THE BASTINGS BUZZ: Christmas Time

It is always fun to take the kids to see Santa.

Austin asked Santa for an op-gun and some Oklahoma State stuff. I thought for sure Austin would be more suspicious this year about Santa. In fact on Christmas Eve he discovered the new trampoline in our backyard but was content with the explanation that Santa must have needed to drop it off early so he could fit other presents in the sled. Then later that night he was playing in his room and discovered the cabinet full of presents I thought I had hid so well. He comes out and exclaimed "Mom! I know where all the presents are!" I thought for sure at this point that Santa was toast but once again he eager to accept the explanation that those were the presents from Mom and Dad.

Mikayla asked Santa for a trampoline and for some Frozen toys.

And Brooklyn stayed on Santa's lap for about 2 seconds--just long enough to snap a picture.

Austin proudly added an OSU ornament to the Christmas Tree this year.

And Mikayla was thrilled about adding the Sofia The First ornament.

We had some friends over one afternoon to decorate gingerbread houses.

And even though Vicki and Dennis are on a mission in Canada, the Bastings family decided to continue her tradition and make goodie plates and take them around to her neighbors.

This is always a fun family activity and helps bring in the true Christmas Spirit.

Christmas Eve the kids opened up their new pajamas.

We made a goodie plate and notes for Santa and then the kids went to bed.

I was actually very prepared for Christmas this year and was done wrapping by 9:30pm but Austin had a hard time falling asleep. I'm not sure if it was because he was so excited or getting suspicious after discovering some of the surprises earlier that day. He didn't fall asleep till after 11:00pm so it ended up being a late night after all.

The Christmas tree looks so pretty when the presents get all placed.

The kids were pretty happy about their gifts. Austin got his op-gun he had been wanting for weeks.

Even Brooklyn had a fun time opening gifts this year.

And Mikayla enjoyed singing with her Frozen Karaoke machine Christmas morning.

We spend lots of time with family over the Christmas holiday. We spent lots of time with the Bastings family playing games and hanging out. One evening while most of the adults went to see the new Hobbit movie, all the cousins came over to our house to play and watch a movie of their own.

We also spent a lot of time with the Reid family. Every one from my family was able to make it into town this year so that was fun. It was the first time we had all been together for about 3 years.