a very merry howell christmas

Christmas Eve

We were so blessed and had the *easiest* and best Christmas Eve dinner ever. Steve got a free honey baked ham from someone at work. Oh my. Our whole meal took 15 minutes to prepare. It was delicious and amazing.

After dinner we had a family devotional with our Nativity magnets and the Christmas Train story by President Monson. Holy moly was that book a winner this year with Jaden. That boy loves all things trains.

We visited Mike and Connie for a few minutes and Connie sent us home with some carrots for Santa's reindeer. We left them outside on the porch and then came inside to leave Santa some cookies and milk.

Ugh, blurry!

Right after Jaden went to bed, we thought we heard Santa's jingle bells outside Jaden's window ;). Then we skyped with the Howells for their family devotional. Before we went to bed (like a couple of hours later) I checked on Jaden because he had the worst cough. Poor boy was awake and not feeling well, but he told me he had heard Santa's jingle bells! We decided to both hurry and go to bed so he could come! 

Later, this is what we saw that Santa had left. 

This is the third time we've had to wake up our child on Christmas morning! (He's had four Christmases because he was one day old on his first one :)). Maybe I'm just the kid at heart in this family, because I laid in bed awake for a half hour and finally made everyone get up at 7:30. But before we made it into the tree, we had to make sure the reindeer got their carrots...

and Santa got his milk and cookies! Jaden was a little bummed but a little excited that Santa left half a cookie, because that meant he could eat it before breakfast!

Stockings were first! Lightning McQueen bubble bath!

Finding all the presents with the name Jaden on them!

Jaden asked Santa for ONE thing for Christmas--a "James the red train." You know, Thomas' friend. It was hidden clear under the tree, but Santa delivered! And oh man, that train received some serious love.

Can I just say, this Christmas was SO fun with a three year old!

 And after Jaden opened all his presents, we realized Santa hadn't forgotten Mom and Dad.

This boy has stayed in so many hotel rooms, he thinks he needs one of those cool curved shower curtain rods. I don't know why I'm such a stinker, but I've never given in. Lucky for Steve, Santa is nicer than me :).

 The rest of the day was low key. We invited our friend Jamie over for brunch because her family was out of town and she had to work later that day. Then we were invited to a prime rib dinner at our friends Tom and Kim Hoffman's home. We made it back in time to skype my family while they opened their presents. 

It was a very merry Christmas indeed.

We are so blessed to have such amazing family and friends and most importantly, our Savior Jesus Christ.