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)!