Presents! Presents! Presents!

This year I vowed to not overdo it on Christmas this year. I did pretty good at only getting the girls 3 small presents each and a couple of bigger gifts for them together. Nate however, I had a hard time controlling myself on. He just works so hard for us, and I kept finding things he would just LOVE at amazing deals. I was mean and wouldn't let him spend as much on me, but that's okay cuz I already have more than I could have ever hoped for.

I've been waiting for months and months to give the girls their BIG present. Yeah, it wasn't cheap, but totally worth every penny. I planned it all out, making it really just too big for a 4 year old, and barely okay for a 7 year old. I made coupons and printed them as 4x6 pictures. Then I wrapped them up. I wrapped that box in a bigger box, and that box in a bigger box. You get the idea. I couldn't wait anymore, and I was so afraid I'd blow it so the girls had to open it right away. WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND! Nate was recording the whole thing, so we really don't have any pictures. I'm afraid I'm kind of screaming and more than a little excited to tell the kids. In truth, they were probably wondering what was wrong with their mom. They are soooooo happy! We're counting down the days-only 24!!!!
Amy gave Allie some jewelry which she totally loved. What a little princess!

I've been wanting a sewing machine forever, and Nate surprised me with one. Now I've just got to figure out what I'm doing...

I took Nate shopping with me on Black Friday-bad idea. He found lots of things he wanted. One of which was Resorts for the Wii. After the fact, we were looking through our purchases and decided we'd bought too much for him. The game would have to go. We stopped by Freddy's, and I went in to return it while he watched the girls. I knew how much he wanted it, and I couldn't bring myself to return it. I simply took back a pair of tights that the girls didn't need. He was very surprised and very happy on Christmas morning to find Resorts inside a present. Dad surprised Mom with beautiful pearl jewelry.

Allie got Mandy pajamas and a robe, and we got Kayla a new robe. Don't they look cute together?

Amy and Maddox-the newest addition to the family.

Mom surprised Dad big time with a Wii. He was really wanting one at Thanksgiving-after it was already bought. I had to tell him, "Sorry. She's done shopping for you. So forget about it." Hee Hee

Cory found an awesome deal on these Camp Chef double burner stoves. Dad ran over and got me one to give to Nate. Now we've got something to camp with or we can use it when the power goes out.

I made the girls these quiet books for church. One is full of primary songs and the other is the ABC of the Church. It teaches lots of the basic principles of the gospel, has Mommy and Daddy's testimonies, and it also covers some of the things we talk about but probably don't really explain like Zion.

I think Little Tyler was at least as excited about giving Allie these Littlest Pet Shop as she was in receiving them.

Somehow I didn't get a picture of the gorgeous blanket Angie made me. I know Mom took one with her camera so I'll have to get it to post. We immediately brought it home and put it on our bed. I absolutely love it!

Finally, I made the kids a travel kit for our loooong drive ahead and for the many many drives between Stansbury Park and Pocatello. I got a car organizer then bought those $1 containers of crackers at the check stand. Emptied the crackers and washed the containers. I decoupaged stickers onto each container to tell what goes inside-pencils, crayons, little princesses, snacks for Allie, snacks for Kayla, and a misc one for whatever else they want to take. The kit also has a few color wonder books that I found lost in a box in the basement, one new book-"If You Give a Cat A Cupcake" (We love those books!), some stickers I got forever ago, and a new magnet princess set that Allie's been eyeing forever. Where the girls both get so carsick, traveling is really hard. I hope these things will keep things changing enough to pass the time but not make them sick. There are only so many DVD's you can watch. Also, we'll be taking books on CD or the ipod to listen to. We have a couple that came with Christmas books, and Kayla really likes those.

I also got Nate a projector that he was totally thrilled with, but the quality turned out to be crappy and not worth keeping. I know he told everybody about it and was looking forward to playing the wii on a huge screen or watching movies in the backyard this summer. So sorry!