Enjoying Christmas

This year there was snow all over the ground so the kids couldn't very well ride their new bikes and ripsticks so we took them to the church to ride. They had lots of fun with lots of room to ride and play.





It was just about time to get headed home and I decided to go in and set up chairs for Primary on Sunday so I wouldn't have to worry about it. Tylinn really needed a drink so she went in with me. I went to the Primary room and Tylinn went to get a drink. A few seconds later Tylinn comes to me and says "Mom, come here." I said OK and started walking. She said "Mom no hurry it's bad, really really bad. To be 100% honest I wasn't thrilled about seeing what it was because who knows but I knew if it was too bad Tylinn would be more upset. I went around the corner and the church was flooded. I ran outside to get Bruce. To make a long story short the Cultural Hall, Kitchen, Nursery, closet were all flooded. A pipe in the ceiling broke and water was running out of the ceiling. We think it had just happened that morning. If it would have sat another day (which it very likely could have with it being Christmas day) it would have been a huge mess. Bruce stayed to help clean it up along with Pres. Whipple, Bishop Nelson and a few other men. It was an interesting Christmas afternoon.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Morning kids lined up to run in and see what Santa brought.

Kids looking through their stockings to see what Santa left them. Looks like a few watches - Bridget, Dustin and Rhett.

Looks like Rhett found his Christmas Orange.

Tylinn and Kaylee happily digging.


New bikes - WOW!

Bridget with her new bike. The boys got Ripsticks.

Kids lined up with their cereal Santa brings them every year - their very own cereal.

Best face ever on Christmas. Excited but surprised. What was it??




Yes the kids got a Wii. They were so excited. We count our many blessings that we had another great Christmas, but more importantly for our Savior and we get to celebrate his birth.

Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa McLaws

This year we decided to go to Grandma and Grandpa McLaws' house for Christmas Eve. Lonnie and Family were there with us.



Bruce read in Luke 2 while the kids acted it out (another tradition).

Grandma watching the very entertaining show!

The Nativity

Our cute little Mary and baby Jesus.

Kaylee was the star. She was very worried because when we did the program with the Primary there were stars and they had their little star faces, well she wanted a star face. I looked around for something that was a star that might work. Grandma had this little pink star ornament on her tree. I told Kaylee she could use that. She was so happy and held that star up as high as she could with pride. The cutiest little pink star ever!

After the Nativity we sang some Christmas Carols. Tylinn and Dustin sang "The Nativity" from the Primary song book. Rhett and Kaylee sang "Away in a Manger" and Bridget with Bruce sang "Silent Night". We sang a few more Christmas songs, then home we went to get kids in bed so Santa could come.

Christmas PJ's

Another tradition at our house is every Christmas the kids get to open 1 present - the kicker is - Mom gets to pick which one. It just so happens the one she picks is always kids PJ's. This year we were going to Joe City with Bruce's family for Christmas Eve so the kids got to open them in the afternoon before we left. Here's all the kids with excitement opening their Christmas Eve Present.


All the kiddos holding up their jammies. Bridget's and Tylinn's came with little eye covers. Tylinn sleeps with hers on every night and loves it. I don't know that Bridget has put hers on since this picture.

Tylinn and Kaylee with the "eyes" on. Such excitement on Christmas Eve.

Snow Fun!

I love pictures of kids playing in the snow. Today the kids had tons of fun - great activity 2 days before Christmas. This morning Marinda called and said she would pull kids in the snow if I would take care of her triplets - what a trade! Those kids went for a long time and loved it.
Kaylee with her crazy eyes (she thinks the has to do something crazy with her eyes every picture) ready to go out and play.

The train going around our houses a million times.

Paige and Tylinn

Rhett and Tyra

Dustin, Kaylee and Bridget ready to go.

What a great day is what the kids had to say about today!

Gingerbread houses

Another holiday tradition of ours is making Gingerbread Houses. We usually make them for FHE one of the Monday's in December but it seemed like we had something going on all of them so I decided we would do them this week while the kids were out of school. Well today was the day. We use graham cracker and hot glue for the house. After the house is standing with hot glue the kids then use frosting and candy. Today I just turned them loose on it. They turned out really cute!

Christmas Caroling

Monday night we went Christmas Caroling with the Parrys. The kids loved doing this. Reece put some hay in the back of his truck that we sat on and sang our hearts out while we delivered goodies. Just another fun thing leading up to Christmas!