Christmas has come and gone, but that doesn't mean we didn't have fun. We have done different things for Christmas (some years focus more on a big family gift, some years are small due to Thanksgiving vacations, and some years should probably be reigned in more) but this year we decided to go with getting as many small things as possible from their lists. For months, each kid had kept a list on our computer of what they wanted for Christmas. Lucky for us, the kids still want mainly small things. This let us get more gifts for each which kept them very excited all day long.
Troy got lots of things for the fish tank (SHOCKER)! It seems like this is always his gift each year, but it is one of the rare times he can buy things that are more expensive. In all he walked away with new lights, a couple VERY expensive corals, two new fish, and starfish knobs to keep the tank locked up from little kids. He also got Zelda for Wii. Notice that there are not pictures of Troy and I. It was late by the time Santa left and, although we made the kids wait until 7:00 am, it was still too early to be looking good.
My big gift was a leather ottoman for the great room (you can kind of see it in the picture), and then Troy surprised me with an iPod Touch. I'm not quite sure how he pulled it all off since I am the one who does all the money, but he did. I also got some iTunes money, a new pair of pajamas, and Mini Ninjas for Wii.
Zach got LOTS of Bakugan, Fossil Fighters for DS, a new BYU shirt, Ben 10 aliens, a Spiderwick Chronicles book and a back scratcher. Yep, you heard right. He has been wanting a back scratcher for some years now and he finally got it.
Josh got LOTS of Bakugan also, more than even Zach. He also got a new BYU shirt, Kirby Super Star for DS, a new book, some Star Wars guys and Ben 10 aliens.
Matt got LOTS of Bakugan too. (Are you noticing a theme for my boys?) He also got the Bakugan video game for Wii, a new BYU shirt, a new book, a foam sword, Ben 10 aliens and some Star Wars guys. He loved his sword and carried it around for a couple weeks after.
Emma got all things girly. She walked away with many ponies and a bubble castle for them, a dog she can "fix up", barrettes for her hair, littlest pet shop figures, a princess book, a BYU shirt and a Dora DS game. She now has a significant stash of girl toys that none of the boys wants to touch...and she wouldn't have it any other way.
So in case you are keeping track, everyone in the family got a video game of some sort and all the kids got new books and BYU shirts (we're trying to influence them from a young age). Overall, Christmas was a quiet affair but loads of fun.
