Christmas 2011!

Jackson opening his very FIRST present (we each open one present on Christmas Eve)
Opening...

Opening...

Still Opening...

Ahhh! Just what I wanted! The PAPER! I don't think he even looked at the present (but I didn't really expect him to be super excited about pajamas). He was much more interested in opening presents than we thought he would be, but he really did want to eat all the shiny paper! Crazy baby!

Braden opening his Christmas Eve gift

What do you know! We all got P.J.'s! :)

Jeremy opening his (still wearing his apron from cooking a delicious prime rib for dinner! I'm so blessed to have a husband who is such a good cook!)

Jackson in his new P.J.'s. He was the cutest little candy cane I've ever seen!

The boys together in their "jam-jams" (as Braden calls them).

The stockings have been hung... The kids are in bed... I think it's time for Santa to come!

A plethora of presents!

Braden checking out the gifts (if you're wondering why he's wearing different P.J.'s...let's just say we had a defective nightime diaper. nuff said.)

Jackson checking out his stocking stuffers

Braden peeking into his stocking

Jackson really has a thing for paper products!

Jackson playing with some of his new toys

Ok, time to open the big gifts!

Jackson loved the toy that Braden picked out for him!

He really loved tearing into his presents, and Braden loved helping too! In fact, Braden tried to help everyone open their gifts!

Aunt Sarah opening her gift

Braden's big gift...

He got a star wars imperial at-at walker (it's seriously the size of a large dog!)

Braden helping Jackson open his gift

Jackson playing in his new "toy"

This Christmas was great for so many reasons! It was Jackson's FIRST Christmas, so it was so fun to watch him learn about this fun time, and He was so cute opening his presents! My Sister was able to spend the holidays with us before going back to AZ and it was so nice to have her here and for her to enjoy this time with the kids. We really miss our family in AZ the most this time of year, but we're hoping to be able to make it out there for Christmas some year. Braden really misses his cousins in "zona" and talks about going there all the time.

We're trying to teach Braden about the TRUE meaning of Christmas, so we got an animated telling of the story of Jesus' birth. When it came to the part where Herod orders the babies to be killed, Braden FREAKED OUT! He was hysterical! He was crying and crying and we kept trying to explain that baby Jesus was going to be safe (even though its sad that the other babies got hurt). Finally, when he saw that baby Jesus was ok, he stopped (he also asked where his baby brother was). When we said his prayers before bed, he said "thank you for baby Jesus being safe". He has such a sweet spirit and a tender heart. I have NO idea how we will ever be able to explain the atonement and crucifixion to him. Braden loves the holidays so much that the other day, He asked daddy "is it time for Halloween?". He may be ready to start it all over, but I'm certainly glad for the ten month break!! :)