for breakfast burritos! Good times...good food! Later that evening, we went over to Rich and Marla's for a yummy Christmas dinner. We're blessed to have family living so close, but we did miss those family members who live far away.
Luke and Ty discovering the gifts left by the sneaky Pajama Elf
Luke in his new jammies
Best buddies
Ty the poser in his new pj's
Jake and his tongue in his cozy jammies
An attempt to get Jake to smile...but this is the face he makes when we say "SMILE!"
Little stair steps
3 of the cutest boys ever!
HUGS!
The Christmas Ball!
Nice Grill.
These plastic teeth were one of the many treasures unwrapped from the ball!
Ty.
The kids loved them, but Jake would gag every time he put them in.
Ty got two of the three whistles that were also in the ball
The aftermath!
Cookies, Milk, and Water for Santa....
and Carrots for the Reindeer!
Sooooo Excited!
"What the....."
Jake and Ty tearing into the presents.
A bunkbed for Ty and Jake from Santa!
Luke's new bike (and helmet) from Santa!
And he's off!
Jake loves to play with the little nativity set
Grandma, Jake, and Grandpa Holbrook
Ty playing with their new Planet Heros toys
Our new favorite family pasttime!
All bundled up!
Daddy and Jake
The night before they left, we got pizza from Hungry Howie's (or Happy Hairy's according to Papa) and some drinks from Sonic and ate at the park. 
The boys were sad to have to say their good bye's before they went to bed that night. Ty was sobbing and said "I don't like it when they only stay for a little while." It was sad, but I think Papa and Grandma Debbie were able to see just how much they are loved.
