There are 2 days a year that a mom looks forward to when she has a child on a mission.... Christmas and Mother's Day! I have been very homesick for Tallin lately and was really looking forward to talking to him and thought that the time would never arrive to make the phone call. Lucky... we were able to do it cheaply by calling from the computer and everyone got to come in and talk to him for a while. He says he is doing good. He sounded a little down but he had a migraine and I know how badly those can hurt. And he didn't get his package! THAT made me so sad. I had mailed it in what was supposed to be more than enough time AND it had cost fortune to send... but I didn't want his first Christmas away from home to be 'gift less' and sadly, it was anyway! That about broke my heart! It goes to the mission home and he doesn't get the packages or letters right away. He is still struggling with learning the language but he is working hard and staying positive and wants to be the best missionary that he can be! He is in a world completely unlike the one he is used to and I know that he will learn and grow so much and that when he comes home he will be so amazing. He is learning things that will stay with him the rest of his life. I miss him so much... but I know that we don't grow without facing challenges sometimes and that no matter how much I would love to protect him from any hurt, that isn't always the best thing to do. The kids all loved talking to him and now we only have less than 5 months before we get to talk to him again!!!!
Nate just listening to his Tally!!!
Even Gabe got to say hello!
Christmas kind of snuck up on us this year. I had hoped to have Thayne home with us while the kids were out but him needing and then having back surgery kind of threw a kink in the plans and while it has been wonderful to have him home, it made for a crazy month and before we knew it Christmas even was here! I had been fighting a migraine off and on for almost 3 weeks and the migraine was full blown during the day, but I told Thayne that even while my head was throbbing, I knew that this was one of the moments that we needed to tuck away as a wonderful memory and cherish the moment (headache or not) and enjoy the time with our family while we have the opportunity. Everyone is growing up and families are being created and one day we won't have everyone in the house. Somebody had told my mom that married kids needed to be in their own homes and start their own traditions and while I know that there will be a time when it will be easier for them to be at home, I am grateful that our kids wanted to be here, carrying on traditions that we have created over the years! Seeing the kids together, enjoying each other's company and looking forward to the fun of the day is an amazing thing! Family is the most important thing and even more important to us because there isn't a lot of involvement from extended family. It is something that we consciously decided to work on... to keep our family strong and involved with each other. I loved listening to them playing games and talking together....even if it was loud and made the thunder in my head even worse! I love it! I love the time together. I love the memories locked away to hold tight to and cherish. I look at each child, so different and yet so strong and so amazing and I think that I have everything you could ask for! I know that times will change, sometimes we will have to share them with the other families, but those moments when we can all be together are worth more than any other gift! There is nothing of more worth than the love shared in this home!!!We waited patiently for the kids to settle down so we could get ready for bed and wait for Santa to come. They settled in the girls room but it took them a while to actually settled down! 
While we waited for the younger kids to settle down, the big kids and the 2 little elves were busy playing and talking upstairs. I have to say that having an uncle/brother like Jace is a pretty amazing thing... Jace adores Gabe and it is fun to watch him play with him....
I am thinking that Garrett should be very worried that Uncle Jace will spoil little Gabe as badly as he has spoiled Naters!!!
Our little Elf was helping us gather all of the stockings so Santa and his elves could fill them!
It seemed like the kids would never go to sleep so while we were waiting Nate thought it was funny to entertain us with stockings on his head and feet.... he also put one on his dad and his little nephew. Oh boy he was wound up... it took him quite a while to finally crash so that we could finally help Santa set!
Ho Ho Ho... silly boy!
Really... the pictures don't do it justice! Kassi said that they decided Santa just got sick of stacking presents and started tossing them on top of each other. Yep, pretty much that is exactly what happened!!!
Tiffany and Caitlyn decided it was a good idea to put the stockings on the stairs since the kids get up really, really early to sneak into the stockings. Good plan and it kept things settled until 4:45am... so mom and dad got a few hours sleep!
The house finally settled down, all is calm, all is bright... ready for the kids to get up and rip into the presents!
Lots of presents waiting for the kids to open early the next morning...
This is the best part of the whole morning, the silence before everyone goes crazy
Excited for presents... especially anything that has to do with Cars for Nate!
Bummy wanted lots of Spy Wear... and he got a lot of spy wear!
By far, the biggest hit of the day... Kailee's pink gun!!!
Loving the morning....
Caitlyn checking out her new camera and Kassi checking out her new Flip camcorder...
Boots... yay!
Handing out presents.....
Kami with her Hello Kitty alarm clock... no more excuses for sleeping in!
Gabe fell in love with Nate's cozy coupe car so Santa brought him one to play with too... though he still wants Nate's car, but that's okay, at least there are 2 of them now!
Willie was SO excited to get a Jazz jersey! Oh YAY!
Jace was able to surprise Caitlyn with almost all of her presents. He's such a sneaky boy!
Nate showing Kailee his gifts....
Making mom open some gifts also! I think if we are going to do this we must have time to shower and do ou r hair!
Wyatt found an open spae in the kitchen!!!
Nice slippers Jace....
Tanner and Celeste....
Tiffany and Garrett!!!
Barbies... oh she wanted Barbies!!!
I am pretty sure there is a cute baby under all of this paper... make sure we don't throw the baby out in the trash... we like him much too much!
Kassssssiiiiiiiiiiiiii......
Whatcha getting Jace???
Kami baby.... love all of your Tinker Bell stuff!
hanging out, opening gifts and enjoying the moment....
Christmas cheer...
Nice camera Caitlyn!
Kinzee showing off some of her loot!
Lucky boys get Garrett and Jace to push them around the house...
Gabe in his cozy coupe!
