Happy 9th Birthday, Jackson!!! (+ more potty training)

Potty Training/Mastery, Bball, & Crawling!!

Jackson getting ready for basketball

The Merriest of Christmases!!

 We had such a fun Christmas morning... which began at 9:30am. The kids were so tired from some late night family gatherings and other fun celebrations, they all slept in! The last child finally woke up around 9:15am and then we gathered on the stairs and took our traditional Christmas morning pictures.

 They were SO excited!!!

 Christmas morning is so MAGICAL!!

 It was awesome to see their excitement! Poor Jackson was still dealing with pain in his chin. He tried his best to smile, but it was uncomfortable.

 Giving the gifts they shopped for and purchased themselves.

 The best part was asking the kids their favorite part about Christmas day and they all said, "watching their brother or sister open the gift they had chosen for them." These moments sure bring on a whole lot of positive emotions. We have such good kids!

 Jackson surprised me (with Dad's help - a ride to the store) with my favorite chocolate covered almonds! A yummy treat that was gladly shared by all.

I pulled off a complete surprise for Parker with a projector! He is loving it... we all are. :-)

 Daddy got a special gift for all the kids that was quite large to be wrapped. So, he decided to send them on a scavenger hunt... I took a picture after they found each clue.

 The box was huge. There's no way you could miss it right in the middle of the living room (Parker brought it in from where we were storing it in the garage while they were finding a clue downstairs). But Jackson was so determined to spot the next clue on the little sticky notes, he was blind to the box. I was standing right behind it, touching the box with my legs and taking pictures of the whole experience/reaction.

 Lucy & Kate both noticed, but I put my finger up to my mouth signaling for them to let him discover it on his own. He was busy looking in and around the Christmas tree for a clue.

This was my favorite moment... I said, "Jackson! Look at me," thinking surely he would notice the box if he looked my direction. He stared right at me and didn't see it. I told him to look down. It took him a second to register and then that was it!

 He finally saw it. And it was awesome!!!

 A little fashion show with new clothes...

Trying out Daddy's new projector... Bella chose Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She is in heaven.

What a wonderful day to share together as a family. As we strengthened relationships with one another and gave gifts, we enjoyed celebrating the greatest gift offered to each of us - in and through the Birth, Life,  Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. This season and always, we are so grateful for His unconditional and abiding love for each of us. It has been a very merry Christmas!!