Christmas Eve

Everyone was so excited to be all together for Christmas Eve dinner and the annual program. Each year it is a little different but we always re-enact the Nativity and this year we added in Samuel the Lamanite and some unbelievers.  Sometimes we share favorite stories, this year we shared some talents. 

The pre-dinner lego shoot out.

Ry was taking care of the gravy.

The older cousins table.  There were 5 tables set for dinner.  

A king, an angel, and a shepherd.

We even had animals for the kings to ride in on.

Music time with Aunt Robyn.

Sarah the soloist.  During the program she asked if she could sing one of her choir numbers. She was a little nervous but did a great job. 

  

The oldest cousins.

Intermission- wrestling with Shepard, Michael, Andrew, Joey, Jack and Ryder.

Levi and the bagpipes... very impressive.  We asked for an encore.

Cousin gift exchange.  This year we decided to exchange books.  They were all so excited about the books they received.  

Christmas jammies.

23 cousins make for one happy nativity scene.  We are so grateful for times that bring us together to remind us of the most important things in our lives.

Christmas Day with the Smyths

We decided to spend Christmas at Ryan's parents instead of driving back to our house after the Christmas Eve festivities (those ended at 11:00 pm).  Late night, not too early morning.  The kids were worn out and did not wake up until 8 a.m. They had to check the Norad Santa tracker to see where Santa was and if he had finished his job.  He was done.  They were all so excited.

  

The tradition of lining up in the hall before going out to see the stockings and presents. Camera and video camera all ready to go to capture those first moments.  

When they first walked in they checked out the bikes and they were excited but, yes, there is a but, Jack started to look a little concerned and blurts out, "Where are my Star Wars Legos?  I asked Santa for Star Wars Legos!"  We all could barely contain ourselves.  I was laughing so hard.  

Sarah was excited to get her new favorite game.  She was so happy that Santa received her letter and he got her what she wanted.

Yeah! in a deep tone was Jack's response to his Star Wars Legos.

It is so special to be able to spend Christmas with family.  I think that is what I love most about the Christmas season.  

Awesome Bike Riders!  We did have a couple tumbles but they both just brushed it off and hopped back on there bikes and kept going.

Sarah was excited to get another bike that will last her for a while.  She learned how to shift gears.

Christmas dinner was at the Lambourne's and the kids got to jacuzzi after dinner.

Tools and Skateboards

Sunday afternoons are always a little stressful in our house.  We leave church at 2:00 and then its a rush to get the kids fed because they are starving.  Ryan and I decided to let our kids ride bikes on the court to get their energy out.  So, Ryan went to check on the boys and Sarah, and he saw two little legs sticking out from under the Expedition.  Ryan said "Hey," and Ryder rolled himself out from under the car, lying with his back on the skateboard, and responded, "there's a part and were fixing!", and calmly rolled himself back under.  How did he figure to use the skateboard???  Ryan is rarely under our cars and never on a skateboard.  The boys love tools.

December Weekends

December weekends can be lots of fun.  We had a church Christmas dinner and the boys were shepherds and Sarah was an angel.  Saturday, Sarah was in a parade in our town and her choir sang.  Then immediately following, we sped off to Sacramento for lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Smyth and some of our cousins and a visit with Santa.  After lunch we played and helped at the Smyth's house.  Ryan makes sure the Christmas lights are straight and working for his parents so they don't have to be climbing ladders in and around bushes.  Also, he helped unload a gun safe and put it in the house.  It was sooo... heavy.  (The boys found a "shoot gun" in one of grandpa's closets, that he uses for ducks, now every time we go they want to see it.  So they bought a safe to keep it out of the boys hands.  Out of 20 other grandkids, it would be mine who find it.  I love my little explorers.  We had a great weekend!

Handsome parade watchers.  The belly dancers balancing swords were eye catching.

The Harmonizers.  It was the first time Sarah has been in a parade and it was a blast!  

A visit with Santa is always special and the kids all get a gift from him.  Sarah was sure she was getting a dvd like in years past but, this year she received The Tale of Despereaux.  We are having fun reading it together.

It is always hard for the kids to pause for a minute from playing to take a family picture.  Their faces have the hurray up smile.  Can you see their balloon swords?  Had to have those in the picture.  

My handsome husband.  

Can you spy Ryder and Jack?

They found the best hiding spot in grandma and grandpa's hedge.

Sarah climbing in the Magnolia just like her Dad did when he was her age.

Under-doggie!

Grandma and Grandpa gave Sarah an American Girl doll for her birthday.  She loves it.

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to our strong, adventurous, smart Sarah!  Sarah is seven.  She let me know that seven does not feel that different from six.  Maybe it would take a few days for her to feel older.  

Thanksgiving Break

Running horse and Running bear had a little feast at their preschool and Grandma and Grandpa Smyth made a suprise visit!  Then they said goodbye while we went to Oregon for a couple weeks.

For about a month the boys asked when we were going to Oregon for Thanksgiving.  The day finally arrived and they were all very excited.  We had a wonderful visit with our family.

Are the drums my instrument?  Sarah's quarterly drum lesson with Uncle Spencer.  He plays the guitar and she drums along.  

One of the fun things about sleeping on an aerobed is that you get blown away when you deflate the thing.  

Tool time with Grandpa Doug.  He made the kids a little work bench to drill and nail into. They would go and start drilling as soon as they woke up.  Real tools are better than the plastic ones!!! (I have to admit the nail gun made me a little concerned!)

Making stuffing with Grandma Leslie.

Ryder was feeling so strong. . . he could even lift Uncle Jason's leg.

Dress up from the trunk.  The wigs are always a favorite.  Especially the new Michael Jackson wig.

Playstation, Xbox and games with cousins.

I don't want to go home until 2010.  That's what Sarah told me the day before we left.  Why 2010?  Just because!

We had a great visit.  We feel so very blessed to have such a wonderful family.  Thanks Mom and Dad!