Merry Christmas!!

We had a low key Christmas this year, which is just the way we like it!

We kicked off the festivities on Christmas Eve by skyping with my family to open our gifts from them. It was our first experience with Skype, and it was really fun to see some family for Christmas. The kids spent the rest of the evening playing with their gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Johansen.







Evan built a glow stick battle helmet with his.


For dinner, we ordered pizza and watched the first Lord of the Rings. (For some reason, Ben is always in the mood to watch that during the holidays.)

At bed time, we opened the traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.





I decided to make jammie pants for the boys this year and I think I'll do it every year from now on. They are SO easy!







Here we all are in our new PJs


Then, it was off to bed so that Santa could come! When I got up at 3am to feed Ellie, Evan was awake and in the morning, he told me he didn't get very much sleep. Oh the excitement of Christmas Eve! :)

We ventured out to the living room at 7:30 to see what Santa had brought.



The boys had fun excitedly unwrapping each gift.









Santa brought Asher a mini pool table, a new winter coat, a Bumblebee (transformer) mask, and a small electronic drum set. Evan was given a transformer battle station, an Optimus Prime (transformer) mask, and the game Twister. They both got a light saber and a transformer in their stocking, too.

Then it was time to open the presents from Mom and Dad. At our house, Mom and Dad give the big exciting present and Santa fills in the rest. :)

Evan's gift was a Ripstick Casterboard which he's been dying to own.


Asher's gift was a big jet. I was a little worried because he wanted a remote control jet, but he was absolutely delighted with the one he got. *whew!*


The boys had opened most of their presents by the time Ellie woke up. She couldn't quite figure out what all the excitement was about. I love this series of pictures as Ben helps her open her presents because her eyes just get bigger and bigger.







Santa gave Ellie an umbrella stroller and a few baby toys. From Mom and Dad, she got a taggie beanbag and some cloth blocks that I made.



She also got some baby food and new binkeys in her stocking.

{Clothing change courtesy of a big blowout.}

After that, Ben and I exchanged gifts. He got me a bunch of fun things... scarves, chocolates, a digital picture frame and a gift certificate to go shopping for clothes... kid free!



Ben got a Kindle. He said we needed to take this picture so that in ten years we can laugh about the technology.


Kitty enjoyed her present, too. It's a laser that moves around by itself so she can chase it.


After we finished up with presents from extended family, the traditional cinnamon roll breakfast, talking to Grandpa and Grandma Jensen and playing with our new things, it was time to get ready for church.

I made a Christmas dress for Ellie and matching bow ties for the boys.


Evan was horrified that I would make him wear a bow. I explained that it's what men wear when they dress really fancy and that spies often wear them, too. After that, he was ok with it and struck his best "cool spy" pose. (He also did his own hair... this is how spies wear their hair, according to him.)


Asher struck his best spy pose, too.


Miss Ellie settled for just looking adorable.


After church, we got to skype with my brother who is on his mission in Texas. It was really fun to be able to see him and talk to him for a bit! Ben also got to join in on a skype conversation with his brother who is on a mission in Thailand.

For dinner, we got together with some friends and had a great time eating yummy food, chatting and playing games. It is nice to have friends to hang out with during the holidays while we're away from family. (Didn't think to take my camera... bummer!)



What a great day! This has definitely been one of our best Christmas yet. We've tried hard to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to really be greatful for the birth of our Savior as we celebrate.

We hope you all had a joyful holiday as well. :)

Merry Christmas!