Christmas morning has finally arrived!

Finally, the big day arrived and everyone, except Hazel who was still sleeping, was ready to get downstairs and begin the fun. Here's a video of Morgan and Pepper coming downstairs:

Ready, Set, Unwrap!

Such a big boy!
They loved the bikes from Grandma and Papa Adams, thank you, thank you!

My little lady.

Hazel finally joined us a little after 8am. After about one present, she just wanted to focus on her new bracelets and my pop tart.

She did manage to give a little love to her new stuffed animals and babies.

This one just made me laugh.

Lots of smiles.

This one just melts my heart!

So here's a story of my little Christmas miracle. A former co-worker of Cody's from his M.Booth/NYC days, Andrew, is friends with me on Instagram. Months ago he posted a picture of an art project he had just put together. It was a shadowbox filled with pencils engraved with all the different extra-curricular activities the character Max Fischer starts at his school in the movie Rushmore. Rushmore is one of Cody's favorite movies by his favorite director, Wes Anderson. When I saw it I knew it was the PERFECT gift for Cody. I wrote Andrew and he sent me a link to the Etsy shop where he bought the pencils. Unfortunately, he bought them years ago and they no longer had them in their shop. I emailed them, and every other shop/website that engraved pencils to no avail. Everyone told me that it was too much work, or too expensive or they couldn't do it at this time. After a few months of no luck, I was getting very frustrated. I am usually horrible at the gift giving thing, especially when it comes to Cody, and I couldn't believe that now that I had this amazing gift that I couldn't make happen. As it was getting closer and closer to Christmas and all I had was a couple t-shirts for Cody, I was starting to panic. I commented on another Instagram pic that Andrew had posted and as an aside mentioned my bad luck in trying to get the Max Fischer pencils. A few days later I got an unexpected FedEx package in the mail from NYC. Andrew had mailed me his shadowbox and told me to give them to Cody for Christmas. I cried! I was floored by his generosity. I know it is not a huge deal in the grand scheme of life and may seem trivial to some, but to me it was a huge stress relief and just an enormous act of kindness. I quickly wrote Andrew a long message of gratitude. I love it when life and people surprise you with how nice they can be.
Here's a video of Cody opening his big surprise gift:

Success!

Stocking time.

Someone found the few cookie crumbs that Santa left behind and helped herself.

Also, on Instagram a month or so ago, another old friend of mine, Sarah, posted a picture of a baby doll that she had just made. I loved it and told her how much I would love some dolls like that for my girls. Sarah, being the amazingly talented crafter and friend that she is, asked for the particulars and had them made and sent in a few days. She wouldn't let me pay her for them, so once again I had to satisfy myself with lots of messages of thanks

Pepper showing off her mini-Pepper. She later named it Rose, since the book she got for Christmas is about a little girl who got a new doll and named her Rose.

After we finished all the presents, we headed over to our friends' the Strombergs for a Christmas brunch feast. I got to work making crepes, that one day my kids will love I swear, and Mindy was busy making lots of other yummy dishes. Morgan and Pepper were very excited to go to their friends' house in their pajamas complete with their new slippers. Cody and I carried them to and from the car and house just so they didn't need to change at all. Good food and great company, a perfect Christmas day.

Brigham, Morgan and Pepper relaxing while watching the Lorax.

Mindy and I taking it easy for a moment.

Back at home for nap/quiet time and to break in all the new toys.

Morgan enjoying his new Scooby-doo blanket from Gramma Goodier.

The day after Christmas we had a big snow storm. Cody went into work that morning but came home early, which was pretty nice, despite the snowy weather. On Thursday the sun came out and we still did not have any plans so we headed over to Smucker's to have lunch with Cody. It was so nice to get to spend some extra time with him and see all the other families who also came to have lunch with their hardworking parents.

These two requested a picture with the Dough Boy. Too funny!

Somehow this picture moved itself to the end of the post. Oh well, I'll leave you with these two cute people. Hazel picked this baby doll out at Wal-mart a few weeks ago. She held on to it all through the store and all the way home. We hid it away after she went to bed that night and she didn't seem to notice, guess the memory of a 1 year old is not that long. She was super excited to see it again though on Christmas morning and has been happily holding on to it ever since. Hazel is such a snuggle bug; I love it!
So, our day was quiet, peaceful, full of family fun and pretty perfect. We hope your holidays were equally happy and peaceful and continue to stay that way.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve Festivities

Christmas Eve was a fun day filled with friends and family. We spent the morning getting ready for the day and organizing the house to prepare ourselves for Christmas. At around noon our friends Brent, Jen and Ava came to play and have lunch.

Ava, Pepper and Morgan obviously happy that lunch is starting. Well, at least Pepper is or maybe the other two are just busy eating already.

Catching Hazel in the act. This little lady definitely liked to snag the few ornaments we placed near the bottom of the tree.

Nothing says Christmas like Batman. Morgan insisted on having this on while the Lloyds were here.

Gift exchange for the kids.

Morgan was so happy with his new car that he told me he had to take some photos of it.

I was impressed by his photography skills.

