Sad day...and putting the Christmas stuff up

We were so excited to get our Christmas stuff out and decorate the tree! Come to find out, a water snow globe had broke in our move and then the box sat in our attic all summer long roasting all the water our and making everything moldy. And of course, it was in the box with all our ornaments and nativities from other countries. We had to throw away a chunk of them but it's ok because it's just stuff! We can always get new! We just can't get away from mold!!! Ahhhhh!

This one was the worst--it was molded shut and so nasty! It smelled nasty! We probably spread all sorts of mold spores all over our house! At least we're just renting! :)

Kyden and his awesome smile! Getting ready to put our tree up! We have always gotten a real tree but since we won't be spending Christmas at our house and they are so expensive to just buy and throw it away! So we got a cheap fake one! A tree is a tree! Fake or not!

We haven't ever made gingerbread houses so we thought this is the year to do it. We bought a kit and started on it! Wow, it was hard and it wouldn't stay together! We only had a few set backs but it is standing today!

It was a fun first time experience! Next time we'll do a couple things differently!

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas...but it went by way too fast!! We took down all the Christmas stuff yesterday and I have to say it's always nice to get all the space back, but sad to see it go. We prep the whole month of December for Christmas and then bam it's over in a day! I love the magical feeling that Christmas brings--the lights, the music, the family, the love, the presents, the friends, the joy, and most importantly the reminder of the birth of our Savior. It is so fun to have children to share this season with. They bring such joy! They show me what true happiness is and it's so good to have a reminder around all the time. Love them! Being weeks away from delivering another child, I thought a lot about Mary this Christmas. I'm uncomfortable riding in a car for very long--but to think about riding a donkey about kills me. Mary is amazing and I'm grateful for all that she went through to bring the amazing child Jesus Christ into this world so that he could share his life with us!

We spent Christmas everywhere! It's nice to have family so close to share this time with. We went to the movie Tangled Christmas Eve with Peterson's. It was a very cute show and the boys loved it. Then we hit the Searle's house for dinner--fondue. We did a little gift opening...
The gifts the boys got from G&G Searle.
So, I had Bec's name for Christmas this year and we have this running joke about rompers! I was super excited when I found this Miley Cyrus ugly romper that Bec's wearing below at Walmart for $1! Most certainly attractive!!
The boys new jammies! Aren't they handsome!
Everyone with there new pj's (except me--my new ones don't fit because I didn't want to get big pjs since I'm due in a month. I wanted to get something new for after baby is born. I'm getting sick of all my maternity clothes--if you've ever been prego you know how it goes!)
Oh man, this pictures doesn't do justice to how bad this little boy looked! He turned his donut into a pancake and smashed it all over his head and brand new pj's. What a goof! And what a mess to clean up! After exchanging gifts Christmas eve, the Searle's always have hot chocolate and donuts as we sit around angel candles and talk about what we are grateful for or what we have learned in the last year. I love this and it always brings the spirit of Christmas.
Christmas morning before the boys touched a thing.
Call us weird or crazy, but we woke the boys up around 6:15 Christmas morning! We should have slept in as long as they would have, but we wanted to make it to breakfast with the Searle's and then spend some of Christmas morning with the Peterson's so we had to begin our morning early! CRAZY!! I love the bed head and dazed looks on the faces of our boys!
Opening Santa presents! Pretty much all Braden wanted for Christmas were hot wheels and it looks like Santa got the memo!

This little guy always goes straight for the sugar! Who cares about the presents when you have candy! Really!
It's a good thing Santa brought 2 bam bams (a.k.a. drums)--a big and a small--because the little one broke within 30 minutes of opening! And Kyden was not a happy boy! But it sure was a funny sight to see!

Kydens favorite toy--his big bam bam! It went everywhere with us!
Helping Grandpa open presents.
Grandpa and Grandma got a smokin' hot deal on this awesome little remote control/driveable car to play with at there house. The boys think it's pretty cool!


Braden loves to learn so when G-ma P found this Vreader, she had to get it for him. It has been one of his favorites!
Thanks to everyone for making this Christmas wonderful! We look forward to many more to come! (And Kyden keeps asking for more presents! He loved it this year!)

Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas full of family, friends, food, fun, lights, and the true Spirit of Christmas. We stayed busy and were hardly ever home, but we loved every minute. We are so blessed to live by family and be able to spend so much time with them. Family is what life is all about. These pictures are completely out of order and it really bothers me but I'm too lazy to fix them so here you go.

Boys in front of our shabby looking tree wearing there Christmas jammies. The lights were Kyden's favorite! Especially plugging them in. "No, no" is what Kyd's would tell us as he was plugging them in.

