Stockings, Presents & More....OH MY!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!!

First off, the stockings! Kevin and I have a tradition of going to the dollar store, wandering through the aisles together pointing out things we each would like, then splitting up and using our $10 limit for each other, picking things out to surprise the other person. It's always been a lot of fun. But now that Alexa's old enough to know what's going on at Christmas, we had to tweak things a bit...we still went to the dollar store...but we had to tell her that we were helping Santa out, that mommys and daddys pick some things out to help Santa, but that Santa is really in charge of the stockings. She didn't question it one bit! And she had a lot of fun helping daddy (and Santa) pick things out for Payton since we now had to split up two and two and I took Payton. So here we are opening our stockings. Alexa couldn't wait to check out her loot. I think her favorite thing was her Princess Toothpaste (see picture below!!). My favorite part was giving Kevin his GIANT toothbrush...fitting, don't ya think??!! :-) And Payton, well...she just enjoyed it all!!

Then there were the presents!

Alexa was sooooo excited for her Cinderella doll from her cousin, Ainsley!

We had a great Christmas morning. We love our girls so much and it was so fun to see their delight and wonder. We are so grateful for this time of year, for the birth of our Savior and the holiday season to focus more on Him and His life. We hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas!

Santa Came!!

Santa Claus didn't forget about us! He even ate the milk and cookies Alexa left out for him!

And look what Santa (with the help of Grams & Gramps Mortenson and Grams & Gramps Baker) left for Alexa this year! She LOVES it! I took a video of her reaction, or THOUGHT I did anyways, but it wasn't on my camera when I downloaded the pictures. I'm so sad!! Just know that she really does love it and I love it too!! And I'm sure it won't be long until Payton is loving it as well!

~Christmas Eve~

We have a tradition in my family to get new pajamas on Christmas Eve. It's one of my favorite memories and so I've carried it on in my own little family. Alexa was so mad at us the day we went to buy our Christmas Jammies because we wouldn't let her see them....they were a SURPRISE! So by the time Christmas Eve rolled around, she was pretty excited to finally see her jammies.

And then she helped Payton unwrap hers and Payton didn't really know what to think about this whole present thing!

MATCHING JAMMIES!!! I've been so excited to see them in these cutest jammies ever!

And here's Alexa showing off her new pj's!

Then we tried to get a family picture....this is one of several takes that didn't turn out but I thought this one was pretty funny!!

Here's the keeper!

Mortenson Family - Christmas Eve 2009!

Then we went to our friends, the West's, for a Christmas Eve Party. There was good food, great company and the wonderful Spirit of Christmas! They had all the children participate in the reading of the Nativity and Alexa got to be an angel.

Here's our little family by the West's beautiful Christmas tree.

Our photographer wanted to take an "artistic shot"!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Now it's time for Santa to come...

Randomness

Just some random pictures from this past week. Earlier last week, Alexa had a play date with her friend, Katherine P. Whenever they get together, these two LOVE to play dress up. It probably helps that Katherine has anything and everything you could ever want to play dress up with so Alexa is in HEAVEN!!!

Payton is really starting to interact with Alexa now. I love to see the two of them playing together!

Alexa was being really quiet one afternoon and this is what I found!! I love it. I hope she always loves to read as much as I do!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Oh so PRETTY!

My sweet, dear, generous friend Nancy sent the girls these beautiful dresses and sweaters for Christmas! I got the package earlier this week and couldn't wait for today to dress them up! And Alexa was so excited too. The day it came, she had to try the dress on to "see if it fits mom" and then proceeded to twirl around the living room in her "new ballerina dress". And she was equally excited to show Payton her matching dress. I sure hope these girls are always the best of friends!

Thanks again Nance! We love you!