Family photos

The time had come to take a big family picture since it had been 5 years since the last one and we have added new members to the clan. I convinced myself that I could take the pictures with a remote and a tripod. Well I found out that my remote didn't work from the distance that I needed it to, so I had to use the trusty run to my place technique. Here I am figuring out the whole thing.

But after I got it all figured out and my family was so patient with me and willing to let me practice my little hobby on them. The group shot turned out like this and I am totally happy!

And I got a shot with the prized grandchildren with Grandpa and Grandma.

And just the kids.  I'm biased but these kids are pure awesome.

And because we are who we are we had to try a cousin pyramid. 

And while the kids where trying to figure out their pose, someone was scheming how we could get all the adults to make our own human pyramid. Why should the kids have all the fun?

More Christmas

My parents came to visit the day after Christmas so the fun and the excitement continues. First on our list of to dos was to go to the science center.  We hadn't been for a few years, we had free tickets and we could meet up with cousins.  When we got there they had snow out on the front lawn that my kids were thrilled with but I think they were loved the fake snow machine that they had in the lobby. It was a bubble machine that just spit out suds that looked just like snow.

 We spent that night playing with my Christmas present form my parents. I made scarf and a pillow for Max. I had promised Max to make a pillow out of his favorite shirt for years. It finally got done and a great project  to try our my new gift.

Oh happy boy and happy mom. 

 The next day Max came down with some little stomach bug.  Thankfully it only lasted a few hours and so far no one else had picked it up.  We took the rest of the day easy.  Nana took Luke and Lilly to a movie, and the girls started to crochet.   

That night we stayed up playing new games that we got for Christmas.  I love when my parents come to town. I get so much joy from sharing my kids with them.  I'm so happy the fun will continue for a few more days before they have to go home.

A little Night Before Christmas & Christmas day

On Christmas Eve we usually have a dinner and program at our house.  This year I thought that my kids were old enough to be introduced to the white elephant gift exchange.  They were super great sports about it.  Lilly made an ornament to give. Max made a peanut butter sandwich and Kevin wrapped up an old TV that we had sitting around.   John was the first to open the TV.  Then Hannah traded it in the end. But some how the TV is still in our family room.  Well we will just have to save it for next year.

 We reenacted the Christmas story.  Amazing that no one fights Lilly to be Mary.

Since the kids are older we had some really lovely talent this year. My nieces all played their string instruments   Lilly sang Silent Night with me.

Then came time to open our new Christmas Jammies.   Excluding Max he was not happy that his pj bottoms didn't fit the way he wanted them to.

I'm pretty sure all my Christmas wishes came true this year. We did have a very merry Christmas indeed.  I was too excited and worried about Christmas that I was awake at 3 am. I always stress that it won't be the best Christmas ever. I have been blessed with remarkable children that were very grateful and happy about the whole day. Making me as a mother feel so wonderful.

The annual Christmas shot waiting at the top of the stairs.

Luke was so happy to have a penguin pillow pet.  He just squeezed and loved him right away.

Lilly was over the moon about her camera.  She just knew she was going to get it because that is what she asked for.

The surprise of the morning, Lilly opened the quilt.  She loved it! Again making mom feel like a rock-star.  She carried it with her the whole day. 

The boys were very happy with the tents that I made them.  They think they are so cool that they are having a sleepover in them in the loft tonight.  Awesome! That is what they were intended for.

And my Max so excited to see the Razor scooter with sparks that he had been hoping for.

He loves, loves, loves that is sparks.

Before Christmas

On the last day of school we had our mini Ginger bread house making party. Can I call it ginger bread when it is made out of gram crackers? The concept is the same, lots of candy and frosting and happy, sugar high kids.

Sunday was a good day.  It was a busy day for me.  The ward choir sang a program for sacrament meeting in which I sang the verses for Silent Night.  I have not been to choir for a long while so it was fun to practice again and sing.  I was happy with my performance but it makes me a tad sad that I don't sing like I used to.  Not often enough and not as well.  Perhaps that is something that I can work on in 2013.
My boys wore their ties to church on Sunday so that made me super happy and even better then that is they agreed to let me take a picture of them. This picture is for mom.

And this picture is normal of course, being silly like always.

And Lilly was not going to be left out.

My long time friend Julie has a tradition of letting her kids sleep under the Christmas tree lights on what I call Christmas Adam (That is the night before Christmas eve).  I loved the idea so we tried it this year.  My kids loved it. I don't think they will let me forget to do it next year.

It's CHRISTMAS Adam

Here is our official card. Friends far and near we love you and wish you are very merry Christmas.