Christmas Day!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

This is the first Christmas in I can't remember how long that we had snow!

It snowed Christmas Eve, and has been sleeting and raining for the most part of the day!We hope that our poor palm trees make it! They all look like Alfalfa!

Christmas Morning we always let the kids wake us up at whatever time they choose!

This was the first year in Shotwell History that we woke up before the kids! My poor

mom was waiting in her car since 6am outside because we all slept clear through til 7:30am!

After presents we always have "Christmas Casserole" for breakfast. I think I was still in

slumber heaven because I totally forgot to put it in the oven.....

Brunch was great though!

First the kids tear into their stockings, as Nat King Cole sings Chestnuts Roasting!!

A sleepy eyed Jaxyn is excited about the Indiana Jones

action figure that Santa brought him!

Daddy hands out the presents one by one, everyone takes their turn to open their gift!

Sorting the presents.....one by one!

Happy Christmas Kids!

Kylie is known for her Hot Cocoa addiction at our house!

That is why this mug that Jaycie made for her was the PERFECT gift!
Santa put hot cocoa in her stocking.....she is set!

Grandma got Jaycie Sudoku puzzles.....think she's happy about it?

Grandma nailed it this year by giving Jaxyn a Hulk Costume...

He had 3 different costumes on his list, Storm Trooper, Hulk, and Iron Man.

Luckily Grandma followed through, because Santa missed the boat!

Ugg....What happens when you tell EVERYONE you want the same thing?

You get 3 pairs of the same thing! No Problem! I'm SO happy to have warm comfy boots!
Santa presents at our house are always wrapped in Santa paper and always opened last!
Everyone is ready to tear into their last gift!
Brynklie was so excited to get her American Girl Doll!
A lot of what we did was homemade this year! Kylie made this

long board for Skyler....Santa brought him the wheels, the trucks, and bearings to complete it!
Santa brought the whole family a few fun gifts!

Rock Band 2 and

Wii Outdoor Challenge!

Jump Jaycie!!

The kids had a blast all day......

but it was far from quiet!!!

Jaycie was very generous to give me a very nice Willow Tree collectible.

These are my favorite!

She also gave us a beautiful Manti Temple card, which is where we were sealed, and drew us a

silhouette of a couple. She is very thoughtful.

Thanks Jaycie, I love you!

All the kids made us nice things at school this year! Kylie made me a gorgeous shelf and Lance a beautiful wood pen! Brynklie and Jaxyn also made us some fun stuff!

Being a parent is the best! I love this part!

We were fortunate enough to spend some of Christmas with some

sweet friends of ours. The kids spent some extra

time crafting some special gifts for our friends the Carter's.

Sister Carter showed the girls her calander from her daughter,

it had special pictures of her family in it!

The Carter's are special "adopted" grandparents to our children!
We love them and feel very blessed to have them in our lives!

Ruth and I, she is a great friend!

btw, as a general rule, I don't get ready on Christmas....

you just gotta deal with how I look when I get up! I deserve one day off!

Merry Christmas Brother and Sister Carter! We love you!