Monday, March 22, 2010

Gifts from the Girls

Emily and Tori each made Jason and I gifts for Christmas at school which they wrapped up and gave to us on Christmas morning.
Emily made a stained glass picture made out of tin foil and an image put on a clear piece of plastic that she colored to look like a poinsettia.
Tori made a calendar. For each month there are art work pieces that their class each started to make months before the holiday season.
They were both wonderful gifts which we loved very much!!


Christmas Morning!


Christmas morning at our house this year was great fun!! The kids woke up and we told them that they had a present in the front room...they went in there and saw someone sleeping on the blow up bed and asked who it was and we said why dont you go find out. So they crept up and my brother uncovered his head and said, "Merry Christmas" and the kids all screamed..."It's Uncle Chris!!"
Everyone was spoiled as usual. The kids each got some pretty cool stuff from Santa...Emm got a New Moon chest full of DS games, Hudson got Rockband 2, Tori got a pink DS and Max got a firetruck! Along with many other gifts from grandparents and Jase and I.
We unwrapped all of our gifts, ate some breakfast and then proceeded to put together all those toys that needed assembly. Then everyone got showered and cleaned up to head over to Gram and Grandpa's for gifts and Christmas dinner! Even Cooper got a new doggie bed for Christmas which he seemed to love. He curled up on it and went to sleep :)
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The Biggest Surprise of All :)


In the fall my brother Chris asked if he could come and visit for Christmas. He said he had some holiday time he had to use and would love to come but didnt want it to be too crowded since he knew my parents were coming for the holidays.
I told him sure but we decided that we should keep it a surprise from my parents and our kiddos. I had to tell Jase's mom since she was hosting dinner but other than that the surprise went well.
After we hit Sonic, we told my parents that Jason had forgotten something at the office and had to run to get it. My parents assuming that it was a present thought nothing of it!!
Jason went to the airport to pick up Chris, whose plane was a little late but still...it was awesome!
Chris texted me that they were on their way and then half an hour later i was making my Christmas morning wifesaver and i heard a noise at the back slider door.
When i peeked out i saw my brother outside...i pulled back the blinds and then opened the slider door and at the same time said out loud..."Man its amazing what you find in your backyard!!" My parents looked up and saw that it was Chris and were in shock!
The kids were excited as well the next morning.
My parents were beside themselves with how well we kept the secret.
Best present ever...all the family together for the holidays :)
We even made him and my parents a stocking for Christmas this year that they could leave at our house for future visits!!

Christmas PJ's


Every year the kids get to open a pair of Christmas pajamas after we get home from the Temple and Sonic. The ones this year were really cute!! They were all so excited to get to bed so that they could be asleep when 'the big guy' made his visit.
The only sucky part about this year was that we had to give Emm the speach about 'what is real and what is not' it was so sad :( We told her that if she blew the lid on it for any of the others her presents go back!!! So far so good :)

Sonic after the lights!!!

Another tradition Jase and I started a few years back was to stop and have a Holiday Blast at Sonic on our way home after seeing the Temple Lights on Christmas Eve.
This year my parents were in town so they came with us and we also invited Jason's family. Chris and Steph brought their kiddos and we had a fun time eaing ice cream OUTSIDE on Christmas Eve!!!
The kiddos!!

Emm with Nana and Papa!

The brothers! Jase and Chris. Yep can you tell they both just love having their photo taken? haha

Temple Lights on Christmas Eve

It has become a tradition for our family to visit the Mesa Temple on Christma Eve to see the beautiful Christmas lights. If anyone is visiting us they come with us!!
Jason's parents always come with us as well as any visitors they have as well.
This year there was a lot of people...our family, my parents, Jason's parents, Chris and Steph and their kids and Shaun.


The kids with Nana and Papa!!

The cousins :)

Hudson and his buddy Matthew!!

Weenie Roast in December!!

My parents came for Christmas this year. We were all so excited to see them again. On the night of December 21st my parents and I were trying to decide on what to have for dinner and we came up with the thought of having a weiner roast and then the kids could show my parents how to make smores.
Hudson asked if he could help my dad make the fire and together they made a great one!! Hudson was so happy that his Papa let him help!!
The hot dogs were awesome and the smores even better!!!
What a way to spend the holidays in Arizona :)
Helping make the fire!!



The two turkeys!
Roasting the hot dogs!!

Nana and Tori looking for a good spot.

Papa and Max cooking his hot dog!

The crew cookin!!

Yumm!!! Nothing better than a hot dog you cooked yourself over an open fire!!