Some Christmas fun, Kim Family style

Christmas came and went as fast as we thought it would. Rory was asking me yesterday how much longer until next Christmas, and to a kid that measures time by how many naps he has to take, 363 naps(at least) wasn't the answer he was looking for. Anyways, I tried explaining that it will be here quick to Mom and Dad, but to little kids, it takes a bit longer. He just looked at me with bewilderment in his eyes, and said "never mind, Mom," in a frustrated voice. Sorry bud.
This year I tried to teach Rory and Sydney that Christmas is not about the gifts you get, but the gifts you give.We were given several opportunities to serve this Christmas, and I made sure to involve the kids so they could experience the joy of giving.I know they had fun doing it, and I know it taught them to be thankful every day for all they have. Rory thinks that toys and treats are just something he gets no matter what, but I used some of the experiences we had to teach him that the things he has are things that other people sometimes don't have, like health, a warm home, good food to eat, a warm bed, clean clothes, a warm bath whenever he wants, and lots of toys and activities. I especially tried to remind him that not everyone has a loving family, and the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is something we teach our kids all throughout the year, but for some reason the Christmas Season always brings out the thankfulness in your heart better than other times. My goal this upcoming year is to teach Rory and Sydney the importance of serving others.
Anyways, since Christmas last from Thanksgiving night until New Years for us, we've had a lot of fun. Here's a few pictures:

making cookies(one of several times!)

                                                         Seeing lights at the temple...

                                                    Daddy finally went to Legoland with us!

   We've bought and Micah and Rory have drunk about 5 gallons of eggnog since Thanksgiving....

We looked at lights in a few different neighborhoods this year like usual, but came across this one that we got a laugh from:

 

                                              Christmas Eve, before heading out to Mema and Grandpa's:

                                                     Sydney and her cousin Kaydence:

 Christmas Jammie's with Rory, Kaydence, Sydney and Kaylin(Kaylin did not want to be there, apparently.):

                                                                All of the grand kids:

 Santa came for a quick visit, all of the kids but Rory cried in fear, and Rory knew it was Grandpa(I think his Harley Davidson slippers gave him away)...it was fun, though! :

                                                                  Typical Micah face...

After getting home on Christmas Eve, and stopping at the local taco shop to get Santa his carne asada burrito:

                 Root beer and burrito, Santa's preferred snack, and of course some stuff for the reindeer's:

 The loot:

 Christmas Morning!!

 This is just the stuff from Mema and Grandpa's house the previous night...we should have told Santa to keep flying when he stopped by our house:

 A toy store threw up in our family room:

 Oh yeah, don't forget the stockings!

 Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa Kim's:

                                                         Rory, Sydney and Madelynne(Syd got a big box of dress up clothes from Aunt Lucretia and Uncle Matt, she's wearing one of the hats):

                                 Family picture, of course Micah had to try that hat on too!

We had a wonderful Christmas Season, and are looking forward to the New Year. 2010 has brought us innumerable blessings from our Heavenly Father, it has really been a fantastic year. We know next year will only be better.