Christmas Not Forgotten

I hate that I haven't posted in so long. I can assure you I have not forgotten, it's just been so incredibley busy around here!  I guess I can just think of it as having so much fun, I haven't had the time to post!  Even though things were busy, I think we all had a really nice time this holiday.
 Abuela and Abuelo flew in for Christmas, and we loved spending time with them. Dan and I were able to escape a few times to do some Christmas shopping, and go on a date and that was really nice.  The kids were spoiled rotten with presents, and were very happy about that, and we got to go to church on Christmas morning and really feel the spirit there. I'd say it was just about perfect. Logan prayed the night before Christmas for snow and was a little disapointed, but we assured him that there must have been a reason for it.  I loved all of the cards and well wishes we recieved this year. Everyone just seemed friendlier than usual, and I loved it!  I will go ahead and post a lot of pics right now and catch up that way, and then hopefully, I'll will be posting at least once a week again. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

These first pictures were from our pathetic attempt at gingerbread houses. Once again I tried to glue the crackers together with melted sugar once again, they looked like haunted houses. :)  Next year we will use frosting instead, that's for sure.

Looks like we are about done here!

  

Despite my failings at fastening them together, they still turned out alright huh?

Lin and Logan's school Christmas sing-a-long.

After Logan's class sang, we were waiting for him and the kids found this little bench. It was too cute not to take a picture!

Owen's pirate injury. He was lucky he didn't poke an eye out!

Sweet Ellie.

The ole "foot in the face".

A few pretty Christmas shots of Ellie

Playing around at home.

Christmas Eve.

Our yearly ritual...Polar Express...

...opening the last advent door, and reading the Christmas story...

...putting out the goods for santa!

Christmas Morning!

Anxious to go downstairs

Traditional morning breakfast

Oh, and this little guy re-named 'Echo' this year, said his fairwells and was gone Christmas morning. The kids were all very sad Christmas Eve and all took turns telling him goodbye. He was sweet enough to leave them a note!

Christmas PJ's from Grandma Braithwaite!

Dec. 26th was Abuelo's 50th birthday!

Oh, and a few shots from our ward Christmas party the week before where santa visited!