Christmas 2011│The Report.

I'm happy to report that we had another successful Christmas at the Jensen household.  

It was a low-key Christmas.  

No traveling this year.  

We enjoyed unusual warm weather for this time of year and 

we were grateful to celebrate the birth of our Savior. 

On Christmas Eve afternoon, I introduced the Sound of Music to my children.  

They watch almost the whole thing and were singing along.  

I love that movie.

On Christmas Eve, we read from Luke 2. 

"And it came to pass that in those days..."

I was the narrator. 

Brielle was Mary.

Braden was Joseph.

Kem was the donkey.

Brooke was Jesus.

Scott was one of the Wise Men.  

Knock, knock...there was no room in the inn.  

I always get emotional thinking about poor Mary with child and Joseph trying to find a place for his wife to give birth. 

But, Jesus was born anyway.  

What a wonderful and simple story.  

and it is true...it really happened. 

I try so hard to not forget and remind our family that, that is the REAL reason for Christmas.  

Brielle and Braden got to open one present on Christmas Eve. 

We had hot chocolate and panetón! 

I have to keep alive our Peruvian tradition.  

I ate way too much panetón this holiday season.  

I ate 3...or 4? 

It seems like Christmas morning was over all too quickly.  

We were beyond blessed. 

Santa was good to us.

Brielle got her much awaited Justin Bieber doll.

I gave in. 

(Blame Scott)

Brielle and Braden 'helped' Brooke with her presents...but Brooke thought Irish Spring soap was just the perfect toy for her!:)

We skyped with Scott's family in Idaho.  They watched us all open presents.  

It was fun that we were able to share our Christmas morning with them.

Then we had a yummy breakfast.  

The French toast was delicious.

After Church, they got out the 'big' present, a set of legos, and they built and built and built.

Our dear friends, the Lacey's had a bunch of us over for Christmas dinner.  It was delicious and enjoyed the company.  No pictures...:( 

When we got back from dinner, Scott and Braden were up until 11pm. finishing the lego set.

Braden is amazing at following instructions and is so good with his hands and finding all the little pieces. 

Scott LOVED spending that 'boy time' with him.

As Brielle put it, "this was the BEST Christmas EVER!" 

(Hopefully, she feels that way about every Christmas!)

I'm glad we were able to make it magical for them!:)