After nap time, our family headed over to the Smith's house to meet up with them and head into Akron. We were going to go to a big Catholic church downtown to see a live children's nativity. We did not realize that it would be SO packed and that we were going to a full mass. We had to split into two groups. Somehow, Lesli and Adam ended up with Hazel and their two youngest. We had their oldest and Morgan and Pepper. Unfortunately, we had the diaper bag with us. Luckily, Hazel is such a chill baby that she had a great time with them despite no snacks or toys. We were starting to lose Morgan and Pepper's attention when the the nativity started. They loved it. The kids were so cute, especially the little sheep that kept trying to crawl out early and was drug offstage by his leg and the Mary who disappeared too soon. When they started the sacrament portion we finally managed to sneak out. Unfortunately, we did not sneak out early enough because Hazel managed to leak out of her diaper all over Adam's shirt and of course we had no change of baby clothes with us.

I snuck a photo of the church and nativity. So beautiful. It was fun taking the kids to a church that was so ornate. They loved looking at all the statues and stained glass windows.

After mass, we headed back to the Smith's for dinner and a little Christmas Eve gathering. Lesli was able to find some baby clothes in the basement so Hazel didn't have to be naked. Dinner was delicious and the kids had a great time running around together.

Getting ready for the Christmas story from Luke.

Morgan, Lesli and Addison

Everyone sang some songs, mainly for my benefit and Morgan snapped this picture. I'm glad to have some documentation that I was around but ugh, one day I will have one chin again!

When we got home it was already bed time but we had to quickly spread some reindeer food that Morgan and Pepper had both gotten from school.

This is serious business.

Hazel just enjoying the show.

Next, it was time to open the traditional Christmas Eve presents of pajamas and books before getting into the bath and bed.

Yay for presents.

Happy kids.

I thought Hazel's dress made it seem like she was having a "Little House on the Prairie" Christmas.

The kids did a great job taking a quick bath and getting into bed. Then Cody and I started the busy elves process. We had done a pretty good job of staying on top of the wrapping and whatnot so we didn't have much to do. Thank goodness.

The tree in all its glory.

Cody enjoying a quiet moment.
I love this man and I love this tree and I love our family.
Lots of love!

Cody's big Christmas Eve project.

Pepper's bike was a display so it saved Cody the task of putting two bikes together.

Everyone was tucked in, the presents were all set up and cookies set out...and eaten. We were all ready for a good nights rest before the big day. It started out really well until Morgan came in at 2am and then again at 3 and 3:30, 4, 4:45, 5...That boy came in our room 7 times before I finally sent Cody back to his room with him in the hopes that he would leave me alone and not wake up his sisters. Pepper woke up around 7:15 so our Christmas finally begun then. Good thing it was a special day and Morgan is so cute when he is that excited! But I may have dreamt about spanking him, just maybe:)

Christmas Sunday from Gramma Goodier

On Saturday night after we went to see the Christmas lights, we came home and opened up the kids new Sunday Christmas clothes from my mom.

The kids were all pretty excited to finally open a present.

The girls dresses are absolutely beautiful! I don't know if we got any pictures that truly do them justice but I would love an adult size version of them. Morgan looks mighty handsome too.

Sunday morning was a bit hectic because I had to go in early to rehearse with the ward choir. Not only was I singing with them but I also had a solo at the very beginning. I was very excited and nervous. I have always loved to sing but never felt like I was good enough or had enough confidence in myself. In the past few years I have decided that my love for singing should outweigh my doubts and fears. I may not be the best singer in the world but I do have enough talent that I feel ok about sharing my love of music with others. Anywhoo, I had to go in early and Cody was in charge of getting the kids all dolled up in their new special outfits. I did Pepper's hair before I left and Cody took care of the rest. He did a great job and I really appreciate how supportive he always is when I want to do these kinds of things.

Cody even took pictures like I asked him too.
Look how pretty my kids are!

Cody snuck a picture of his ladies before sacrament meeting started.
Even with crazy hair Hazel is one cute baby!

During my solo I looked over at Morgan and he was smiling and gave me a big thumbs up. I choked up a bit by how proud he was of me and the love I felt for my family and the birth of our Saviour. Besides that moment of emotion the rest of my solo seemed to go really well and the choir did a great job with our program. It was a lot of fun.
Here's a little photo shoot of our festive family.

Everyone fights over playing with Hazel on Sunday because she is such a cuddly smiley baby.
I would be happier about this if it wasn't a nasty flu season.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing at home together. I had to go back to church that night to help with the food for the ward Christmas devotional. I was going to be gone from 6 till about 10 so Cody was going to put all the kids to bed. Up till now Hazel was still nursing before bed at night and in the morning when she wakes up. We decided this might be a good time to try out weaning her. Cody was more confident in this than me so it was good that he started it. Hazel went to bed just fine and slept through the night as usual. I did nurse her in the morning, and have continued to do so, but we have cut out the night feeding and just read her books now. I have never had to wean a child before so this is new territory for me. I do think it is the right time but it is hard to let go of that special time between Hazel and me.

My mom also sent a recordable book about Charlie Brown's Christmas. In the past she has done 2 other books for Christmas that the kids just LOVE! I think it is such a great tradition and was excited to add another book to the holiday library.

The kids are enjoying the new book despite Pepper's awesome expression.

Hazel does this all the time to everyone and I must admit I greatly enjoy it every time.

Hazel is also starting to exert her will a bit more around here. Morgan usually giggles so much when she tries to tackle him that she wins the battle.

Thanks, Gramma Goodier for all of the great Christmas memories and presents. If we can't have you here with us, your voice helps bridge the space between us. Now, we are ready for Christmas Eve and Christmas to finally arrive!