He was surrounded and held in the arms of men who hold the priesthood, including his Daddy and Grandpa. He was wide awake and didn't cry or make a peep the entire time.
It was so wonderful to have Grandma and Grandpa here with us for the blessing.
This photo is so awesome because it looks like I am the mother of seven, rather than six!
Then we snacked on chips, pico de gallo, guacamole, pistachios, almonds, Christmas pretzels, wheat thins with Boursin cheese. The kids took advantage of the all-you-can-eat buffet of treats! 
We had fun playing pictionary on the Dry Erase board, as well as the infamous Bead/Cork game. 
The kids all love when I wear my traditional New Year's Eve party glasses! Not so sure Sebastian was in to it though. :)
All the little ones saw in the new year a bit early, while the rest of us finished off the party with Ticket to Ride and virgin pina coladas.
For Family Home Evening while they were here we did Scripture Charades--where you act out a scripture story and everyone else has to guess, and then made Banana Men for dessert.
Tristan and Alex couldn't get enough of wrestling and being silly with Grandpa--especially when Grandpa starting swinging them up into the air and onto the couch. I was truly amazed at Grandpa's patience and stamina!
We don't take the kids sledding very much during the winter. It becomes dark so early and it takes a long time to get all the gear together and on everyone, and then someone has to go pee again--you know the drill. Or somebody has a bit of a cold, or there is not enough snow, or it is too icy, or it is just too much work. We always have an excuse! :) Well, with Grandpa and Grandma here to help, we seized the moment and headed out.
We've all been having fun holding him, soaking up his sweet little spirit and kissing those yummy cheeks!
Sebastian developed a definite preference for Grandpa during this time. Often he could only be comforted by Grandpa's magic touch. I wasn't sure how he was going to function when Grandpa had to go back to Montana.
They had lots of naps together! :)
Way to go Mom and Dad! We are so grateful for your righteous example and loving support!
Isabelle loved these sunglasses that light up from her stocking.
After stockings and Santa presents, we did breakfast with the food Santa left in the stockings: sugar cereal, pop-tarts, clementines, and leftover cinnamon rolls from last night.
Emma was super excited to give everyone the presents she had prepared for them. She loves to give.
Alex and Tristan loved their "motorcycle men," and Isabelle was thrilled with a pair of ice skates, so she can take lessons like Emma.
Maya and Isabelle received these cute outfits from Grandma and Grandpa John, as well as nail stickers and polish in their stockings.
The gift I was most excited to give was Alex's baby book that I finally finished. He was very happy with it and insisted on looking at every page before we opened more presents. :)
Such a fun day!
We don't really have a traditional Christmas Eve meal. This year I made a Turkey Wreath--it is super easy and one of my favorites! Click on the recipe to see it bigger:
Then we acted out the Nativity and did our traditional crepe paper ball. It was such a fun evening!
After the little ones were in bed, Santa's helper got to work setting out presents and decorating the tree with candy canes.
