So, I LOVED what we decided to with our gift giving this Christmas...We have always struggled with how many gifts to buy each child. There are always gifts from Santa, but how much to get each of the kids varied from year to year. And, I will not lie, I struggled...I would buy something for one kid that cost a certain amount, but something the other one wanted cost less, so then I would try to match...but then I fretted because they did not have the same number of gifts under the tree. So, then I began to buy things they did not really want/need, etc. It really became such drama to me!
I was telling - well, complaining to - a friend of mine about this "issue" when she said, "I do not even go there...Each of my children receive 3 gifts from my husband and me. We figured a long time ago that if it was good enough for baby Jesus it was good enough for my children!"
I giggled at her comment. However, later that night I told Eric about it, and after some real consideration we decided that this was an awesome idea.
This Christmas each of our children received 3 gifts -- 3 personalized gifts...3 gifts each of them wanted...3 gifts each of them asked specifically for...3 gifts that Eric and I found joy in buying...3 gifts that served as a perfect reminder of the 3 gifts presented to Him on that holiest of eves...
And, one of the gifts Cannon asked for was a rocket.
He did not give many specifica about the kind of rocket he wanted...just htat he wanted a rocket...
So, a rocket we bought!
And, a rocket that Cannon and Daddy built together...
Perhaps Daddy did more building, but they did it together!
Then there was the first attempt at a launch...
This did not go to well. Nope. Nothing happened!
They were a little disappointed, but not deterred!
And before I could take a picture...We had liftoff!
as to why anyone would think...
...that putting together a superhero puzzle...
...on top of a toilet...
...would be a good idea!
I believe my family and I forgot to wish you all happy new year!
I thought that it was weird that they wanted to freeze themselves.
See the steam on the top of the water?
They thought it was funny to dare each other to walk through the icy H2O...
Of course, only G accepted the dare.
G...He is SUCH a mess!
Well, perhaps not as much a mess as Ballerina...What is up with that WILD hair?
It is funny to make K-Dan get in the pool too! 
But, it is REALLY funny to splash K-Dan repeatedly after you con him into getting in the water!
Oh, Ballerina...
I would like to point out that the torture of K-Dan is perhaps the favorite pastime when we are at the lake...The boys got in on the torture this time!
Ballerina gave up and clearly ate some ranch dressing...
And then attempted to make her cousin pose with her. However, Avery was not interested!
So, Ballerina settled to pose with Mommy!
The little girl that will not socialize with anyone, always wants to be a grump to those outside the family, does not even try to be nice in a crowd wanted to talk his ear off!
Perhaps Daddy did more building, but they did it together!
Then there was the first attempt at a launch...
This did not go to well. Nope. Nothing happened!
They were a little disappointed, but not deterred!
And before I could take a picture...We had liftoff!
Santa came, and we spent the morning with just our immediate family...Queitly...Perfectly...
We took our time and relished as the kids discovered their stockings.
They just played...ever so calmly...
And, when we felt up to it, we headed out-of-town for our peaceful dinner with our extended family.
It was nice to be where all of the stockings had been hung by the chimney with care...even uncle Kason's stocking!
We exchanged a few gifts.
Played a few of our favorite games.
Some of us played things that others might perceive as crazy, but to us they were slow...
I mean, we had to play slow when you are playing laser tag inside Gigi and K-Dan's house! (Please notice Uncle Justin hiding from G!)
The little ones played babies...
We made and decorated a birthday cake for Jesus...
And ended the day - as we do each and every Christmas - with a celebration in HIS honor...remembering how we have come to have this great day of peace and perfection!
And, as we fell asleep in our Gigi's arms, we remembered to say...
