Christmas In Burley

We spent Christmas in Burley this year with the Berg side of the family. We have spent Christmas there the last few years and the kids are always so happy to be with their cousins and other extended family members. We are all so blessed to be a part of the great Berg family.

 

We got to Burley a few days before Christmas. James took this time to become acquainted with the cute baby he found in the mirror. I think he thought the baby looked good enough to eat. I agree.

 

So impressed with himself.....as he should be.

 

Caleb found a true friend in his Aunt Alyson. They spent alot of time together while we were there and Caleb appreciated that there was someone meant just for him.

 

The night before Christmas the kids dressed up and acted out the nativity while Eric read from the scriptures. Everyone did a fantastic job but I won't share the long video I took with you because it would be cruel and usual punishment for those who did not participate. Caleb was our very reluctant Shepard. That was his face throughout the whole play. He didn't really want to be anything for the play but that staff was just too tempting a weapon.

 

Alli was our Mary. Isn't she lovely?

Rylan was one of the Three Kings. I think he also doubled as Joseph but I can't quite recall anymore. Side note, can you see what's on in the background? Watching A Christmas Story is another family Christmas tradition at the Berg home. I used to loathe the show but now I can't imagine Christmas without it. Weird what six years will do to you.

Drayke was another of the Three Kings. He was nice enough to pose with Alli although he obviously didn't want to. As you can see, Adam did not participate in the nativity nor did James. Adam didn't want to be anything that wasn't a transformer dressed in navy blue, and James wouldn't sit still long enough to participate in anything. Maybe next year we will get lucky and more Berg boys will feel like playing along.

 

On Christmas morning we had to struggle to get the two older boys up and going. Adam wanted to follow his morning routine and watch another Dora on the computer before everyone made a big deal about Christmas and, as usual, Adam's faithful Caleb was more than happy to do what Adam thought was best. Unfortunately for him, his cousins were not of the same opinion.

 

The beautiful Christmas tree before everyone attacked it.

 

Most of the presents the kids got this year were joint presents for everyone to share. One of the things we bought was an art station with a chalkboard, white board, and some attachment that you can slip a roll of paper into. Adam loved it right away.

 

You would be surprised at how long it took me to find that chalk. It must being a dying commodity.

 

Caleb enjoying his time at the chalkboard.

James got a cool activity table from Suzie for Christmas. He was enjoying opening it just a little too much and his brothers thought he was taking a little too long......

 

So they figured they would help him a bit.

 

I don't think James appreciated their help at all but he really enjoyed the toy.

 

Grandma Cheryl got each of the kids their own giant chocolate bar for Christmas. Caleb asked Alyson to help him open it when he didn't get an immediate response from me. He ate a ton of his own chocolate that day and made sure to steal a piece of everyone else's too. Little thief.

 

James loved his stocking stuffers but had a hard time getting them out by himself. Here he is giving it a go anyway.

 

We bought James a hammer for Christmas because, being a nine-month-old boy, he likes to hit things. Sadly, Caleb assumed the hammer was his and James hasn't really gotten to play with it very much. The trials of being a younger sibling.......

 

After he had eaten some chocolate Caleb felt up to opening a few more gifts.

 

Adam thought he would open a few more as well. Obviously he still had no idea what it was once he had torn the wrapping off the box.

 

Ta da! We bought the boys Socker Boppers for Christmas because, being boys in general, they like to hit things and I was sick of them hitting each other in play and then having to listen to the resulting crying when a blow landed too hard. I figured since the chances of them not hitting each other at all ever again were slim, they needed a tool that would enable them to have fun without tears. Gosh I'm such a smart mother.

 

James figured out right away what it was he was dealing with. He just couldn't figure out how to get his hand in there.

 

Caleb figured Grandpa Logan looked like a good first target.

 

Still trying to get his hand in it. I have faith that one day he will accomplish his goal.

 

Adam thought Aunt Jasie was the perfect playmate. I think Jasie was ok with it too.

 

Adam gave Caleb ideas....

 

We also bought them something to hit that was not a living being. We have since had to put it away because Adam mistakenly thinks that its best use is as a large object to throw at his brothers. Since it has a bunch of water in the bottom to keep it upright I had to nix that.

 

Caleb trying it all out at once. What a happy day.