Christmas Morning

Before we get to the Christmas Morning pictures, let me say how thankful we were to be able to get together with Vanessa, Dylan, Wyatt and Kyla for a much needed play date and gift exchange for the kids on Tuesday Night. The expressions on their faces when they opened their gifts was so cute, but I forgot to get Sean's work camera until after they had already opened the gifts.

Then on Christmas Eve we received some
GREAT NEWS!
CONGRATULATIONS to my cousin Jan and Ben
who got engaged on Sunday, December 20.
Welcome to the family Ben!

Here is the tree all ready for the kids to wake up. We had kept all the gifts we received from the great-grandparents, grandparents, local friends and British friends in the garage until the kids went to bed and then piled them under the tree. It was so fun to see their faces on Christmas morning. The kids had already gone to bed, but Sean and I made sure to leave out cookies and milk for Santa. The kids really liked that Santa left them a Thank You note for the cookies and milk. We forgot to leave carrots for the reindeer though so we will have to remember that part next year.

Hayley had asked Santa (at the Mall) for a Pink DS and a Build-a-Bear game to play on it. Well, then she saw another Santa at our company Christmas Family Fun Day and told him she wanted Barbies. So those two Santas got together and told the Real Santa (you know who that is) to get her the Pink DS, Build-a-Bear DS game and a Barbie DS game. She was so excited and thought it was sweet that Santa also gave her a Purple carrying case as well. Purple is her favorite color.

Trevor really wanted Star Wars action figures and since Hayley got a DS Trevor received lots of play sets and action figures to keep things fair. Santa even set the play sets and action figures up so they were ready for Trevor in the morning.

Hayley received Barbie clothes, as if she didn't already have enough.

Bakugan Set and Barbie Car, not bad.

Trevor really likes the Miami Dolphins so Sean and I thought it would be a fun to get Trevor a Miami Dolphins outfit for his Build-a-Bear. He was beyond excited when he opened it.

Hayley also got a new outfit for her Build-a-Bear animals.
She received boots and roller skates too.

Dan and Joe sent Trevor some Bakugan and a Ben 10 backpack. Although they did not know it, since they are in England, he had just asked for a new backpack a few weeks ago. Perfect timing.

Dan and Joe sent Hayley a "Make Your Own Lip Gloss" set and this cool pink bag you can color. What a cute idea.

Trevor received Monopoly City from Grammy and Papa Bear. This is a game he has wanted for a long time now so he was very excited when he opened it. Great Job Grammy and Papa Bear. The puff ball you see under the word Monopoly is our dog Boo's tail. We tried to get him in pictures all morning, but he would move at the last minute.


Unfortunately we left Sean's work camera at home when went to Gary and Adrianne's house, but the kids were able to play with cousin Nora the whole day. Something they love to do, but don't often have a chance to do. I really need to get my own camera soon.

On the 26th we had a very overdue visit with Jeremiah, Theresa, Noah, Adam and Mateo Montoya visit. We are so happy that both our schedules worked out so that we could enjoy each others company especially at Christmas Time. Like Theresa said, we need to get together again, but SOONER rather than LATER.

Christmas at the Johnson's

I finally got the Nativity Scene right this time. Last year Sean helped me figure out that Joseph was not the one holding the sheep and this year I did it all by myself. Yeah Me!

Here is our tree.
Hayley was really good about not hanging the ornaments to close together or too close to the floor, but this year she put them so close to the each of the branch that they almost fell off. Maybe someday she will get it and until them we will just rearrange when she goes to bed.

Our tree took a long time to get decorated this year. We bought it on Monday the 30th, Sean hung the lights on Tuesday only to find 2 strands out on Wednesday. He fixed those and then they the kids had Awana on Wednesday and Sean worked late on Thursday. So finally after dinner on Friday we got around to putting on decorations on the tree. We were planning to get it the weekend of Thanksgiving, but we decorated the outside of the house instead. Well that and also went shopping.

Here are some close ups of the ornaments we hung on the tree. As you can see we do like our Disney Christmas Ornaments. My favorite are the Dopey ones and the Mickey Heads. This year we have Mickey Heads with stripes, Mickey Heads with the American flag and just normal ones. Sean enjoys the Star Wars and Nightmare Before Christmas ornaments. Trevor likes anything and Hayley loves her Dora and Sponge Bob ornaments.

Trevor made this Reindeer ornament at the Family Craft day at our old church, now called Pathway. The kids got to make advent wreathes, ornaments, stockings, bracelets, padded hangers, snowman soap and lots more. It was a fun time for the whole family. Thank you Aunt Margo and Steve for inviting us.

Hayley, her Popsicle and the Tree Branches

Last week while Sean, Trevor and Grandpa were putting up the Christmas Lights Hayley was playing spinning around the yard while eating a Popsicle. Well, she spun a little too close to the tree and ended up being tangled in the branches. It was rather funny and being the good brother Trevor ran inside and told me to get the camera. That's my boy! Hayley just kept eating her Popsicle like nothing was wrong. Never a dull moment at the Johnson House. (Thank Grandpa for letting us use the Tall Ladder!)

Gingerbread, Gingerbread

Each year we sit together as a family and make Gingerbread houses. This year Trevor decided he would rather make a Gingerbread Christmas Tree. So here is his finished product (with a little help from Hayley). She had started a Gingerbread house, but the front wall broke in half and we were not able to fix it. So she did the next best thing, she just started eating the house. Then Trevor said she could help decorate his tree. Very nice brother and great teamwork. Next year I think we will all do the Trees as they are so much easier than the houses. I did buy a train to do myself but it is still in the box and might stay that way. At least we had fun while it lasted.