Christmas Day

Teens are a little hard to please, unless there is a giant budget involved and even then they don't seem pleased. N. is different. I worry he will be sad to see that his choice to Snowboard this season left his present pile a lot smaller than the other kids'. The great thing is how happy video games, legos, and small electronics make him. He LOVES his new ability to hear over the piano and other noise while playing online games with friends. 

 T. man is also Loving his simple but perfectly suited new things! Uncle Scott returned recently from the Himalayas where he made some first ascents on some big scary mountains. He brought back some awesome souvenirs like the cool hat he gave to T. Even better were the real carabiners that had been on those ascents. Wow. He won't stop trying to hook himself to things!

 S. is so happy to have an"'Merican girl doll". She's young enough to feel content with the beautiful Target version, and since she doesn't even know how to correctly say American girl I think she will stay happy with her for years to come. She says her doll is named Holly because she is from Hollywood. Not maybe because she is a Holiday doll or anything sweet and innocent that mom suggested.

I love seeing D. help the kids put their new things together. Sometimes in frustration(remember that marble run? Oh boy!), but now days mostly as a companion. The kids are all skilled enough to do the lego sets on their own. Somehow I didn't think that day would actually come.

 Im loosing track of exactly how many Christmas days' we have celebrated together(17?18?) but grateful for them none the less!

Christmas morning.

6:30am. Not so bad. I thought they'd wake us before that. We really must have worn them out.

Harley was banished to the kitchen to keep her from causing any issues with new gifts. The kids thought she needed a little something, even if she wasn't invited to the occasion. Giant rawhide. Great for her enjoyment. Gross to find in the yard come springtime.

 After some initial gift opening and ready for More! Mom isn't fully awake though, how about a nap first?!

 T. man. Excited!

 N. and his ginormous hands, ready to rip open wrapping.

 Z. posing beautifully with her stash.

 S. can't believe she is the smallest but she got the biggest packages!

Christmas Eve finally came

The kids and Gma. A. with their new P.J.'s. Its a fun, cozy tradition.

 Then off to Merrills' to wear out the kids. Their favorite guy to kiss and play with and also to fight for sole attention for, cousin P. He's a good sport about it! And so cute!

 Playing the traditional left-right passing the white elephant game. I think everyone laughed most of the time!

 T. especially loved it and the exciting white elephants inside!

 Later the kids got to open their gift from Grandparents. S. loves her pretty wallhanging, with her special song lyrics attached.

 T. is just plain old excited, no matter what the gift!

 Z. finally got the real sewing machine she has been wanting for years and years. And its cute!

 N. modeling his new Minecraft elements hoodie. One of a kind. The kid and the hoodie.

 T. got a Rubics cube as his white elephant and didn't set it down all night. It was a Christmas hi-light for him. I think since this dollar store version is now broken(don't try taking them apart to see how they work) we might try the real version next.

It was a special night filled with loving family and enough gifts to quench the anxiety of Christmas morning. Just long enough to sleep several hours before enjoying Christmas itself. We are so grateful to live near so many family members that share their lives with us. It is a blessing I never get over!

Winter Break stuffs

The kids think that sledding is great fun. This December was a weird one though. It snowed but instantly got cold. Too cold. For me at least. I couldn't even make a snowman until January when the air temps were warm enough and new snow came along. There are a few fun hills in the neighborhood. This one is the younger kids school. 

 They call it sledding but what they mostly do is snowboard. 

 3 hats and I am still Freezing!! 

 What did Daddy do over the break? Ceramics mostly. The studio was too cold so I guess the bedroom and kitchen are the next best thing. For him, not for me. I prefer to eat and sleep without clay.

 S. complained that she hates my "Disco Bomb" tree.What!? I guess she is talking about the disco ball shaped silver garland. Too Bad. I like it. It stays!

 S. is so cute to take sledding, at first. Then because she is hot she takes off her gloves. Every time. Then she gets too cold and starts WAILING that her hands hurt. I wonder when she will finally learn? Hope its soon. It makes me so sad for her. And hurts my ears. 

This is the kids more favorite spot to sled. A nearby Jr. high.  I found T. man and the older kids on a steep hill that should be safe enough. Last year I admit I sent S. nearly to her death on the same hill. To be safe I kept her away this year. When I went to see the bigger kids I also saw that the landing at the bottom of this fun steep slope and jump wasn't covered with snow anymore. It was a little snow, a lot of ice and concrete. Out of safety I ordered them off. T. was so mad he wouldn't let me take his picture. Mean MOM.

 Z. and her friend were kind enough to stop for a picture. It was Soooo cold!

 N. is having a blast again this year at Sundance ski resort. Snowboarding. But when we sled this hill he sticks with a sled. Its a lot easier to hike back up that way!

Parties all month!

 Party at the Old Folks Home, er.. um.. I mean, Care Center.

The kids knew they could see Santa at the end of the singing program so they were especially good. 

 Finally got to see the Jolly Old Guy in person. He had a gift just for Great Grandma and candy canes for the kids.

 Helping G.Gma open her gift back in the quiet of her room.

 More Parties!! T. and his class earned an extra special Holiday Party at school. They got to wear their P.J.s all day and watch a movie with their own pillows. He was so excited to match teacher in her Superman P.J.s.

 And more Parties!!! This time it was the Porcaro Family party. Lots of food and lots of noise!
Grandpa must have though the church he reserved didn't have enough bathrooms so he made his own. Oh, and placed it on one of the food tables of course! N. and G.Gpa seem to have the same sense of humor!

 I noticed some similarities between this years celebration and last. Here is Z. this year:

 and last: ( she does make an adorable lamb)

Cousin T. this year: (I love this pict. of him as a shepherd looking to the heavens to ? see the angel. I like to pretend he isn't looking up at the basketball hoop, dreaming of a slam dunk)

 and last:

N. this year:

and last:

The White Elephant Gift Exchange is the part of the evening most looked forward to for our family. I love the cousins and their parents and their humor. Some people leave in tears but I always leave with sore abs from laughing!

Our attempt at keeping the tears to a minimum. Letting the teens and tweens have a food exchange before the white elephant chaos.

The youngest kids had an exchange as well. S. was home sick with daddy so Z. stood in her place. I think it all went well?

How we start off the Christmas season

Well, at least this year.......

Red and Green toe nails for Daddy! Thanks to our polish expert Z. and a very tolerant Daddy. I can't help but giggle a little seeing his manly feet with polka dot nails!

 Dipped snowmen for the friends. Z. was so excited to find something on Pinterest she could plan, shop for and create all on her own to give away.

 "Dad" becomes Santa. I forgot to get a pict. with the white beard!

 Invite in the dog to join in the fun. Actually it was such a cold December and her underbody is so bald she would have frozen to death in the garage. I will try to not complain about the hot pad I bought specifically for her giant butt to lay on, out side, that she is afraid of. At least its in perfect condition for whoever has a dog that will actually use it.

Holiday goings on

Live Nativity in below negative temps. 

 It was really cool to see "Wise Men" and other Bible characters.

 Also saw a little of what life was like at the time of Christs' birth.

 Its a popular place even when its so cold you can't feel your arms.

 Thanks to the Great Grandparents who got our tickets and the other family members who joined in and made it a wonderful new tradition. What a perfect way to kick off the Christmas season seeing a live version of the Nativity!