Christmas!!!

All break I would say can you believe it is only "blank" days until Christmas? and Laren would always say, no and add another day to my countdown. I had to remind him that in my family Christmas Eve is "Christmas." A lot of people think it is strange, but we have always done our big family Christmas on Christmas Eve, including Santa coming. We do stockings on Christmas day and always have a big Christmas dinner, but most of my siblings spend Christmas day with their in-laws, so it is much calmer and quieter! Unfortunately I was incredibly awful at taking pictures and so most of these are courtesy of my sister-in-law! 

We took our annual bowling trip and as always had a fantastic time! The boys got really into it and even played for Nativity Director. Laren won both rounds, but still had to be in the Nativity... Sorry hun!  

 My SIL took this picture and I love it! It brings so many happy feelings with all the wonderful memories of when everyone is home!

 The rule is that you have to be Mary and Joseph the first year you are married.. so here we are!

 The Angels. 

 Our Shepherds. Boy are these boys gonna give us a run for our money one of these days!! 

The whole gang!

Before the Chaos. 

Santa's here!! 

I wasn't thinking and didn't get any pictures of Laren and I with our new gifts so these after Christmas shots will have to do!

Laren got a new camera!! He has been wanting a new camera since I have known him and he has really gotten into photography the last year, so I knew that a new camera would be the perfect gift! My mom and I went in on it together and got him a Nikon D3100. He absolutely loves it and hates putting it down!! Getting him something special was the best part of my Christmas by far! I love giving gifts and it was so fun to see him be so excited about it! 

Laren also did really well and got me a sewing machine! Yay!! I am so excited about my new friend. I haven't been able to use it yet, but my goal is to start picking little projects and making something every couple of weekends. I am so excited to get better at sewing! 

Christmas day was nice and relaxing! We did stockings in the morning which is always fun. Church was an hour of pure christmas music and it was wonderful! Christmas Sunday is always my favorite because we get to spend the whole time singing songs about our savior. Laren and I sang a duet and my niece Hallie played her violin. After church we came home and had a wonderful nap ! Laren and I took Abigail for a drive and Laren got to play around on his new camera. All in all it was a wonderful Christmas. It was so great to be with family and to have our first Christmas together!