Christmas 2016

Christmas began on December 22 when Grandma and Grandpa Daniels trekked down from Idaho to visit with us. They brought a huge present this year, kayaks! Our boys were thrilled. This year at Bear Lake, Stephanie brought two kid kayaks and all of the kids were hooked. They took turns paddling all over the lake, so Grandpa Daniels decided to buy kayaks for everyone. They were definitely a hit!

Dax's reaction is priceless!

The boys can't wait to use the kayaks!

Seth asked Grandpa Daniels for a drum set a few months ago. Well, he never forgot and he brought Seth his own drum set. Seth was so happy! He loves it! Who knows how long Mom and Dad will love it.

LOVES his drums!

Christmas Eve was a wonderful day. We made gingerbread houses and gingerbread men. We did puzzles and read books. We watched movies and played games. It was a nice relaxing day together as we prepared for Christmas.

We were excited for this new Christmas puzzle from Grandma.

Dax read books by the fireplace for a few hours. 

Lots of gingerbread cookies for Santa.

In the evening, we read and sang about the birth of Jesus Christ. And we opened our traditional Christmas Eve gift of new pajamas. We also took a little drive over to Loch Lomond to watch our favorite Christmas lights.

They are ready for Santa to come!

The boys were very good and they didn't wake us up until 6:30. We opened Santa presents and stockings, then had a yummy breakfast before getting ready for church. The boys all got remote controlled vehicles and they have loved driving or flying them all over the house.

They were so cute coming down the stairs. I had to take a picture.

Dax got a really fast remote controlled car. 

Seth also wanted a remote control car. This one has been just right for his driving skills!

Mark got a drone. He says it is the best present EVER!

He crashed a lot the first day, but he has definitely improved after a few days of practice.

Christmas fell on Sunday this year which meant we were able to go to church on Christmas. I loved that we could really focus on the Savior's birth by going to Sacrament meeting. The boys got to wear their new suits from Grandma & Grandpa.

After church, we had visitors. First, Laurie and her family came to see us. They were so generous with presents, and we were glad to see them. Seth was thrilled with the remote control helicopter he got from them, but he was the only one that could fly it. Later Grandpa Ockey came and opened presents with us. The boys were really excited for the games from Grandpa, too.

Seth LOVES this helicopter. 

A bunch of Ockey boys!

We just hung around together and didn't do much until dinner. Mom made Dax's turkey that he won at school and we did our traditional big Christmas Dinner. After dinner, Seth got a bit of a fever, so he and Mom watched movies while Dax and Mark played some of their new games.

We love getting out the fancy dishes for Christmas. We need more reasons to get them out.

The boys were great gift givers and receivers this year. They loved all of their gifts, but Mark said his favorite was his new drone although he is still learning to fly it without crashing. Dax said he loved his two remote controlled cars and his big Hershey's bar. Seth said he loved his helicopter and his drum set. All three boys said they were excited to get their own Camelbak water packs to take hiking. Seth even said he was ready for a hike today.

The Camelbaks were a hit. I hope it helps them love hiking even more, but I don't know if that's possible.

Mom's favorite part of Christmas is always the part we like to call Dax's Christmas. Every year Dax makes presents for everyone based on what they like and what he knows about them. It is so endearing and Dax is so thoughtful. This year he made tons of presents, most of which Mom had no idea about. Well, his little Christmas gift making rubbed off on Seth and he made a few gifts of his own this year. I hope it is a tradition that continues forever.

Seth saved up his money so he could Dad some new guitar picks.

Dax made me a new piano book. It's so adorable.

Dax made seth a Sherriff's badge because Seth loves policemen.

Dax made Randy a Yellowstone puzzle. It was a toughie!

Mark and Seth made Dax his own computer. 

It was a perfect Christmas!