The Merriest Christmas of All

My absolute favorite holiday is Christmas!  I love that the world seems to be a brighter place in the weeks leading up to Christmas.  It really feels like the light that the Savior brought into the world is reflected in everything.  People seem to be happier and more willing to serve those around them.  We have really seen this service on our behalf this Christmas season- we have been so blessed with wonderful meals, care for Tori, and countless prayers for our little family, to name a few!
While I have always loved Christmas, that love seems to have grown exponentially since we have added Tori and now Garrett to our family!  It is so fun being able to share in the pure joy that they bring with them!  Jared and I have been planning our Christmas celebrations since before Garrett was born.  Some of our plans had to be set aside, due to Garrett being in the hospital.  I think that is why our best, and most cherished, gift this year was simply being home together!!!

Our Christmas Eve was a little crazy with just getting home from the hospital.  But, once we collected Tori and Prince, we were able to let Tori open her gift from her cousins Parker, Lincoln, and Henry.  We had never heard of Fancy Nancy, but I have a feeling our own little fancy girl is going to love her!!!

Next we moved on to one of our favorite traditions - getting new Christmas pjs!  I sure hope our kids like this tradition as they get older, because Jared and I love it!!!

Garrett must have wanted Christmas to come as soon as possible, he fell asleep super early!

Santa Clause did it again- he sure spoils us every year!

This year was our very first year at home for Christmas.  We were sad not to be able to be with family, but are so grateful that we were able to share our Christmas day via Skype with several of our loved ones.  It was especially fun letting Grandma and Grandpa Allen see Tori's first reaction Christmas morning! (I wish my reaction was better, oh well.)

Santa Clause sure knew what he was doing bringing Tori a slide - it didn't take her long to get over her awe and slide to her hearts content!!!

Prince enjoyed his first Christmas with some awesome new toys!!!

It's always so much fun surprising Jared!

Two of Tori's most favorite things are princesses and waffles.  So what could be better than a princess waffle maker?

Garrett was very calm and collected while checking out his new toy!  I don't think he knew quite what to make of it!!!

He took much more quickly to his musical seahorse!!!

After all of the excitement, Garrett and I enjoyed a long winter's nap together!!!

Tori made this card in nursery - talk about a cute little Rudolph!!!

Merry Christmas everyone, we hope your day was as wonderful as ours and that the joy of celebrating our Savior's birth stays with each of us throughout the coming year!!!