Merry Christmas

We had an awesome Christmas this year - the entire Williams clan was under one roof for Christmas for the first time in 5 years...

The last time everyone was home was the year Ryan & I got engaged.... (and Lindsey & Brady)

Holding true to tradition - Our little Kristin had something new and shiny on her finger this Christmas- we are all so excited to welcome Macky into the family. (They actually got engaged a few days before Thanksgiving.. but since we hadn't seen her since she got engaged... it was exciting for us)

So the house was full - Ari had a blast spending time with his aunts & uncle & uncle-to-be.

We all seemed to get exactly what we wanted for Christmas this year -

We thought we had learned a lesson from last year - and decided not to go "overboard" on presents for Ari this year - I think we did a decent job at that this year

For Christmas Ari received:

-Clothes ... (his least favorite present but hey I had to take advantage of my seasonal Macy's discount)

-Duplo blocks ( to add to the ones he got for his birthday) *** These were actually a birthday present from Ari's Sievert Cousins - but he was pretty overwhelmed by presents at birthday time so we just wrapped these up for Christmas, it's nice that he is still little enough that we can spread out his presents

-Dinosaur puppets from his far away puppy Berkelee

-Converse Chuck Taylor shoes just like his mom and dad from Santa

-books from Kristin and Nana& Papa

-these awesome cars from his cousin Cambren

-a Dodger's Ball and bat set from his soon to be uncle Macky ( I am already planning my pay back for that gift.... Ari + bat= DESTRUCTION

- the Tag Jr reading system and books (which has been such a hit with him) Thanks Nana & Papa and Oma & Opa

- A new BYU football jersey from his Kristin

AND - last but not least ..... the gift Ryan and I were the most excited/stressed about

We searched everywhere for the "perfect" tricycle. I read reviews online, we went to Target, Walmart and Toys'r'us... but once we spotted this one we just fell in love with it- It is so AWESOME - it's the original Radio Flyer Tricycle - with rubber tires and a bell (and the double step so Ari can take his lady friends for a ride....

Ari LOVES it (sadly he is a little to short for the peddles so we are working on getting some blocks so he can truly cruise in style

I do have really cute video of Ari on Christmas morning - coming down to see his tricycle for the first time - and I promise someday to get our videos on to our blog - (we got a replacement USB cord- now I just need to figure out how to use it)

Ari taking inventory of all his AWESOME gifts

Ari was so cute the day after Christmas - as soon as he woke up he ran down stairs and climbed on his trike again - it was like he was saying " it wasn't a dream... I really am the luckiest boy alive" and every morning since Christmas he has done the same thing..... love him

The Sunday after Christmas Nana, Kristin, Macky, Ari and I went up north to Paso to visit family up there. We had such a nice time visiting and got to see the elephant seals again and I was finally able to tour Hearst Castle. It was so amazing

It was a great holiday season and we miss everyone already .....