Christmas Day Arrives!

Santa spoiled the Hope family this year!!! Here are Craig and Riley checking out the Wii - the funny part is; I told Scott to make sure Craig had plenty of time to check out what Santa brought him before we alerted him to the Wii. Craig ran straight to the Wii, started jumping up and down yelling "We got a Wii, we got a Wii!" I wasn't quite quick enough to catch the jumping on camera but Scott got it on video!!! Ashlie got a new kitchen table - she has been living without one for a year!!!!

Here Riley is checking out the clothes Santa brought her! Teenagers - all they want are clothes, shoes, and jewelry :)!!!!

Andi got her hearts desire - an Easy Bake Oven. Santa always strives to make children happy but mom is pretty sure this present will require more work for her than Andi but the squeal of delight made it all worth it!!

The poor college student isn't used to the hours her younger siblings keep!! She made it through the present opening but this was how she could be found for most of the day after that!!!! Cute girl!

Craig and Robo Rover!!!! This little robot is actually quite sarcastic and funny! He has been making us all laugh! I had very happy children this year!!

I don't really remember most of the gifts I got as a child but I remember the traditions, the laughing, the game playing, the caroling, etc!!! I - like my mother before me - make my children carol/deliver Christmas packages every year. On the 23rd we made our yearly trek out into the cold. Riley hid behind Ashlie at a couple of the houses that were occupied by cute boys her age but for the most part my children are willing participants. My family growing up was capable of sounding pretty nice as a group - I have some wonderful singers in my family. The Hope family has not been similarly blessed!!! This may improve as my little ones age but for now I hope those we visit feel the spirit of Christmas and ignore the off key warbling!! I hope as my children grow up (although there will be those few memorable gifts) they will mostly have fond memories of our family traditions!! I hope my often feeble efforts to include the Savior and the joy of giving to others will impact their little souls and teach them to love others and be grateful for the most important gift we all recieved. I hope they have hearts full of family memories and love for their siblings!! I cannot tell you how my heart aches to be so far away from many of my siblings this time of year! I am grateful for wonderful parents, amazing siblings, and mostly for my personal Savior who has enabled me to have all the joy and blessings I enjoy at this time!!

We recieved several new games for Christmas and now I plan to sit around the table and play with my cute kids!!! I plan to laugh and build memories with the sweet little people I have been blessed with as children!! Merry Christmas!