Christmas 2010

Christmas Day 2010.  Isabelle woke up about 6:45 and tried her best to not beg to go and see what she got but after 10 minutes of waiting, she was done with waiting.  We tried waking Gracie but she said:  "I want to open presents when it's morning time," not realizing it was actually morning even though it was still dark.  Shortly before 7:30 we had Gracie awake and Brooks started on his bottle and we were ready.  Right before the girls walked out Isabelle said:  "Gracie, if we only get one My Salon Doll, I will share it with you."  I thought the gesture was very thoughtful but I not sure if she would have actually followed through!

Grandma and Grandpa Ferran showed up about 8:00 to bring the kids presents and watch them unwrap some of their other gifts.  Isabelle's favorite present was the My Salon Doll and even though Gracie really loves hers, her favorite has to be her new Barbie Car.  Brooks was just happy to eat paper and put whatever he could in his mouth.  After unwrapping most of the gifts (But saving some for later) we hurried and got ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa Barker's house.

We were a little late, but just before 11:00 we showed up and had a really nice Brunch with lots of different options.  The kids had a lot of fun drawing pictures and playing until we decided that they could start opening presents.  After all the gifts were exchanged and we spent some time just relaxing there, at about 3:00 we went to say hi to the Ferran's.  On our way home at 5:00 we dropped some cookies off to DeAnne for her Birthday and then came home.

It was a busy day and because of that Brooks didn't sleep all that well.  He had a decent nap this morning, a very short one this afternoon, and then another short one when we got home.  Luckily he is asleep now and the girls are getting ready for bed by watching T.V. in Mommy and Daddy's room.  It has been a great Christmas, and I think the kids got what they wanted and had a fun day with Grandparent's and Cousins'.  

Today Isabelle has been a very helpful big Sister to Gracie and Brooks when she was needed.  It makes me feel good when she goes out of her way to help Gracie learn how to use a new toy or cleans up the family room without being asked.   It was fun to see the interaction between Gracie and Isabelle today and how they really worked to help each other out which on a daily basis doesn't always happen.  And Brook's, he was just happy to be a spectator in this crazy show we call Christmas Day.

Brook's Christmas

Isabelle's Christmas

Gracie's Christmas

Trying to be happy when Isabelle wakes you up

Ready to go after waiting for too long

Brooks was the last one to wake up, you can tell in this picture

All Brook's cared about was eating whatever was placed in front of him

Gracie and Isabelle are both excited Gracie finally has her own robe

Her new robe

Isabelle's Snuggie

Grandma helping Brook's open his present from her and Grandpa

Aly got me some new Cologne, McGraw (I think she got it because she thinks Tim McGraw is hot)

Isabelle's new Hat

Gracie after she got into her makeup

Brooks in his First Christmas Bib

Brooks totally uninterested in his toy, just the wrapping paper

Isabelle opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa (Not sure what Colton is doing)

This picture is totally Gracie, that is a look she gives a lot

Mommy and her Girls

Christmas Eve 2010

We started the day frosting cookies that Aly and the Girls had made the day before.  While they were frosting I prepared the food that we were going to be taking tonight for Christmas Eve.

Brooks playing with paper

At around 12:00 I took the girls over to the movie theater to see "Tangled with Grandma Barker, and while they were gone, Aly and I got stuff done here.

When the girls got home we got them ready for the day and tried to keep their mind off of opening presents (Especially Gracie)  Tonight we did the traditional Ferran Family Christmas Eve and spent time eating good food (Prime Rib) and opening presents.  

Brooks' showing everyone how he eats his toes

Opening Christmas Pajamas

Christmas Pajamas

Christmas Pajamas

Aly's finished product, turned out to be a great dessert

Brooks' was more than tired by the time we left and the girls were just excited to get to sleep so Santa could come.  As we got in the car Gracie was sad that we didn't have any Carrots to give the Reindeer but once I told her that we could give them lots of small ones she seemed happy with the answer.  We read Luke 2 as we drove away from Grandma & Grandpas and by the end of the Chapter everyone was asleep.  We were a little late getting home but it was another great Christmas Eve.

Zoo Lights

Christmas is going to be here very soon so we decided that tonight we would go out and see some lights.  Temple square was an option but it was supposed to be crowded tonight so we took the kids to the Zoo. It was about 27 degrees, but still not terribly cold except when the wind would come down from the canyon.  We bundled everyone up and headed out to see some animals and check out all the really cool lights.  

We were first greeted by some of Santa's Reindeer and then we were able to go see Santa.  Luckily we went on a night that was not too busy so the wait to see him was only five minutes.  Meeting him was worth the 20 dollars it took to get our family into the zoo because unlike the mall or other places, they had individual time with Santa.  After a picture they spent about three minutes telling them everything that they wanted.   Isabelle told him she wanted Twinkle Toes and the My Salon Doll, Gracie wanted makeup and a new Barbie.  

After Santa we walked around and saw all the great lights, most of which were in the shape of the animals at the Zoo.  The girls were able to ride the Carousel, drink hot chocolate, see a baby monkey, watch the Tigers and see lots of cool animated animal lights and then we left to go get warm the car.  After dinner at Costa Vida we headed home with Gracie and Brooks falling asleep in the car and Isabelle crashing just a few minutes after we arrived.

It was a great time and even though most animals were in bed for the night we still were able to see a few and enjoy all the lights.  We will have to do it again next year.

 

Everyone excited to see Santa

All bundled up and ready for a cold night at the Zoo

Brook's decide that Pajamas were the best look for him when he met Santa for the first time 

The Zoo even had a couple of Reindeer

The classic Hogle Zoo Lion in light form

Riding the Carousel

Isabelle excited to be on a snow leopard

The Big Cats down for the night (I took this through the fence, it turned out pretty good)

Letting Brook's get out of his seat to stretch even though it was really cold

Watching the 12 days of Christmas 

I think Gracie is a little cold after an hour and a half at the Zoo