Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was totally crazy and not at all how I had planned.  It started at 6:30- this was the first year the boys got us up instead of me waking them up.  I like my kids to open a gift at a time to see what else their brothers got.  It ended up being the little boys kept opening everyone elses presents when I was busy watching someone else open a present.  We got through half our Christmas in like 5 minutes.  It was totally out of control.  After the little boys finally had a few presents opened they quit doing that.  It's hard for a 6 year old to have his presents opened by his little brother- lets hope next year will be better! 

 I can't begin to tell you how fun this little train set is for Stockton.  Nothing has held his attention for so long since he found star wars.

 Brett was good at opening the other kids presents but too forever to do his own go figure.

 He was posing for me.  My only kid that will do that.

 Everything went so fast that I never got a video of Tyson opening a present- he was my old kid I missed and it was totally on accident.  Total mom FAIL!

Merry Christmas from the Palmer boys! Christmas is so much better with kids!

Santa Santa HO HO HO

Both of my boys had class programs this year.  Stockton was really funny at Tyson's. It was just his class so we were in a smaller room with not too many parents.  After they sang rudolph the red nosed reindeer and everyone clapped the room was quiet so Stockton felt he needed to continue to sing the song so he started to belt it out.  Everyone started laughing and he thought it was great. Then he would get up and dance when Ty and the class were dancing.  I was glad when they invited siblings to sing jingle bells with the group because Stockton was chopping at the bit to go up.

Blakes program was with both afternoon kindergarden classes so there were a lot more parents there.  I ended up walking around the hall with Stockton and Brett for most of it but the parts I did catch were totally adorable.

We had our annual Palmer family christmas party at  my house this year.

I adore this picture of Sannette.  She was so happy to see Santa!

Brett wasn't as big as a fan.  But Stockton was.  He ran up and hugged Santa.

The older boys were happy to get legos.

All 21 Palmer grandkids.  With my nephew going on a mission next year and a few others going off to missions and college in the next few years I'm not sure how many more of these sorts of moments we are going to have! There is always that one kid that doesn't want to be in the picture and this time (and most times) it was Stockton.

What a fun tradition- my kids loved how Santa was in OUR house!

Today was the day-

I'll post more later but I wanted to write down a few things while they were fresh in my mind.  My little Tyson was baptized today.  It was seriously one of the best days ever as a mom.  My church is really important to me and to have my kids choose to be apart of it is a emotional experience.  Tyson really has a good heart and he wants nothing more then to make people happy.  I just want my kids to choose good things in this life.  I want them to try hard to help people and follow Jesus's example of loving others.  I hope he always remembers how he felt today and stays close to the church.  I know he will be a better man because of it.  I worry all the time about my kids having the wrong kind of friends or doing the wrong sorts of things and today just made me feel like Ty is setting a great example to his brothers.  I love you Tyson!  I hope you always make good choices!

My baby isn't so baby anymore

Brett is finally talking a little bit!  He wakes up saying "mommy! Mommy!" everyday and I love it. He is getting a little bit more independent and silly.    

This chair is is new fav.  He climbs in and out of it all the time.  

 While I cook Brett pulls all my pans out and "cooks" with me.  He gets pretzels and stirs them around.

 I let Brett paint with the other boys one day. He ended up eating a little and painting his face in the process.  He is also really into play doh and even kind of says play doh when he wants it.  He sort of colors but mostly eats the crayon.

 He is starting to do the "cheese"  face.  Stinking cute.

What is he doing in that chair?  He was just lounging around one day.  He is starting to play with the other kids toys a lot.  He likes to be where they are which is nice because he isnt' around my feet all day.  He loves books!  We read a lot- he loves books. He was all my boy now he really loves being with Dad.  It actually makes me a little sad but dad has more time when he is home to pay one on one attention with him I guess.  When I think about how little he was at this time last year it makes me really sad that he is growing up so dang fast.  Sometimes when he falls asleep in his high chair at lunch I sit and rock him in the rocking chair for a few minutes so I can cuddle with him.  Does anyone know how to slow down time a little bit?

Gotta be ready by Christmas Eve-

I have to admit- I really love this picture.

I felt so rushed with Christmas this year even though I did most of it way beforehand.  Now it's over I'm super sad to have it over.  I really love christmas trees and lights and parties.  December is such a fun month with so many fun things to do.  Especially with kids its just too fun.  More on parties and stuff we did in future posts- 

Before you feel too bad for poor Bryan our TV burned out the weekend before christmas.  He has been praying for YEARS for this to happen and it finally did.  He says he loves it more then his kids even though I know better.  It is nice that I didn't have the stress of getting him a few more things in time for christmas.  My living room finally doesn't look like the DI.  It's kind of nice.  =) 

 I caught this picture of Bryan- notice something weird about this picture?  I guess Bryan didn't get the it's not summer memo with the shorts.

We went down to my parents on December 23rd.  They had some awesome packing snow so we tried it out!

 This is the coolest snowman I ever helped build.

The snow there was the best packing snow I've ever seen.  It's always so cold here it's usually not very good to play in.  We (but mostly my brother) built a sledding hill in my parents back yard.  I've never seen Ty so excited to sled.

Nate even made a little hill over the fence and if my dad pushed  them off the hill hard enough they could get enough speed to go over the fence.  

My sister in law is due any day with my nephew and I'm so excited!  He is going to be born right around Tyson's birthday.  Stockton went down the hill but I only got a video of that.  

Christmas Eve- 

Because it was going to be a few days until we saw my parents again we did gifts with them Christmas eve.  After getting in the hot tub of course!  They kept hopping out and laying down in the snow and getting back in.  They even went down the snow slide they made in the swimming suits.  

 Of course they got their christmas eve PJ's.  Stockton and Brett feel apart for awhile that  night but finally calmed down.  We drove home after that.  When we got home Tyson started running around the house saying he was trying to make himself tired.  The older boys sleep in Stockton's room for fun.  They were so excited they kept fighting and I kept having to get mad at them.  Not how I picture Christmas eve.