Erik's first Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! My family came all the way from New Mexico and we spent a week playing games, sightseeing, and eating more food than we ever knew we could hold. It was all so much fun! We took them to see the Waverly Plantation, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, and several other of our favorite sights around here. The best part was just spending time together. Erik thouroughly enjoyed all the attention and has been pretty lonely for all his new buddies now that they're gone. This picture totally captures what it looked like in my living room for most of the week. The boys played lots of computer, Nina and Erik did lots of cuddling, and the rest of us just sat around and talked.

Staying true to Mower family traditions, Erik got to open a present on Christmas Eve. Actually, he opened two, one from each set of grandparents. First he opened his Christmas pj's and a bed time story from Grandma and Grandpa Mower.

Erik was totally willing to model his new jammies for us all, especially since he got to stay awake a little longer to do so!

Grammy and Grandpa Richins gave Erik an awesome Fisher Price nativity scene, so now I can have my pretty ones and he can have his to play with.

Christmas morning started with everyone's favorite Richins family tradition, dragging Dad out of bed. He actually managed to get away pretty easy this year, we just made lots of threats and he crawled out of bed on his own. Not like previous years when we've all grabbed a limb and picked him up and plunked him on the floor.

It was really fun to watch the younger siblings opening their presents. I don't think they had any idea what was coming, but once they got those presents open, they were pretty darn excited, although atleast the older two tried pretty hard not to show that all they really wanted to do was scream and yell and jump up and down.

They all got brand new ipod touches. Heber spent some time hugging his, while Nina was kissing hers. Yes Nina, I saw you do it! Brigham did the best at hiding his excitement, but still couldn't help himself!

Not to be outdone by the kids, Dad had to go and supersize his Christmas present. He lucked out with an Ipad for his present.

Erik made a pretty good haul. He got toys and books and clothes and all kinds of fun stuff. I think his favorite is the little blue ball thing towards the left of the picure. He'll spend huge amounts of time trying to eat it up.

It was so much fun to spend Christmas with my family and we can't wait until we get to see them again!