our "small" christmas

We've said it before, but this year I was sure-- A small Christmas was all we could do. And this year I did not stress, I embraced it remembering how the kids really just need a few things to be happy, and then we can focus on other things.

And once again our Christmas was anything but small. My beginning Christmas budget was $35.00. I went out on Black Friday and found some amazing deals and ended up being "done" that day. A Barbie each for the big ones and about 20 other presents found in the dollar bins at a few different stores. Then I just had Carlie and Adam to buy for.

We had a few Secret Santas drop off some money that was used for a few more presents, and other things that came up. On Christmas day we had so many presents from family and friends that we had to take a break from opening presents! Carlie didn't finish until Sunday afternoon!

We got new jammies. . .

Tutus and wings from Ma. . .


Fruit puffs-- by far Carlie's favorite present. . .


Carlie had been pawing at presents for weeks and was so excited to finally get the go ahead. . .


And from Santa, a Barbie castle, the girls couldn't believe it, they kept saying "it's so big!"




We had a very friendly neighbor, some might call her an "elf" that had a Barbie castle just like this in her garage her daughter no longer played with. . .

Christmas Eve we went caroling with some friends and neighbors and had a wonderful time. We had a few surprised looks and lots of smiles. One house brought us cookies, another tracked us down in her car because her boys missed it! We tried to get a big group, but most people had plans. But it will definitely be a tradition, we had a fabulous time!

Our Christmas program at church couldn't have gone better. We had 32 singers in our ward choir, which is just unheard of! I was so proud of our group, they have been working hard and it was so well done. I slept a little easier that night!

One more piece of good news: I went to a discussion last night with some investigators, a family of 8, 6 are scheduled to be baptized (2 will not be old enough) on Jan. 23rd. We also have 2 others scheduled to be baptized in Jan and Feb. What a great spirit there was in that home, it was neat to be a part of.