Thanksgiving: We were with Norm's family for Thanksgiving this year. Technically it was our year to be with my family but we had to do a switcheroo. Here's how it happened. Norm's family was getting together in December, the week before Christmas, to celebrate his parents 50th anniversary and we were celebrating our Christmas with them then. So we swapped. Anyway, the Leathermans came up, and we played games and ate. We did help his parents do their Christmas decorating which was a lot of fun. We had not done that with them before so it was fun. The kids always have so much fun. It's fun to watch them transition from playing house to playing board games and just "hanging out".
Riley and Lindsay's new baby: Just before Thanksgiving little Ruby Claire was born on Monday the 23rd. With the major swine flu epidemic kids were not allowed in the hospital. So, I was able to run by the hospital to see Linds and the baby before we left. The kids were totally miffed that they had to wait until after thanksgiving to see her. We came home on Sunday and drove out to her house to have dinner and hold that baby! She is darling and we are so excited to have another little baby in our family.
December: we started out with great intentions of having a peaceful Christmas. We did really good the first two weeks. We read our Christmas storybook and our scripture each night. We watched some Christmas movies, the kids did their advent items. Once again we had to make a chart to know whos turn it was to open the book, do the chain, put the heart on and put the ornament on the tree. We left on Tuesday the 15th to go up to the cabin for Norm's family reunion. I was in charge of all the food. I honestly don't mind doing it but just to preface how it all fell apart. Starting on the Friday, the 11th, we did shopping, Cole had a haircut, on Saturday the 12th, more shopping, we went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert with Natalie Cole, Sunday, we had a family dinner. Monday the 14th, I cleaned at the Nehmers, packed, more food and christmas shopping. Tuesday we leave! We come back on Sunday the 20th and we have a family dinner with my family for Kam and Lindsay's birthday. Monday the 21st I go to lunch with Lindsay and my Mom and sisters, Brandy and Riley for lindsay's birthday. Tuesday, 22nd I clean at Nehmers and finish up Christmas prep... whew that is making me tired again. So needless to say that when Christmas eve hit we still had about 15 books still wrapped and unread, 15 links left on our chain and several ornaments to go on the tree. Christmas eve we got together for dinner, ham and turkey and 12 layer jello. We acted out the Christmas story. We had a pretty small group, just us, Mom and Dad and Lindsay and Riley and their kids and aDrienne. We are not great singers so I made a cd with the songs to go along with the nativity story. It was really good but you forget how much energy little two year olds have! You forget that they way you have things planned out in your mind, never go that way. My baby is 8 so it has been a while for me to realize that serenity and spiritual calmness doesn't go hand in hand with a two year old. Especially funny, or not funny, however you look at it was Ryder dropping something or hitting his head during the nativity reading and shouting out OH, SH*&%(! So, we did it, we read the story. The kids all opened their pjs from Grandma. I decided to get the kids christmas socks this year so that was fun. We got the girls tucked in bed and Norm and I and Cole went in and Norm read us the Night Before Christmas. It really was a fun night. I am not being angry about two year olds I am just merely explaining how quickly you forget what life is like with one. They are adorable and cute and BUSY! Christmas day we just stayed home (at my parents, since that is our home right now) It was a nice relaxing day...
Christmas Eve Jammies from Grandma and new socks from Mom and Dad
Patiently waiting on the stairs... you can't go into "the" room until Mom is ready with camera
Maddy and her Guess Who Extra
Cole scored a sweet fish tank from Santa this year! Tenley got her "American Girl" doll
Cute hats from Grandma!
A little Rummikub action
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