Christmas {2010}

We love Christmas! This year was the best yet! Since Kenton's parent's are on a mission in the Czech Republic, we spent Christmas with my family. It was a great year to be with my family. Last Christmas, my dad was really sick and we were quite sure it would be his last Christmas. Then, in January, we received an amazing miracle when my dad was given a liver transplant. It has been a great holiday celebration as we realize how grateful we are to be together as a family.

This year was also so much fun because it was the first time Kenton and I were able to meet Santa. He sure is a nice guy- he brought Afton lots of fun things. . . she loved them all!

The following represent highlights of the Christmas Eve/Christmas Day festivities. . .

Since all five of the married kids in my family married local people, we have a tradition of getting together with all of the in-laws families for a bowling/eating party.



Little Brynn and her parents came to spend the holidays with us. Brynn is so small and just so cuddly. We all fought over who got to hold her.


We had a little talent show on Christmas Eve night. Allie, McKell, and Afton did Jingle Bells. Afton's job was to ring the bell- she was quite good actually.


My Grandparents came to celebrate with us. I love these people.


My mom got these huge stockings for each family to set out for Santa Clause. He filled them with fun goodies like White Cheddar popcorn, Nerf guns, and PJs.
Before we set ours out, we had to get a picture of Afton in it- she seemed kind of annoyed but the picture turned out cute!


Brynn wore the cutest little "my first Christmas" PJs. We tried to find some for Afton seeing as how it is her first Christmas too but "My First Christmas" PJs don't come in 12-18 months. We had to settle for just traditional Christmas PJs.


This is what Kenton wrote about Afton's rough Christmas Eve night. . .
We think that Afton knew that is was Christmas the next morning. She usually sleeps through the night and we can't remember the last time she didn't. Christmas Eve however, she was up literally all night. Brittney was up with her until 4 and then I took her until 7:30. . . we have never been so tired on Christmas. Brittney's Grandma said, welcome to the real Christmas Eve. Even though it was kind of frustrating, it is hard to get mad at Afton when she is so excited and so cute at 4:00 in the morning for Santa Clause and for presents. Around 4:30 I was just laying on the couch with her on my chest and we were both resting. Brittney's dad kept going back and forth past the couch to arrange Christmas gifts. Afton kept her head propped up the whole time looking back and forth just watching him pass. She had a big smile on her face. . . I don't know how she could be so happy at 4:00 in the morning without any sleep but it made staying up with her a little more enjoyable.
The picture shows how tired they both were Christmas morning.


Santa Clause brought Afton some really fun things but her favorite was the "Who Loves Afton" book. It is a book with pictures of everyone that loves Afton. Including her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, cousins, and Jesus. She played with it for about 20 minutes before she even looked at any of her other gifts.


These glasses came with the Nerf guns. Afton's cousin Allie thought the glasses were pretty cool. You have to admit that she looks pretty cute.


These are the three "Santa Girls". They were so much fun to have and really helped with the Christmas spirit.


There was an epic Nerf battle. These were the team shots before the battle. I believe Kenton's team won- my hero!



Afton's Granparents are in the Czech Republic on a mission but they were still able to give her a gift. They got her this shopping cart to help her learn to walk- she LOVES it and has even taken about five steps all on her own! With the shopping cart, she can walk all around the house.


We hope you all had a Merry Christmas!