Christmas Afternoon 2011...

The kids and I right after church... they are wearing their new clothes (Maddy is being goofy but it was the best of the few pictures that were taken of us.) This year my sisters and I switched up who was hosting which holiday party (I usually host Thanksgiving) and so this was my first year hosting Christmas. I really enjoyed it! Rich helped me make a yummy honey ham and sweet corn and then I had everyone else bring the rest of the sides/drinks/dessert. Besides the obviously good food, there was great company...

A cousin gift exchange...

And of course our favorite part, the adults White Elephant gift exchange...

Of course there are always the gifts that are not so desirable...

And those that lots of people want...

Re-gifts...?

Hmm... what am I suppose to do with this?

Carlee ended up participating in both the cousin exchange and the adults so she made out good... with a bunch of money! 

Good good times!

Thanks for coming everyone (and for all the yummy food you brought!)

We miss you Jen and family!

After our party ended Steve picked up the kids so they could celebrate Christmas at his house that evening. They stayed with him until the morning of 1/3/12 when they went back to school. So I took the week off from work and had a much needed long quiet 9 day break/vacation.

Sunday 12/25/11

Christmas Morning 2011...

We had a great Christmas this year. Of course the kids got spoiled getting Christmas both at my house as well as Steve's.

My brother Shawn was able to spend Christmas with us and Santa made sure he had a gift under the tree as well.

Rich was also there and we exchanged gifts and Santa made sure to leave a stocking for me and Rich's favorite candy for him :)

Sunday 12/25/11

Christmas Eve...

It has become a tradition to let the kids open pajamas on Christmas Eve...

Avery got her first nightgown and Maddy got Transformer pajamas...

They were also excited to both get their first pair of house slippers this year...

... And they've been wearing them every day since.

After the kids opened their pajamas we went back up to Salt Lake for Rich's immediate family Christmas party. Once again more good food, gifts and fun. Didn't get any pictures though :) 

Saturday 12/24/11

Maddox's 6th Birthday...

I seriously can't believe how fast time flies! I can't believe Maddy is already six! Crazy! He's been counting down the days to his birthday for quite a while and wanted to have a Transformers birthday party this year.

Of course he had to open the presents from Avery, Rich and I first thing in the morning. He got more Beyblade stuff of course :)

We ended up inviting 24 kids and 16 made it (plus family) so it was a pretty full crazy house.

Of course he got spoiled with lots of nice gifts...

Steve was able to come and help out so of course I put him in charge of the pinata...

The kids also played Maddy's version of "Simon Says" which was "Optimus Prime says" and it ended up taking quite a while to get it down to two winners.

Aren't these two the cutest...

Maddy's cousins from Texas McKayla and Carlee were able to come and so Maddy was excited about that!

Here is a video of us singing Happy Birthday to him before having cake and ice cream...

Happy Birthday Maddy! I can't believe how fast you are growing up and how smart you are already! I just love you to pieces! Love you forever and ever and ever... Mom

Friday 12/16/11