Looking Back...

...on 2012!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this wonderful year!

{January}

{February}

{March}

{April}

{May}

{June}

{July}

{August}

{September}

{October}

{November}

{December}

Christmas Day

After some fun at home, we went to Grandma Great's house.  We began eating breakfast.

But, before we could finish, it was time to open gifts.  The youngest go first...so, Carter with a mouth full opened his gift.

I think he shoved everything on his plate into his mouth.  He must of been preparing for his SUPER long nap that he was planning on taking in a couple of hours.

Grace was so excited...it was princess something or another!

She was very confused about this princess.  She looked familiar, but who is she?  Oh, it's Rapunzel with short hair!

"It's for you.  Elmo wants to talk."

Next, we headed to our fourth Christmas at Mimi and Poppa's house.  Carter fell asleep in the car and he slept most of the day.  I caught these two digging around in the presents!  I know that this is a TON of gifts, but we have a TON of people!

Grace and Jenna were excited to see each other!

This picture cracks me up.  Grace and Lily had just received karaoke machines and Lily was super excited about it.  Grace didn't have a clue what it was, but she knew that she wanted it because Lily had the same thing.  Then, there is poor Jenna in the background.  She looks so pitiful!  (Sorry, Jenna!  I'm sure no one meant to leave you out.  You did get a super awesome dollhouse!)

John told Grace that it was an American Idol machine and that got her super pumped!  Oh boy...I'll never be able to watch hear American Idol again!

Tripp (and, well, the rest of us) were very confused why Brad's gift was wrapped in a Barbie tablecloth!?!  I still don't know why!

HEY!  Somebody (POPPA) is obsessed with Duck Dynasty, Jack.  HEY!  I hope his gift made him HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!

Apparently, we like to hold large objects over our heads.  Beth finally got a wedding pic printed.  This canvas is for her bedroom and I think she loves it!

Carter Man finally woke up (kinda) and joined in on the fun!

He was the last to open and Tripp and Lily were very into his gifts.

He loves his remote control car!

For the past two days, every gift that Tripp had seen Carter receive was some sort of Sesame Street toy.  Anyway, Carter and Tripp were arguing over Tripp's new plasma car and Tripp said, "NO, Carter Man!  It's not your's!  There's no Elmo on it!"  Ha!  So, Carter just hopped on the back...he's not going to be left out! 

All the kids were wheeling around on something.  They were very busy riding laps around the house.  Charlie couldn't find anything to ride so, he just pushed this can of popcorn around.  Funny!  Plus, it was convenient for all the other drivers.  As they passed him, they could just grab a little snack.

Then the kids sang "Happy Birthday, Jesus," blew out the candle, and ate some cake.

It was the perfect way to end our Christmas Day!

Christmas Morning

We woke up bright and early to the sound of the alarm clock.  Ugh!  We were all sleeping so good...finally!  But, we had places to go, people to see, and gifts to give.  We (including Super Grover 2.0) began our Christmas reading the story of our Savior's birth after Grace demanded, "Get the Bible!"

Carter with about 2 hours of sleep..."Cheeeessse!"

Grace and Carter Man checking out what Santa brought for them!  Grace was super excited and Carter had no idea what was going on!

Santa brought them both a plasma car.  They both jumped on the wrong one and started riding!

Carter got a soccer/hockey goal.  Although, I'm kinda thinking that this was really for John.

Grace was thrilled with the Strawberry Shortcake gum that she found in her stocking!

Santa brought Grace her trash can that she has already filled up (with trash).

Carter took his puppy for a ride.

Ohhh!  Ahhh!  Nice shades!

She is beautiful!

More princess dolls...thinking that the collection is complete.

"Oh!  So this is what I was supposed to be doing with these boxes.  All this time I was just building towers with them!"

Best.Gift.Ever.

Taking a little dance party break with our new headphones!

Since Grace LOVES playing restaurant,  I made her a restaurant kit.

I think she may have liked it.  She went straight to her room and started taking orders.

Next, we got dressed and went to celebrate Christmas with some more family!

Christmas Eve {part two}

When we got home from celebrating at Grandma and Grandpa's, we put on our Christmas jammies and took a "silly picture" in front of the tree.  I think that Carter and I need to work on our silly faces!  Although, I might start telling Carter to make silly faces in every picture...'cause that is one awesome smile!!!

We had my camera set up on the tripod and Carter wanted to see what it was like to be on the other side of the camera.  Grace and John think it is pretty funny that he's taking their picture...I apparently have no idea what's happening.

Everything has to be fair...so Grace needed a turn.

The boys...love them!!!

Next, we put out milk and cookies for Santa.  Carter kept saying, "Ho Ho's?"

I hope he's hungry.

We also threw some carrots out in the yard for the reindeer.  Grace was pretty excited about this.

"See Carter, you just throw them."

"Here.  Just throw it."

"No.  You're not supposed to eat it.  It's for Ho Ho's reindeer.  Nevermind.  Just eat it."

The kids went to bed.  John and I watched Elf.  We should of been sleeping too because Carter woke up around midnight and cried ALL night LONG!  I think I got about 2 hours of sleep.  Ugh!  I think I even bumped into Santa while I was going back and forth between my bed and Carter's room.