Christmas Morning

At our house, Christmas morning started just after 7:00am. We told the kids they couldn't leave their room until the sun was up--next year we may have to push that back a little! Here are the kids anxiously waiting on the stairs, while Dad checks to make sure Santa came. They all looked really cute in their new Christmas jammies.
Santa delivered! Dallin was thrilled to find his very own big-boy bike. He's still getting the hang of peddling, and he spent most of Christmas day practicing in the kitchen.

Even though Claire got a few fun presents, she was most in love with her new sunglasses Santa left in her stocking. She spent the whole morning "lookin' cool."

The kids bought gifts for each other this year--Lauren found the perfect gift for Jackson. BATTLESHIP!! He also loved the snowboard, and walkie-talkies he got from Santa.

Dallin continued his "Cars" Christmas with a new pair of shoes.

Lauren scored a new Webkinz, and a DS. She pretty much disappeared after we finished opening presents. Two new games, and her very own DS--what more could a girl ask for?

The kids declared this the best Christmas EVER! I think Joel and I would have to agree--it was noisy, and crazy, and everything that Christmas morning should be.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Holiday Happenings

We have had such a fun & BUSY Christmas season this year. Here are a few of the highlights...

Seeing the lights & Visitors Center at the Washington DC Temple.

The kids always love to see the different trees, the statue of Christ, the lights, & of course the nativity.

Making homemade Christmas cards. This turned into quite an adventure, as we discovered lots of new ways to clean glue stick off of furniture, out of clothes, and hair, and...well, you get the idea. The kids had a lot of fun making cards for their teachers.

Making gingerbread houses. I am constantly amazed at the amount of candy the kids can get onto one object using only frosting. It is truly a sight to behold. The older three kids loved decorating our house, and Claire was mostly in charge of demolition.

The finished product.

And finally, making pomanders. This is the project that keeps on giving. I have them sitting in a big bowl on my counter, and we all love to smell the fresh spicy citrus scent. We will all be sad to see these go. Merry Christmas everyone!

Whoa!

At our house, baking Christmas goodies is an annual holiday tradition. Every year, we make a list of everyone's favorites, and then spend a weekend making and tasting all our Christmas creations. The kids get all decked out in their aprons and hats, and well, the rest is a blur of flour and chocolate. It's a little overwhelming, but I have to say, having all the kids in the kitchen with me is one of my very favorite times. Here are a few pictures of our crazy cooks...

Between trying to make everyone's favorite treats, and adding a few new recipes, this year's baking got a little out of control. Dallin walked in as we were assembling plates to take to the neighbors, and stopped dead in his tracks. All he could say is, "Whoa!" Actually I think that says it all. :)

And the remote goes to..... THE MEN!!!

Boy, oh boy! Joel was excited by the news today! After nearly 2 years of equal numbers, the Mattingley men have once again reestablished their majority. Jackson is thrilled that now we will have a "manly house" FOREVER! Our little guy is healthy, and has all his important parts--ALL HIS IMPORTANT PARTS!! (Joel is giddy!) My official due date is now May 14th, moved back one week, grr... We are all excited and anxious to meet our newest member.

**And just for the record, Chelsey wanted to post the picture of his face.

Riding the Polar Express

This past weekend we woke up to SNOW!!! The kids went straight out of their pj's into their snowsuits, and out the door. They played out almost the whole morning, and even built a snowman. Later that day, we drove to Cumberland, MD to ride the Polar Express train. The Western Maryland RR has a Christmas train that travels from Cumberland to the North Pole, (Frostburg, MD) where the kids can visit Santa, eat cookies and hot chocolate and explore the train.

All the kids wear their jammies, and on the ride up they have popcorn, a story, and sing Christmas songs. The kids especially loved visiting the open car--where you can see the tracks, and going through the tunnel.

Dallin just had to call Nana and Grandma to tell them all about it.

The porter comes around and punches everyone's ticket--just like in the movies!

Jackson and Dallin were anxious to tell Santa everything they wanted for Christmas. Lauren was another story, however. After a few tears, she agreed to stand "near" Santa for a picture, if I would go up and tell him what she wants for Christmas.

This is as close as we could get. :)

Across from Santa's village was a train museum with miniature replicas of the train and the route between Cumberland and Frostburg. Outside we got to see the engine and the coal car up close. There were two men who ride up on top of all the coal, shoveling it into the engine.

We had a great night!