ChRiStMaS!

Just like most Christmas morning in my life I am the first one up...waiting. But I don't mind. I love sitting quietly by myself with a beautifully lit Christmas tree. 

Justin reading the letter Santa left them...and it was a good one.

Jessicas surprised face when she came out. And Caleb not excited yet.

Getting into stockings

They all got new scooters from Papa & Nana

Justin quickly hid away in his room to build everything he possibly good with all his new Legos

Jessa trying out my new headphones which I love. And putting her cheer costume to good use. She even has Chad and me stunt with her.

It was chilly but Jessa was willing to give it a try. Caleb was napping and Justin wasn't 100% better yet after his surgery. But Papa and Nana were troopers to go out with her. 

2012 was a wonderful Christmas. I love the season. The music, the activities, the treats, the tree, the giving, and the peace we feel as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Pre-Christmas happenings

Snowflake has the 12 days of Christmas with a community activity every night for the first 12 days in December. This night was hundreds of luminaries up and down frontier street which is in front of the temple. They had carolers, hot chocolate, cookies hay rides and of course Santa. Caleb was not interested in seeing Santa this time around.

 Who doesn't love a Christmas lighted old fire truck

 Ward party. Who knows where the 2 year old is. And why am I still packing around my 4 1/2 yr old. Sheesh!

My kids don't get super excited about sitting on Santas lap. I think they think it is weird. Rightfully so. But they were good and gave smiles for the camera. Except for Caleb, who did not cry, but pretended with all his might that Santa was not there behind him.     

 Jessa was Mary in her Joy School program this year. She did great and they are always so fun to watch. They naturally want to gather around baby Jesus in stead of facing their parents.

 Justins first grade program went great too. He had the very last speaking part telling us thank you for coming and have a Merry Christmas.

 Papa and Nana made it just in time. It was a fun surprise for Justin. (Look at all the other kids...you can tell they are think you in the world is this man)

 This is my favorite Scussel family tradition. December 23rd sleeping by the tree.

 Christmas Eve the kids dressed up and acted out the nativity. I loved it. I hope they will do it for a few more years and not grow out of it too fast.

First Surgery

Half way through the year and Justin brings home this awesome certificate. He has read all of the A.R. books needed to pass the first grade. *Update. We got report cards yesterday (1/10/13) and required to go on to second grade is reading level 14 with 95% accuracy. Justin is currently at reading level 23 with 100% accuracy.

So Justin got his tonsils out on December 19th. He was a little hesitant and didn't really want to be there. But when he was asked to get completely undressed (including chonies) that was the deal breaker. This sad little picture was right after the underwear removal.

I had printed out some Christmas pages and made a little activity book for him while we waited. That helped a little.

Now he is better. This was right before they wheeled him in and he was not scared at all. Such a trooper. See the pillowcase? The nurse gave that to him to take home. He loved it.

Me suiting up to go in with him. I just stayed until they put him to sleep then I had to go.

Chad and I waiting. Today was also our 10th anniversary. So glad that no matter where we were that we got to be together.

They had warned me that kids coming out of anesthesia sometime cry a lot and are confused, not themselves and hard to comfort. This little man opened his eyes and never said a word. They did bring him the wrong Dad at first so he was happy when I came back into the recovery room with him.  He ate a popsicle right away. As soon as he got wheeled back into our room I slipped his underwear on for him (complete comfort). He did have some sort of reaction to something for about half hr. His face and neck got really red so we had to stay an extra hour or so. But once they gave us the clear to go home he was dressed and ready in no time.

Nothing like hot chocolate in a lavender bath to help the healing process.

And about 2 days after surgery I found him eating a candy bar.

Justin did so great! It hurt so bad to swallow but he knew that'swhat needed to be done (a little chat with Nurse Aunt Riki helped a lot). The hardest part was his ears. I learned that the same nerve that is by your tonsils runs up to your ears. So he would get shooting ear pain. Mostly at night. We had a wonderful back-up plan but it just so happened that Chads parents were here for Christmas. We had to leave by 5:45 AM and it was nice to just let the other kids sleep.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see him, brought get well gifts or sent them by mail (Kelly Martin, Nina, Marcie, Angie and Bryson, Sister Weigle and Sister Griggs, Grandad & Grandma Karen,  Papa and Nana Mrs. Taylor and the Robles family) . He is so loved!