Christmas Eve Morning Gift Exchange

This is seriously one of my favorite traditions!  Since the beginning of November, the kids have been doing chores to purchase a gift for the person whose name they drew.  I love to watch the kids work hard and earn the money to buy this special gift.  I also love that they put a lot of thought into these gift- so special.  Here is how things shook up this year:

Tag- Harlee bought for him this year.  She got him an old school nintendo system.  He LOVED it!  He was so excited that he could not even sit still.  He wanted everyone to hurry and open their gifts so that he could go play.

Gray- Nash bought for him this year.  He got him a really cool gun that shoots foam balls.  It came with two so they can play together. He also got him a new basketball.  They love shooting hoops together.

Nash- Joey bought for him this year.  He got him a funny monkey canvas which is something that he has been wanting.  He also got him NBA 21 for the XBox.  Nash was so excited.

Harlee- I bought for Harlee this year.  I got her two pairs of men's sweats that she has been wanting.  I also got her a new phone case and a Friends game.

Luke- Gray bought for Luke this year.  He got him a new microphone for his gaming since his other one had broke.  He also gave him $5.

Mom- Tag bought for me this year and he spoiled me with the help of Joey.  He got me a phone holder for my car, a laser, makeup sponges, a track suit, and chocolates.

Dad- Luke bought for Joey this year.  He got him a sweater that he wanted and some licorice caramels.  He also got him his favorite Christmas taffy.

Everyone was so pleased with what they received.  I LOVE this tradition.  I love the thought and care that goes into each purchase.  Such a perfect way to start Christmas Eve.

Sleepover

Today the boys had Kai over and begged for him to stay and have a sleepover.  How could I say no?  They are all such cute friends and I love that they want to spend so much time together.  They played tons of games and stayed up way too late.  So grateful that they have each other and that their friendship is still going strong even though Kai no longer lives across the street.  

Swim Meet

Today the boys participated in a 14 and under swim meet at the Legacy center.  Due to COVID only one spectator was allowed in to watch.  I was the lucky one who got to go watch these boys show their skills.  They were allowed to participate in 3 events.  They both started with a 50 free.  I was so impressed!  Gray's personal time to beat was 50:03 and he got 33:56!  Not only was that an amazing improvement but Gray made STATE!!!  So so proud!  Nash did equally as great.  His time to beat as 38:27 and he got 32:31- so amazing!  I cannot believe how fast they both are.  Gray's next race was the 100 IM.  This is the first time he had done this race and he got 1:34:27.  Nash took on the 100 Free next.  His prior time was 1:26:11 and he got 1:11:03.  He cut almost 15 seconds off- that's incredible.  Their last event was the 50 back.  This was the only race that they were actually racing in the same heat.  They took 3rd and 4th place.  Nash's time to beat was 46:12 and he got 40:76.  Gray's time to beat was 53:28 and he got 40:88.  I am so proud of these boys.  They work so hard.  They go to practice five days a week without complaint.  They give it their all and their times show that.  Cannot wait until the next meet.

Happy 12th Nashie

Our middle child is 12 years old!  How did this happen?  I cannot believe that Nash is 12.  Nash is seriously an amazing kid.  He is pure goodness.  He is always looking for ways to help and is always so grateful for everything.  He deserves an amazing day!  It was the last day of school before Christmas break so they had a minimal day for Nash's birthday.  It was not a party year so we went to Chili's for dinner which was Nash's choice.  We then came home and Nash got to open his presents.  He received a few new items of clothing, a big bag of hershey kisses, and a new phone!  He was so excited.  We then had cake which he chose white cake so Tag would want to have some!  So sweet.  He will be going on his 12 year old trip with Joey in the spring when hopefully the world is back to normal.  Happy Birthday Nash- you deserve the world.

First Snowman this Winter

Today was the first day that it snowed a ton!  It snowed enough for the kids to go out and play in it.  Harlee, Nash, and Tag worked really hard and made their best snowman yet!  I was so proud and they were so sore from lifting the heavy snow.  Love my new view as I wash dishes.

Christmas Dance Recital

I was a little shocked when we heard that Harlee's dance studio was moving forward with the Christmas performance.  They did ask us all to wear masks and they had it in the American Fork High School gym so we could social distance.  I was super excited to watch her perform.  She is such an amazing performer and just "smarkles" on stage.  I love watching her dance.  She did a jazz dance to a Jonas Brother's song "Like It's Christmas".  It was so cute.  Love that I get to share a love of dance with my favorite girl.  Great job Har!

In this family we fight together...

For Christmas my Dad asked each of us to take a family picture wearing a mask that says that in this family no one fights alone.  He had each family take a picture and he made a big frame with all of the pictures.  I love this idea.  It has kind of hit a little closer to home lately.  Jenna's doctors encouraged me to have a MRI done just to make sure that I did not have any hidden issues.  We found out that I had a small mass on my right side.  I had to have a biopsy done and found out that it was a benign tumor.  I will most likely be having surgery in January to have it removed but I was so relieved that it was not cancer.  Just going through that scare gave me a little glimpse into what Jenna is going through.  It is terrifying.  I am so in awe of her strength and her example.  If anyone can get through it Jenna can.  I hope she can feel our love and knows that she does not have to go through this alone.  

Gingerbread Fun

Yesterday GP stopped by and dropped off a gingerbread house kit.  The kids had a great time working on it.  Luke was too busy catching up on schoolwork, that is why he is not in the picture.  They were patient and worked together really well.  Thanks GP!

PRMI Christmas Party

Even COVID could not stop the annual PRMI Christmas party.  Secretly I was hoping that it would!  We did have to modify things a little bit and Jeff's team sat at one table and DJ's team at another.  It was kind of nice to have a smaller group and we were all able to participate in one conversation.  It was good to see Chelsea and Cheryl and Jeff's wife.  Jeff was really generous with his gift this year- he gave me $210 to a spa and $100 to Ruth's Chris.  It was a fun night and I know Joey always loves the opportunity to feast on meat!  

Free Christmas Fun

Early this morning my friend Alison sent a text out saying that she had tickets to a drive thru light show in South Jordan that she was not able to use. I was so grateful for an excuse for some family time.  Tag had ABI so we went out to dinner without him.  We went to JCW's and Har and I got Costa Vida.  After dinner we grabbed Tag at 6:30pm and headed to the light show.  It was really fun to drive thru and feel a little bit of Christmas spirit.  This year has been crazy with work for Joey and I so it was such a blessing to take some time away from our computers and enjoy some time with our favorite people.  

He's Back!

This morning when the kids woke up our friendly elf Richard was back!  He had come to make sure that the kids make good choices so Santa can bring them amazing presents on Christmas.  He brought donuts and frosted cookies so Tag would have something he liked.  Unfortunately Richard brought cookies with a different label.  Maybe next year he will get it right!  I cannot wait to see what crazy things we will wake up to each morning and I hope the kids will be on their best behavior!