Christmas 2013

This Christmas was a great one.

December 23 was the traditional Bennington family party. This year we had it at my Grandma and Grandpa's church. It was great to have more space to let the {crazy} kids run around. It was fun that one of my kiddos was running around this year. Stratton hardly at a bite because there was so much fun to be had with all the cousins. It was also fun that my hubby was one of the few adults running around with the kids too. I am pretty sure he thinks he is still one of them. It will be no surprise to you that my dad was the other adult running with them all :) Santa came to the party, and that was fun. I thought Stratton was going to be scared of him, but he did not cry, so that was good. I think he sat with him in hopes of getting the present that he had in his hands. We have taught him so well. Stratton got a toy tractor from Santa {thanks mom and dad!}. He also got one of those annoying toys that pops the balls when you push/pull it around. Thanks grandma and grandpa Bennington, even if Bryce and I are not super fond of it, he really does love that! I sure love my Bennington family. It is fun to have such a good relationship with aunt, uncles, and cousins. I hope that is a tradition that last for many, many years to come.

{The party was at the church...it was so nice to have a place for kiddos to run around!}

{Stratton and Kotah}

{When Santa came in, Stratton stayed right in his seat and kept a close eye on him. He was no scared though, so that was good!}

{Stratton was so cute and kept showing great Grandma and Grandpa his new tractor}

{Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Bennington for the tractor!}

{The kiddos enjoying their toys from Santa and great Grandma and Grandpa}

On Christmas Eve, we started a new family tradition at Bryce's request - Christmas Cookies! He said he loves them so I suggested making them for the party we had later that day. It was fun to make them together. I think it is something our kids will enjoy when they get bigger too. Good idea, honey!

{Ready to bake!}

{They look pretty cute, huh!}

After the cookie baking/decorating and naps we headed over to my mom and dad's house. Typically, and for my entire life, we get together with everyone on my mom's side of the family on Christmas Eve. I am talking, my mom's cousins here. It has been a fun tradition. This year, we decided to break the mold. My mom and dad are now the grandparents, and decided they would host a Christmas party for their family. It was fun that my mom's siblings decided to join us. We still had the traditional potato soup. It was great.

{Stratton entertainment everyone at my mom and dads house}

After dinner we headed over to Bryce's mom and dad's house. For the last few years we have joined them for new comfy PJs and a Christmas story.

{Found this huge candy cane}

{Silly boy!}

{New PJs - thanks Grandma Roholt!}

{Stratton helped Grandma read}

After spending some fun time with the Roholts, we headed home. We still had not set up Stratton's toy from Santa, and I was SO excited to do it. On Christmas morning Bryce and I woke up before Stratton. I don't think the excitement and anticipation of Christmas morning will ever go away for me; I hope it doesn't! It is just so exciting to wake up and wonder what magic the day will hold. When Stratton woke up Bryce and I got him out of his crib and tried to get him excited about Santa bringing him something. I think it worked. We headed into the living room and he saw the toy that was set up for him. It was a Fisher Price Little People Zoo. He looked it over and then we gave him some animals to open. I think he enjoyed that part! We only got Stratton the one toy and had grandmas and grandpas and cousins add animals to it. I don't really love the mess that toys bring to my house, so I am really glad we did it this way. Stratton is a BIG fan of carrying animals around with him, and this zoo was a hit! Thanks to everyone for making the zoo complete with an orangutang, elephant, zebra, tiger, bear, and other great animals!