Merry Christmas - 2016

Tyler, Megan, Allie, and Josh in their new jammies all ready to start opening presents.  They had some pretty awesome bed head. 

Josh and Tyler opening up their stockings.  We almost forgot about them...you have to open stocking first, it's tradition!

Megan loved her stocking too.  I always loved opening my stocking as a child.

Tyler got the Harry Potter books and much much more.

Allie got many dolls this year.  Mostly Elsa and Anna dolls and she loved them all.  She was so fun to watch open presents.  She would get so excited when she saw what the present was and then wanted to open that present right away.  It was pretty adorable!!!

We decided to finally get the kids an Xbox.  We let Josh open it and he and Tyler were so excited.  Tyler kept saying that he really wanted one and Tony and I just played it off.  It was fun to see them both so excited.  We all were really so spoiled this year and so blessed.  We have each other, our health, our family.  So blessed!

Happy Christmas Eve

We sure have been having a fun few days.  Our first party was the annual Clark family party on Christmas Eve eve (or Christmas Adam...silly).  We had it at Julie's house this year and it was lots of fun.  We had a good turn out of Clark's and Willis's and a good time was had by all who attended, I hope.
Then on Christmas Eve we went to the annual Kresser family party.  Margie always throws a good party and we always have a good time seeing extended family.
After the party was over and the guest all left it was time for the grand kids to open their jammies from Grandma.  This is one of my favorite things of the season.  It is just the Steenblik's and everything seems so calm.  It is so fun seeing all the kids in their new jammies, especially when they match.  It's adorable!!!
This year we video chatted with Nate's kids so that all the grand kids could open their jammies together.

After most the kids changed (the teenagers were too cool to change) they all got together for a picture.  They even got Matt, Lydia, and Cora in the picture with them on the lap top.  It is always so much fun.
After all that excitement we took the kids home and got them to bed.  They were all very excited for Santa to come, and so was I.

Tyler and Josh's Christmas Program

I love when the kids have their Christmas program.  Margie was so nice to come out and watch Tyler and Josh sing their songs with Allie and I.
Tyler's class sang two songs and he did a really good job.  He did get a little emotional during the first song and got a little choked up, but then pulled it together for the second song.  He sang that one loud and proud.  He a loves singing and did a really good job.

Josh's class only sang one song.  It was "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."  He didn't sing all the words, but he did most the actions and he was adorable!  He was super fun to watch.  Josh is always surprising us with his cute personality and his silliness.  I sure do love this kid!

Thank you Secret Santa!

Last night while Max and Donna were at our house dropping off some most delicious cookies and some cute coloring books for the kids a stranger knocked on our door.
I didn't see who it was but when I looked out the door this cute basket of breakfast goodies was on my front porch.  In it was a card saying "Breakfast was on us from Secret Santa."  So cute and thoughtful.  It was complete with pancake mix, butter, syrup, hot chocolate, marshmallows, choc chips, plates, and utensils.  It was such a nice surprise and really made us feel special!

Breakfast With Santa

It was that time of year again to have our Breakfast with Santa and boy was it fun.
Margie joined in on our fun and we all had some good food before the kids all got together to sing for Santa.  The three older kids were so excited to see Santa and sit on his lap.  Allie, however, wanted nothing to do with him.  She cried at the very sight of him.  We didn't want to force her to see him, so Tony entertained her.  Good times.

Tyler Ski Day!

Tyler got to go skiing with his class.  He was so excited and has been for months.  Tony is in California right now with work so he missed out on the fun of getting Tyler his skis in Sandy the night before and then we had to drive back there to return them tonight.
Tyler said that he didn't like skiing....he LOVED skiing.  He said that they told him he was really good and one of the best in the class.
He is really excited to go again sometime.  Maybe after Tony recovers from his knee surgery he can take Tyler on the after 3 ski runs.  I am so glad that he liked it so much and am excited to see him get more into it as he gets older.

Tyler is Student of the Month

Tyler is such a good kid and a great student.  His teachers always love him.  If I remember correctly, Tyler has gotten Student of the Month every year since Kindergarten.  He is a great kid and we are so lucky to have him in our family!

Pictures: My Kids are too Cute!!!

FHE - Gingerbread House Making

Margie (so thoughtfully) gets us a gingerbread making kit each year.  This has become a fun Family Home Evening tradition.  This is the "before" picture.

This is the "during" picture.

...and the "after" picture.

Josh showing us his side of the house.  He was proud.

Allie really liked helping put the candy on the house.  This activity really helps me keep my OCD in check and just let the kids have fun making a mess and being creative. 

Megan decorated the door and she was so happy with it.  She had lots of fun too.

Tyler and Tony worked on this side of the house.  They did pretty good.

Josh, Allie, and Megan eating the candies off the house we just decorated.  It didn't last long, but we all had a great time decorating it together!

Now That's a Big Bear

The other day we were shopping at Costco (our favorite place to shop) and we were going down the Christmas toy isle and they had their huge teddy bears for sale.
Every time we see these bears the kids all have to give them hugs and lay on them.  It always makes me wonder what people actually do with one of these bears in their home...jungle gym bear?  They are super cute and soft and it is fun to watch the kids go crazy for them when we are in the store.