Christmas 2008

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Christmas this year was such a busy and crazy time for our family. We headed to grandma and grandpa Jensen's home in Alamo on Tuesday the 23rd. We had a wonderful time with the family. We stayed up really late on Tuesday playing games...I love playing games, so I had a great time. The kids were really tired, so we finally headed to the hotel. On Wednesday the 24th, we headed to the mountain to take the kids for a ride through the snow on an old car hood! They had a blast and Ty even loved it. It was the funniest thing because he started to fall asleep (you can see it in one of the pictures) and it was all he could do to keep his eyes open. Jared took the older kids on a really crazy and fast ride...grandpa went too slow for the older kids! I think grandpa was nervous the entire time and wanted to make sure his grandkids were safe. We were all worn out by the time we got home and a little hungry too. We started our Christmas Eve program a little later than planned, so we shortened it a little bit. My sister in law (Karen) and I were in charge of the program because of our music abilities. She played the guitar and I led the music. We did a little program that incorporates the scripture story of Jesus' birth along with Christmas songs. Then I read a story, "The White Stocking" and then gave each family a white stocking to put up for the Savior. We each wrote on a piece of paper what gift we wanted to give the Savior for the next year and when Christmas comes next year, we will go over our gift in our families and see how we did. Then to end the program my brother in law found this story, "A Soldiers Silent Night" and played it for us. Let me just say that a lot of us were in tears by the end of the story. I felt so grateful to the soldiers throughout history who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. I thought of all they sacrifice to keep us free. I cannot even imagine being away from my family and especially during the holidays and knowing that I may never see them again. It was a touching story and I think I will make it a tradition to play it each Christmas Eve as a tribute to all the men and women who have fought to keep my country free. On Christmas morning it was so fun to watch the excitement and anticipation in all of the children. It was especially fun for Josh and I this year because Ty understood what was going on and was so excited to see what Santa brought. Josh was downstairs recording so we could get the expression on Ty's face when he saw all the presents under the tree. He was so excited about the little red wagon that Santa brought and his classic car too. In fact, he didn't want to open anymore gifts after he got his classic car. He cried when we made him open up the rest of his gifts. The same thing happened after he opened the truck and trailer that he got from Grandma and Grandpa Jensen. I swear that kid will never have enough trucks, cars, trailers, or anything else with wheels! He LOVES them! As Uncle Seth was getting the classic car out of the box, Ty did this little dance like he had ants in his pants...it was too fun to watch. Tag was alseep for all the festivities, but he woke up towards the end and we let him open his presents. He got a few toys and he has enjoyed having them around. He likes his new toy that spins, lights up, and plays music. He also enjoys the new toys he can chew on! He had fun, but I think he was confused as to why all the kids around were a little "crazy!" Josh was excited about the new shooting head phones I got him. He has been wanting some for awhile, so it was a perfect gift. I was happy because I was getting Lasik for my Christmas this year and he built me shelves in all the closets. We are running out of places to store our food storeage, so I decided we should use all the wasted space at the top of the closets! We all had a great Christmas! I think the kids were a little tired because Christmas day was hard on them. They didn't want to share their new toys and didn't play very well together! The next day we had a good time just chatting, playing games, eating, and watching the kids play! Everyone got ready to go home that day and were on their way home by that evening. Our family wasn't leaving until Saturday evening, so we had a blast staying up and playing Scum with Josh's parents and Ticia and Mike! We stayed up until after a 11:30...if you know the Jensen family at all that is incredibly late! It was a great time and I have learned that they all cheat and to never believe a word they say while playing cards! On Saturday we helped clean up the house, made jerky, and I helped Karla fix her laptop. It was a good day and Ty had a blast with his dad and Grandpa! It was freezing outside, but he didn't care! All he wanted to do was ride in the backhoe, the truck, motorcycle, or 4 wheeler! He loves Grandpa and Grandma's house. He even got to help brand one of Grandpa's calves. It's hard to see the picture because of the smoke from when they brand the calf! We left about 5:00pm and were exhausted when we got home. The kids left with runny green noses and bad coughs, so the week ahead of us was lots of fun. They still have the cough, but the bright green running from their nose is finally gone! I love Christmas, but I am always happy to put away all the decorations and get my life and home back to normal. Ty still talks about going to Christmas parties and Santa Clause bringing toys and I tell him, "When you are 3 Christmas will come again, but we have to wait a whole year!" I don't if he really understands what that means, but he now says, "I be 3 at Christmas." I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I am sorry this post is so late, but it's here now!