Christmas Day

I know all you fans out there have been wondering where I've been.  Well, life has been happening and part of life is having trouble with your computer.  Tim had to reload everything for me and for some reason we can't view any of the videos.  I really wanted to post some videos on here but it will just have to wait as life keeps going and I'm getting farther and farther behind.

So here goes:  Christmas day, if you remember was on Sunday.  We got up, looked at stockings, and went to Tara and Scott's ward to hear Tara sing in the choir.  Nothing better than listening to Christmas music on Christmas in church.  After church the kids were good about letting us take a few pictures - even though they were itching to get inside to open gifts.

Here we are.  It had been a long time since we've been able to be out in short sleeves on Christmas day.  My girls really missed the snow. 

The girls and their grandparents

(notice how they are hanging on to the girls so they don't run away to go inside and open gifts.)

Alexa excited about Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Livie happy about her new scripture case she was asking for.

Look at that face - Maya overjoyed for her new ice cream maker.

(We have enjoyed some yummy ice cream since then.)

McKenna and her pillow pet.

A night doesn't go by that she misses sleeping with it.

On to dinner - Tim made Cornish Game hens.  Look a those beauties.

Sad thing is, I was so good about taking a before picture that I forgot to take the after.  So just imagine - they were delicious.

My assignment - ROLLS!

(according to my family - the most important part of the meal)

Notice Tim's Mile High Apple pie on the stove.  Thanks to Suzanne Flake for the recipe.

Our holidays are so much better with that pie.

Since we were missing NC we thought we'd bring a little to CA. My sister, Maren always has a Christmas music night where the family takes turn performing.  I knew that this family had some skills and I wanted to experience it for myself.  (This is where the videos would come in - sigh!)

Noah played the sax.  I didn't even remember that he played and was so excited to hear him play.  He didn't disappoint.

Kirra has her mother's talent and good looks.  She did a great job (especially after I found out she had been teaching herself.)

Caleb played his electric guitar and I think he got the biggest applause.

I love how Liam is so focused on watching him.

Scott played too.  (See what I mean by all these skills?)

Julia played for us too.  (Don't you love her hat?  She got it for Christmas and I don't think I saw her without it the rest of the time we were there.)

Grumps enjoying the chaos.

Malia had just performed in The Nutcracker and showed us one of her dances.  I loved that she could do it in jeans also.

Like I said, I can't post my videos.  Tara played the bagpipes.  Yes, you read that right.  She plays the bagpipes.  She had been taking lessons and I had been wanting to hear her for a long time.  It was great and the kids all loved it too.  My girls sang "I Want a Hippo. for Christmas" and of course no video, yet.

Does McKenna look a little sugared up?

 I think these kids were enjoying the performances.  I hope that I remembered everyone.  I know it was 5 months ago and so I could have forgotten someone.  Sorry if I did.  After we sang some Christmas carols together.  A great ending to the night.  I hope we can make it a tradition.

The next day we let the grandparent's have some quiet after such a houseful.  We went and filled Tara and Scott's instead.  The cousins love playing together and I think enjoyed every second.  The kids went to the park, played the Wii and we got to sit around and visit.  Later we at pizza and tried out Maya's new ice cream maker.  It was outstanding.

Here are the cousins just before we were leaving.  Liam wasn't too thrilled about the picture taking.

All the parents.  Look how good we are aging!

Such a fun trip.  We can't wait to be back to spend time with them again in July!

So, I have to edit.  I can't believe that I forgot.  After we left CA we drove to my parents in Prescott.  Bart and Marie were there visiting my parents so we stayed with David and Roberta.  It was fun to see my nephew, Brenden.  He had just recently gotten home from his mission.  We spent the day at my parents but I was not feeling well at all (which is probably why there are no pictures.)  So we went back to Dave's and I slept until dinner.  Then we watched The Help (Which I ABSOLUTELY loved.)  The next day we left.  I finally started feeling better when we got home.  Kind of a bummer way to finish a vacation but it was nice to see my family and their growing kids.