This picture turned when I downloaded it and I have no idea why.
They got this train from Santa and love it!
Proud doctor!
Our NEW BIKES! What an awesome surprise! We love them! Thanks!
Ky with his (and Braden's) tool belt. He thought he was so cool--always does though.
Mischievous kid anyway! Christmas night we were all eating dinner and Kyden disappeared and this is where we found him chewing gum with the rest of the pack spread out around him. It was just too hard for him to keep his hands off of things that weren't his.
Boys new basketball hoop. They love it!
Christmas morning playing games. Braden loves games!
New pj's--Christmas Eve.
Cute sheppard


Shoes, shoes, shoes. Kyden loves shoes--anyone's shoes!
More shoes--Grandma's boots this time.
Handsome boys. It is so fun to see these little boys grow and learn everyday. They are getting so big and I feel so blessed to be there mom. Yes, sometimes they make me want to rip my hair out, but they make me smile and teach me so much. They are starting to really play together and I love it. They both have such an imagination that comes alive as they both play and make forts. I could kiss there chubby cheeks all day if they'd let me. Love you boys!
Kyden's favorite toys are not really toys. Actually dangerous tools--like hammers, screwdrivers, tape measures. He even got toy tools for Christmas but sometimes that doesn't make the cut with him. He needs the real thing. Bad mom for letting him play with them? We are trying really hard to keep them out of his reach but sometimes we slip and leave them out.
Braden got this cool coloring book from his Grandma and liked it so much, he didn't want to go to sleep so he fell asleep coloring in it one night.
Can you tell how much Braden liked Santa? Yep death grip around Grandpa's neck. He did finally give santa a high five, but that was it.
Kyden was a little more brave. Wouldn't sit on his lap but got close enough to touch Santa.

Christmas Fun

We had a great Christmas! This is Christmas Eve waiting for Uncle Jesse to call from his mission in Korea. Braden loving on his brother a little too much and cute cousin Brielle wanting to join in on the fun!

Talking to Uncle Jesse! Braden loves his uncle Jesse and can't wait until he will be home (in 1 1/2 years!!)
After talking to Jesse, we went to my grandparents house for soup, singing, visiting, laughing, the Christmas story, games, and fun. Kyden was big Baby Jesus (it's a good thing they don't come out that big!!) and Braden wouldn't cooperate (he's not even in the picture)!
Cute picture huh! Notice the goofy brother in the back! When I was taking the pictures, I had no idea he was in them until after! Funny though!

It is a rare occasion when we get a picture of just the two of us so I thought I would post it for the fun of it! Love you honey!
Picture with my Great Grandpa Christensen. He is 96 or so--I can't remember now, but he just keeps on a ticking! He is such a sweetheart!
After dinner, we went to my parents house to open the traditional pj's present from my parents! Who knows how long that tradition will continue with the added family members! We will start the tradition with our kids because I love it so much. We also opened our gifts from our siblings--we draw names and always open those presents on Christmas Eve. We also sit around an angel candle (sounds weird but it's neat), drink hot chocolate, eat donuts, and talk about what we are thankful for. It always brings the spirit of Christmas more to light.
Christmas morning began with Braden saying he was too tired to get out of bed. We finally got him up though and the fun began. We are staying with Jason's parents right now and so is Jason's brother, his wife, and baby (for 2 weeks before they move to Texas) so it was one big happy Christmas. Braden got the kitchen he has been asking for with some dishes (Santa's workshop slaved over that white trash cardboard kitchen that luckily he loves). And no he is not turning into a girl because he likes to cook! It's just a phase and I think it is so cute!

Kyden went straight for the food! He knows exactly what those are! Kyden wasn't interested in helping unwrap his presents--just in putting anything and everything in his mouth (he is our little vacuum) and playing with Braden's toys!

Kyden stole Brielle's bottle--he doesn't even know what a bottle is but he sure did want it!
The grandchildren lined up with there new pillows and matching blankets.
Kyden also just liked playing with the empty boxes. He climbed right on top of this one.

After we opened presents at home, we went to my parents house where we ate an awesome breakfast cooked by my Dad (as tradition is) full of hashbrowns, eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice. It was yummy! But Braden never made it to the breakfast table. He knew there was a present for him under the Christmas tree from last night (he doesn't forget anything!!) so that's right where he went first. He got a tool set he wanted also. He always gets grandpa's out of the tool drawer to use and now he won't have to.

Kyden with his presents!
Braden with his presents from Santa and G&G Peterson.
We went to a movie Christmas afternoon because that is the Peterson tradition to go to a movie Christmas Eve--it just worked better this year to do it on Christmas. The boys were great and we had fun. Thank you everyone for making our Christmas so wonderful! I can't believe it is over already! It always comes and goes so quickly. I stress about gifts for months and then it is over in a day, but good memories are created! Merry Christmas and hope you all have a Happy New Year!