Christmas Day.

Oh my gosh Christmas was just great.

I think the highlights for me, were talking to Winston on the phone, eating non stop, watching Olivia open her presents, my presents, spending time with family, and most of all reflecting on my life and how blessed I am and have been this year and just overall being so grateful for our Savior's birth and Atonement.

I took tons of pictures. Mostly of Olivia because she is just the cutest.

Oh and did I mention, I LOVED playing Santa Clause?

Oh my gosh, it's the best.

Ahhh I can't wait to be the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy (in the far future).

Okay, back to Christmas.

Look at the pictures and enjoy the commentary.

Talking to Elder Farr on the phone.

One of the best parts of the day, hands down!

We had it on speaker phone most of the time.

Except at the end when we passed it around and told him that we loved him.

Oh my gosh, this was so hard for me.

I really am such a cry baby.

But the second I put that phone up to my ear, the tears started flowing.

I quickly said an awkward I love you and passed the phone on.

I miss him so much and it has been SO hard not to have him here for all the fun family traditions.

But, I am so proud of him, and he is doing absolutely amazing.

Yay for missionaries!

And yay for only 20 months left:)

My boy listening in on the phone call.

He gave some wonderful words of advice!

Okay so before I explain this picture, let me give a run down of the morning.

9:00 am: church

9:45: a call from Winston while at church. Oh my gosh we all about ran out of the church building right in the middle of a musical number. But Winston said we could call him when we got out.

10:30: The best phone call. Winston seems to be doing so well and is LOVING his area.

We talked for while and had to do a few call backs because of location changes.

Then we ate a yummy crockpot egg/sausage casserole and brown sugar cinnamon glazed rolls.

Then we opened our presents at around 1:00 PM.

Can you believe it?

Yep we were patient.

Which in my family is rarer than rare.

Okay so in this picture Michael is helping Olivia down the stairs to open all her presents.

She is very excited.

Her stocking goodies.

Let the present opening begin!

She LOVED opening all the presents and would rip one open and reach out for another one.

Completely oblivious to the fact that she was getting new toys and books,

It was all about the paper.

And then my Grandma came with her new puppy.

It is so dang small and just the cutest thing ever.

Olivia flipped out!

She immediately booked it to the front door and starting making her kitty sounds and reaching for the dog.

Sad, she probably won't be getting one of these.

As cute as they are, I've decided to abide by the same motto as my mother which is, "no inside pet is a pet of mine."

Maybe someday an outside dog.

She really could not get enough of it.

Oh the facial expressions of this boy.

Make me laugh so dang hard.

Oh my gosh don't you just want to shower those cheeks with a million kisses?!

Oh ya, the new sweat pants!

I'm not sure what he is doing here but whatever it is he is obviously happy!

Thanks to uncle Matthew for her new soft kitty!

Just loving the puppy.

Yay for lots of presents!

She loves to vacuum with me and Grandma Angie.

And makes the funniest face when we first turn it on.

She really thinks it's the best.

So now she has her own!

Ahhh the freaking kitchen aid!!

Oh my gosh, I could not be more excited!

Thanks to my boy and my mom.

Opening one of his "surprise" presents from me.

If you know me and Michael you know we don't keep secrets from each other.

It just isn't possible.

We both are easily bribed.

But I did it this time!

3, 1/2 hour massages for him!

Yay!

Oh just so in love these days.

Well we always were but it just keeps getting better:)

With all her gifts.

She's a bit spoiled.

But that's what you get when you are the only child and only grandchild on both sides!

She loves her kitty and doggy.

And carries them around all day making kitty and doggy sounds.

Sometimes when they make their sounds she gets a little spooked and drops them.

We hope you all had just the merriest of Christmases as well!