December 25, 2009

Christmas 2009

This year was a little different because Larry had to work on Christmas. He left Christmas Eve morning and was gone for 4 days. We let the kids open one gift before he left and I did take pictures but I can't find them anywhere (I must have deleted them). We were all so sad to say goodbye and I don't think it's ever been harder for him to leave.

Christmas Eve night we put out our luminaries. For as long as I can remember (at least 20 years) this neighborhood has done luminaries on Christmas Eve. The Youth in the Wards distribute them to all the houses earlier in the week and then each house puts them out and lights them on Christmas Eve night. It is so neat to drive through the neighborhood and see it all lit up.


Then we decided that since dad was gone we would go stay the night at Grandmas house and leave a note for Santa under the tree and tell him where to find us. Well, it was a great idea but it made mom's job a bit harder. I had to run home 3 times to get things (gifts, stockings) that I forgot (good thing we just live around the corner) and when my kids woke up at 5 am I had to get up and keep them quiet until grandma and the cousins woke up closer to 7. I think next year we'll stay home! But, of course, Santa was very good to everyone.

Nate & Jake got Nintendo DS's, Madden 1o for the Wii, Cardinals Jersey's, remote control helicopters and a Red Ryder BB Gun (hope they don't shoot their eye out)!



Haley got boots, a purse, and stuff for her room.


Jaxson got a guitar, a dinosaur adventureland, legos, puzzles, and a stuffed Clifford dog.


After we were done opening Santa's gifts we headed over to Grandpa Willie and Grandma Darlene's house to open gifts and eat Darlene's traditional YUMMY Christmas breakfast. The kids were all anxious for their gifts but they patiently waited while Grandpa passed them out.

Then when it was grandpa's turn to open his gifts he let the grandkids help.


Then it was back to grandma Patti's house to open her gifts. I was tired of taking pictures at this point so I've got nothing.

We then had a few hours until dinner at my sisters so we hung out at home and the kids played with their gifts. I love what Christmas does to your house. It looks like a tornado came through here.

And poor Jaxson was exhausted. I had a hard time waking him up for dinner. Crazy kid won't ever sleep somewhere normal!

It was another great Christmas but we missed dad terribly and hopefully he'll never have to miss another Christmas again (in our dreams)!

December 22, 2009

Orchestra Concerts

We attended two orchestra concerts last week. The first was Nate's. He started playing the Cello this year and really likes it. This was his very first concert and he did great.

Then over to Haley's. I never get good concert pictures (too dark and too far away) so here is her professional one. I'm so glad she has continued to play (with a little prodding from me) through Jr. High. She is getting really good and has started playing outside of school. She played a special number for Young Women in Excellence and played with the ward choir for the Christmas program.

December 12, 2009

Meagan's Baby Shower

My baby sister is having her first baby and we threw her a baby shower. We did a Dr. Suess theme and it turned out so cute. I take no credit for the decorations, it was all Jill's doing. All I did was donate a few books and bring the blue easter grass (for water) and the Swedish Fish.

I did make this sign. It's the first wood project I've done in years. I had to dust off the saw and dig out the old paints for it.

Some of these pink puffs were edible. They were red velvet cake pops. Very Yummy!


I loved the green deviled eggs, they were tasty!


All the sisters went in and gave her this rocker.

My step-mom, Darlene, made this super cute diaper cake.

And here's the most important part of the shower, the mom-to-be!

All my sisters that were at the shower. It's missing a few of us. There are so many of us I don't think we'll ever get one of everyone.