Holiday Season 2011

We had a wonderful holiday season, as apparent to my non-blogging. Here's a quick recap...

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving was spent in Oregon (thanks to some very helpful family members) and was a wonderful vacation. We were able to eat tons of yummy food, go shopping and even spend a day swimming. No snow made for perfect travel as well.

PRE-CHRISTMAS EXCITEMENT

We came back ready to begin our Christmas season with our local light parade that sadly lasted all of 5 minutes. One positive thing - we were able to take home still warm children.

We also made it to the festival of trees this year. Chad and a group from work played their ukeleles at the festival. The picture below is when the boys were helping them sing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

McCoy's (and Azure's now because he spends all day with McCoy) favorite people were at the festival of trees - Sally and Jack Skellington.

Even without snow, Christmas was constantly on all of our minds. Boston made a Lego scene, we took all of them to visit Santa, and Kayden sang a solo in the 3rd grade Christmas program.

Kayden is bottom left. Before the show, he said they had to wear toilet seat covers, but Chad showed him a picture of what old time carolers wore and then it seemed doable.

COUSIN FUN

Two days before Christmas, we were able to play and exchange gifts with the local cousins. An ideal thing for this bunch (especially my kids) would be an indoor trampoline room, but we managed to have them all gather for a short time for present exchanging and a picture. They are all close friends.

In order of age and size (for now). Kayden, Carson, Elijah, Boston, McCoy, Clarissa, Azure.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve day we took the kids swimming for almost 4 hours. This needs to be a tradition, as no kid (or adult!) had trouble going to sleep that night. In the evening we did the nativity, gave them new pjs and an ornament and read a story before tucking them into bed.

Kayden - the wisest wiseman

The first year I didn't have the be Mary! McCoy ASKED to be Mary and did a fabulous job!

I think this photo was the only time that Azure was actually laying still to be baby Jesus. Boston was Joseph.

Kayden: Dragon pjs and Hawaii ornament. Boston: Mario pjs and Angry Bird ornament. McCoy: monster pjs and Jack Skellington ornament. Azure: Elmo pjs and Elmo ornament.

Chad reading The Littlest Angel

CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas morning was magical as always with little ones. They woke up and saw that Santa came. We opened their Santa gifts and played with them for a little while before eating some cinnamon rolls and attending church. The minute we got home from church, we changed back into pjs and opened presents and played the whole day! It was perfect!