Christmas Day...

Luckily for us, our kids are not super early risers on Christmas morning, so we finally headed downstairs at about 8:30am. I forgot to take a picture of all the presents spread out before the mayhem began.

Kendyl and Brityn started on their Santa pile and stockings first.

Grandma and Grandpa were Ryder's personal helpers unwrapping his gifts.

Ryder was easily distracted with all the new toys that he had a hard time getting all his presents opened. I think it took him most of the day to finish unwrapping all his stuff and he was still more interested in playing with everyone else's toys.

Brityn asked for a Glow Doodle this year from Santa and he delivered that and a new Leapster 2!

Sawyer enjoyed a nice Christmas nap while everyone opened gifts.

Kendyl asked Santa for a Nintendo DS this year, it even came in pink!

Sawyer got a new swing from Santa along with some toys in his stocking.

Here is Kendyl trying to get Ryder to open a present...again, he is distracted, this time with a very stale gingerbread cookie off the tree. We did try to feed him some breakfast.

Our family got Rockband 2 for the wii and it has been the most popular present this Christmas. The kids can't get enough of the drums and guitar and the girls can even play when we slow it down in the training session.

The kids spent the day in their pajamas playing with toys and games. It was a nice Christmas for everyone and we were glad Grandma and Grandpa were here to enjoy it with us.

Christmas Eve...

Our Christmas Eve started out with Aunt Nelda taking hand and foot casts of Sawyer. We are glad that she was in town when Sawyer came early so she could make the models for us.



Sawyer wasn't too happy about sticking his hands and feet in the alginate (the same stuff used for impressions in Steve's office) but we'll have models of his cute little hands and feet to remember how small and precious he is.

The girls were very interested in the whole process and wanted to see what was going on.

We enjoyed the day and had a nice dinner with Grandma and Grandpa and then let the kids open one gift for Christmas Eve.

This year they chose to open the gifts from Aunt Kaylene and Uncle Todd. Ryder knew what to do with the wrapping paper, but was easily distracted by everyone else's gifts.

Kendyl and Brityn each got blankets that Ryder quickly took from them. He couldn't understand that he didn't get one. He wasn't even interested in his toy.

Brityn and her blanket. Thank you Hunt family for the great gifts!

We did pause long enough to take a family picture with our Santa hats.

We took a few fun shots of Sawyer...look what Santa left in the stocking!

The cutest stocking stuffer ever!

And the best Christmas present under the tree!

Gingerbread house...

We spent our first family home evening with Sawyer constructing our gingerbread house.

I bought this kit from a different store this year and was quite disappointed to find out that I had to mix the frosting before we could decorate. Also missing was a tray with grooves to hold the walls in place, so the girls had to hold the walls up until the frosting hardened. :(

Ryder was quite happy about all the candy, not so happy when we didn't give him any to eat.

Sawyer was very accommodating by sleeping through it all. :)

The girls always have fun decorating the gingerbread house and are always disappointed when the candy runs out.

The finished product!

Our new bundle of joy!

Our baby new year decided to make his appearance early, apparently he wanted to be here for Christmas! He at least waited until Grandma and Grandpa Hardy got here on Saturday, the 19th, and then we were able to head for the hospital about half an hour later.


Sawyer Keawe Hardy was born at 8:07pm on Saturday, December 19, 2009. He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 21 inches long.


He is quite alert and keeps his eyes open to watch what is going on. So far, he has been a good eater and a decent sleeper.


Steve is a proud daddy again, although Sawyer's early arrival meant juggling a few days at the office.


The kids were all very excited to meet their new brother. Ryder can already say "Sawyer", which is something considering he doesn't say his own name.


Brityn walked into the hospital room with a huge grin looking for her baby brother. She loves to hold him and is constantly asking when it is her turn to hold him again.


Kendyl has been a good helper already, volunteering to help with Sawyer or anything we ask her to do.


I am very grateful Sawyer has arrived safe and healthy and that everything worked out even with his early arrival. He is a sweet baby and we love him so much already.


Ryder warmed up to "his" baby quite fast and has now proclaimed personal ownership over Sawyer. He has to have his turn as well, holding Sawyer and giving him love. We are thankful Sawyer is here to spend Christmas with our family. Merry Christmas!

Santa...

We had our ward Christmas party this last weekend and Santa showed up at the end!


The kids were excited to see Santa, at least until it was their turn to sit on his lap. Kendyl was a pro and hopped right up to talk to him.

No way was Brityn going to get too close. She kept a safe distance away the entire time, but did talk to him and smiled for the picture.

Ryder was crying and not letting go of Steve. Somehow I just don't think it will be much better next year.

In the end though, everyone was all smiles with their candy canes!

Sleeping under the tree...

One of our favorite Christmas traditions is sleeping under the Christmas tree. Once it is all decorated, we pick a night and leave the lights on and everyone sleeps by the tree.


The girls love getting out their sleeping bags and camping out by the tree.

This year Ryder was even MORE excited than they were about the sleeping bags!

He took over the girls' beds and made himself right at home. I think this boy needs his own sleeping bag for Christmas! :)

He was in heaven.

Brityn was not too happy that he commandeered her sleeping bag, but luckily for everyone, Ryder is still too little to sleep under the tree. No one would get any sleep.

Happiness is getting in your own sleeping bag without a little brother trying to shove you out!

Kendyl's awards...

Our second grader, Kendyl, had her first-trimester awards on Friday and was on the Principal's Honor Roll with straight A's and she also had Perfect Attendance! She is enjoying second grade and has even joined the Sign Language Club. We are so proud of you Kendyl, keep up the great work!

Gingerbread cookies...

We made gingerbread cookies for FHE on Monday. These go on the tree every year and the kids love making them.


Ryder was not about to be left out and was playing in the dough and cutting out cookies too!

The girls were pros at cutting out the cookies so mostly my job was rolling out the dough.

Ryder just couldn't resist tasting--Yuck!

I think next year they might be ready to roll out their own dough.

By the end, Ryder was covered from head to toe in flour, but he loved every minute of it! :)

We strung ribbon through the cookies and hung them on the tree last night. Ryder was so excited he was running back and forth getting more cookies to hang on the tree. He was insistent on eating a cookie, but they are now rock hard and I think have lost their appeal. I guess we'll see how many he pulls off the tree and tries to eat later. ;-)