Merry Christmas

We started off the lovely Christmas morning with our traditional picture on the stairs. For some reason we didn't get Mike in there, the kids were to excited to come down and see if Father Christmas had come. We actually got to sleep in Christmas morning until 9 o'clock, which is a rarity. Carter did come to our bed with excitement at about 7, but after such a long night on Christmas Eve we persuaded him to cuddle with us and try to rest a bit more. I would recommend sleeping in for such a busy day.

The kids were instantly thrilled to see they were good little children and Santa thought so as well, the tree had presents abundant and the kids weren't sure where to start!

The stocking dive began with each child finding chocolate and treasures galore within. Mason, of course, started to devour the sweets straight away with the intent to finish them all before even starting with the unwrapping of gifts.

Let the unwrapping begin!

On Christmas Eve we went to see the newest Narnia movie and went out for dinner afterwards. We were exploring the toy store and Carter found a magic eight ball. Mike told him how it worked, and Carter was whispering things in it for awhile. One of the things he asked was if he would receive his Spy Kit he asked for, it magically said, "yes!" He was so excited to see if it was true, his face says it all!

What a fabulous Christmas, and how spoiled my children were. It was such a joy to see their wonderful faces and excitement over things they had hoped for and received. They were all so happy about each other getting things, it was cute to see them watch each other with such joy. After we opened our lovely gifts we set off with battery filling, un-boxing, and playing with great enthusiasm. It was a wonderful day spent with our little family.

Christmas Eve

As is the tradition of many, we also get new PJ's on Christmas Eve. The kids were thrilled out their new PJ's....I really mean it, my kids loved it. They were so hyper and excited about Christmas, but we were still able to read a story about the birth of our Savior.

Taylor loved her new Tink PJ's, they were super shiny and she thought that was extra cool.

This is me pulling my lovely, "thanks for taking my picture and a picture of the laundry I have yet folded for today." face, but what do you do, right?

The official Santa tracker was up and running, we find this the best method for putting the children to bed. They like going to bed when Santa is over Germany so they have plenty of time to go to sleep. I love all the magic that is in the air for my gorgeous children. They are the highlight of Christmas, watching the joy they have about it all. Mason was just laughing in the background instead of taking a picture for us...silly boy!

Christiansen family--Christmas 2010

Brennan

Brennan is so full of personality that we can hardly stand it! He loves being involved in everything going on with the family and mimics anything any of us says. This is not always a good thing, but hopefully he can get some of the mischief out of his system.

Brennan wanted to wear this shirt that we found going through all the clothes, it was a newborn size shirt, he was super stylish.

I wouldn't give him something that he wanted :) Love the addition of the hat to his wardrobe.

Church Party

The kids were also able to sing at the ward Christmas party. They did a great job, for such a tiny primary they sound like a huge choir singing, it is impressive! I think we had about 5 kids missing in this picture, which make up the rest of the primary. :)

Christmas Performances

Taylor did a fabulous job as a snowflake in her performance at school, she is really coming out of her shell and feeling confident when up on a stage. She never had a thick shell, but you get the point. She was thrilled to have such an important role as being a snowflake.

Carter was our handsome and distinguished innkeeper for his school performance this year. I stood in the back of his afternoon performance and was captivated by the wonderful spirit that felt the room as the children sang about Joseph and Mary. It was so sweet to me that not only was it allowed to have this in the school, it was the whole point of the play. I love that my children have this opportunity to pray and sing about our Savior while in school. Carter did a great job with his line, "so sorry, but there isn't room."

Fun times!

Our good friend Elder Kats came through the area again while travelling around the mission with his companion Elder Zemp. He was headed home a few weeks after this trip and the kids were thrilled to have their good friend visiting. Somehow a string got pulled across the room and then the kids went wild flipping over it, doing the limbo under it, and just having a great time!

Taylor couldn't let Elder Kats get away with coming to our house and not climbing over him.

Elder Hales and Elder Pulotu are the guys currently serving in our area, and they really are a couple of big kids. Elder Hales found great fun in the children's new pastime. They have been using pillows and sliding down the stairs. Who could resist that temptation.

Love this picture, Brennan was really having that much fun!

Sunday Readiness

Brennan did not want me to change his diaper on a Sunday morning. He went as far as dressing himself like this so that I wouldn't touch him. I did finally win the battle and was able to get him dressed properly.

Carter was all dressed up and wanted to try his Christmas cake. He had been involved in the cookery club this last term and unfortunately missed a few sessions because he was ill. He missed the very last session and his teachers still made him this cake so that he could have it. He was so excited until he ate it! :) The English Christmas Cake flavor has still not impressed our taste buds with its fruit cakiness.

50% of them ready! This is our new kitchen in the background. I love all the colors in there, it is so different from all the white walls I have been in from the beginning of our marriage!

Roadshow

Once again, Mike and I got completely suckered into being part of our ward's project for the Stake Roadshow. The theme of the roadshow was, "What a difference a day makes." Our show was about a couple who was scheduled to set sail on the Titanic, but then gave their money to help someone and got tickets for a ship that was leaving the next day. :) It was fun, even though it was completely silly to be apart of it. I need to remind myself, "just say no!"

Bowling Mania

Now that we finally have the proper Internet and can download pictures faster, I must get caught up on our happenings. We went bowling on Halloween day with some friends that were passing through on their way back to London.

Mason is always happy to be bowling, but he loves it even more since he started the 4th grade and they go to the bowling alley for their community time every couple of weeks. He really is spoiled in his school!

Brennan finally was understanding about the game and through quite a few down that were right down the middle. He does take after his siblings, in that he has to lay down and view the ball going down from the side.

Taylor was also willing to throw it instead of using the ramp and she found that she was quite good as well.

Carter is getting better and better, he also has a little competitive bug in him, watched the scores the whole time and was trying to figure out how much he needed to win.

This is Elder Kats, who was the one passing through. As he has been mentioned on the blog before, lets just say....we have adopted him as our brother. :)

Mommy and Taylor having a break from all that bowling.

Elder Kats with his companion at the time, Elder Hatch

Uncle Mike was also still with us, the kids were so excited when he was around. Brennan was going through pictures on the computer with me yesterday and even remembered his name--I think that is the first time that has happened outside our immediate family.

The next time we went bowling was the first week in November. The kids were out of school for their half term and we were recruited to help some 20 odd missionaries to get on the base for a day of fun. They were meeting as a zone, and the kids were in heaven with this many Elders, and the added bonus of some Sisters!

Carter took the camera and had a fun time going around snapping some shots. I appreciate the fine example all of these men or women are when they come to our home or when we just meet them for a fun afternoon. We have made some dear friends and are grateful for the opportunity we have to spend the time we do with those that are about the Lord's work in the London Mission.

Carter was especially fond of the sister missionaries. Taylor wouldn't leave their side either. They always have the Elders in our home, so I think they like having the sisters around.