CHRISTMAS DAY!!!-TAKE A PEEK AT ZULLA

WAITING ON THE STAIRS TO COME DOWN...
HE CAME!!!

LIVING ROOM TREE...

FAMILY ROOM...LOOK AT THAT BAG!!!

THOMAS WITH STOCKING

AYLEXIE

ASHLEY

YUM!!

(DIDN'T JEFF DO A GREAT JOB PICKING OUT MY PJ'S?!)

UNLOADING SANTA'S BAG

GIRLS DOING A "HAPPY DANCE"

GOOD OLD NANCY DREW :)

THOMAS WITH HIS TOYS

FINAL PRESENT-DOG BONES FROM ZULLA?

THE KIDS DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS VERY FUNNY...

WELCOME HOME...ZULLA

SNOWFALL ON CHRISTMAS MORNING. ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?

CHRISTMAS EVE PAJAMAS

Thomas was thrilled with his football pajamas!

Aylexie LOVED her pink pj's too!

Ashley loves blue-she was happy!

Mom needs to learn to pose better for the camera!

Jeff with his WSU shorts!

Awe...aren't they cute?!

I love Christmas Eve. I love the excitement it brings to know that Santa will be coming and we can finally share the gifts we are all so excited about!

When I was a little girl, my dad always made sure that everyone had a new pair of pajamas to sleep in on Christmas Eve. It helped a lot with the exploding energy of 5 kids who couldn't wait for Christmas! After I got married, I decided that this tradition must continue. As a mother, I've had a lot of time to reflect back and think about why I thought this tradition must continue.

We celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ every year. I guess it makes me feel special to know that I have something warm and new to sleep in. Think about it...when the Savior came into the world, he didn't have fancy things or a crown (even though he was the Messiah). His bed was a simple manger; he wore swadling clothes. I love the picture of Mary holding him. Many times when I have held my newborn babies in my arms, I often wonder what she must've thought...I am grateful to be able to give my children something new each Christmas Eve to wrap around their bodies to keep them warm. Just like the love our Savior gives to us-if we let him in...

CHRISTMAS EVE FEAST!!!

Ashley set the table and took pictures! We feasted on:

Prime Rib

Baked Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Orange Jello

Cranberry Ice Cubes/Diet 7-Up

Aren't you jealous?! It was DELICIOUS!!

MORE SNOW...

Shoveling snow off the driveway...

Brent & Jeff (Cooper too!)

This was what it looked like here on Christmas Eve...What a beautiful day! It's not very often that we get a "white christmas" here in Vancouver, WA!

We were a bit worried about getting our final Christmas gift. Needless to say, Jeff headed out with chains on to Troutdale to pick up our new puppy!

He was also kind enough to help our friends next door with his snow "O"-even though we're cougars! (sorry Brent & Jen!)

PEDIGO FAMILY FOOTBALL

This was our backyard before the game...

Jeff declared this snowday (Dec 21st) Pedigo Family Football day. He LOVES sports and poor guy-he's got 3 girls and a 5 yr old boy! We gave it our best shot and had a wonderful day! Jeff and I were on a team and the kids were left to defend themselves.

Thomas' friend, Michael, came to join in the fun. In the end, we were worn out, but Jeff and I won! We went for a walk in our neighborhood and came home and enjoyed hot chocolate! YUM!

THOMAS-PLAYING IN THE SNOW!!!

Thomas had SO much fun in the snow this year. I literally had to bribe him to come inside. Then, he would cry because his hands were FROZEN! He probably went up and down our driveway with the sleds 100 times! What fun!

CHRISTMAS TREATS!!!

We had so much fun making these goodie boxes for our friends this year! We were snowed in and I enjoyed my kids help making hand-dipped chocolates, almond roca, sugar cookies, pecan tarts and caramels. Unfortunately not everyone was able to receive these this year-because of the snow, we couldn't make it to everyone and also, Jeff used the rule that if you weren't home when we knocked, you got bumped! Sorry!