This Christmas season has been very different than any in our past. Due to me having back surgery in November, I was advised to not travel during the holiday's. At first I was devestated because I knew how much my kids looked forward to seeing their family in Utah, but quickly realized that I needed to have a good attitude if I wanted my kids to have a good attitude about staying home. We quickly made plans for a Christmas Eve candle light dinner, and grandparents were so wonderful to come and spend time with us in Nevada rather than us coming to see them.
We made gingerbread houses one morning which turned out wonderfully. It was fun to see each of my girls creations and personalities (and ages) show in their own gingerbread house.
My parents came a few days before Christmas which was wonderful. We were able to see a movie, played at Chuck e Cheese, and just enjoyed being together. They were a big help considering I wasn't feeling the greatest. Thanks mom and dad for all your help!
Love the morning hair and PJ's. :)
The finished product's were awesome!
Christmas Eve was the hardest for me because I knew we were missing out on our favorite party's of the year at Grammie and Gramps house. Thank heavens for Skype, because we were able to join in on the fun, and even see Santa through the internet. Instead of sitting on his lap we were able to just talk to him and put in our last requests before he headed out that night. Wheew!
I actually got teary eyed when we first turned on the computer on Christmas Eve. Abbie saw me trying to hide the tears and quickly mouthed the words to me "it's really ok mom" with a smile. She knew my heart was breaking because I was the reason we had to stay home. I will never forget her kind words and expression that helped me out so much.
And Santa didn't forget to send their Christmas Eve present that they usually get for sitting on his lap. They were thrilled.
Love the Christmas Eve PJ's!
Abbie was fun this year because she was asking for all toys that we have never had around the house with all girls. She got a nerf gun, remote control car, and legos to name a few things. She was thrilled.
Christmas morning was nice other than the girls woke up at 4:00am with no intention of going back to sleep. Micah and I finally caved and went downstairs when we realized they were not going to let down until we opened everything. Next year we are setting a time limit for getting up.
Abbie and Avery received much needed new bikes from Santa. With the weather here in Henderson it's nice to be able to use them. They have been out there nearly every day since Christmas riding around.
All Avery wanted this year was Squinkies and fashionable clothes. She got her wish.
Aliza on the other hand is at the age that she was just so excited and thrilled with everything. On Christmas morning she kept clapping her hands together like she just couldn't contain her excitement. It was pretty cute.
Thanks Heavens church was on Christmas this year because it gave us somewhere to go to break up the day. Our Sacrament Meeting program was absolutely beautiful which added so much to Christmas day. My parents stuck around until we headed off to church, and we thoroughly enjoyed having them stay with us a few days.
It did have it's perks to staying in Nevada for Christmas. It was nice to let the kids just play with their toys instead of running from place to place. They have even commented that they enjoyed relaxing at home, but we do miss our family terribly. I just pray my back heals so we can at least make it home for Easter. It's been a tough last few months, but every day my back is getting a little bit better.
Her poor finger gets the circulation cut right off, and she can't pull it out without help. When she realizes that her finger is stuck it's usually accompanied by a few panicked screams, then we all laugh. 
They planned a bunch of Minute to Win it games which were a lot of fun. Each family played against the other with a family rep for each game. I can't report that we won, but it was really close.
Aliza was so cute scrunching her face up trying to get the oreo in her mouth. I wish I could have captured a picture of it.
We feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends to bring in the New Year with. The following Monday we had a family home evening on resolutions. This is what the Phillips Family are working on this year:
I didn't end up with one decent picture because there was just way to many people to not get someone in the picture that didn't belong. The lady in the picture above was trying to help us out, and this man below just didn't have a clue that we were trying to take a picture.
While they were here we had a lot of good food, laughs, and made fun memories (are you cold Karen, hehe). So glad they were able to visit.
