Even though we were small in numbers, we still had a great time on Christmas Eve at my parents home in Cedar. My sister Kim and her family joined in the evenings festivities. First off was the christmas concert showcasing all the amazing talent in our family. I say that with a little bit of sarcasm--we are not very talented. Although, my nieces and nephews are getting pretty good at the piano and it was fun to hear them play.
Whitney started us off. She did great!
Erik thought it would be fun to take a piano class for beginners at BYU, so he had to show us what he had learned so far. Pretty impressive!
Ella even joined in and showed off what we've been practicing at home!
Brad and Erik serenaded us with the guitars and we joined in singing some Christmas hymns.
Next up was the scripture story and nativity.
Lauren and Ella were the sweetest angels I ever did see.
Our tiny nativity--with no wisemen and only one shepherd. We worked with what we had!
After the nativity scene we jumped in the cars and drove around looking at all the lights around town. There is one house up on the hill that we always have to make it to. I think about every inch of their yard and house is covered in lights! Pretty sure you can see it from the moon. Every time go look at this house I just can't help imagine what their electric bill must be the month of December!
Ella and Uncle Erik right before bed time.
We made sure to leave Santa with yummy cookies and snacks for the reindeer.
Ella helped compose a note to Santa with special instructions for the reindeer.
Christmas morning. While growing up, we had to get a picture at the top of the stairs before we went down and checked out all of our presents.
Yup, Santa came. He even took time to write Ella back!
Ella and I look a little tired!
She beat everybody at Hungry Hungry Hippos (and only cheated sometimes).
We stopped by to visit with my grandparents. We sure miss being close around them!
I got to go to lunch with some of my girl friends at the place I worked during high school and up until I had Ella. It was so much fun. We stayed way too long and laughed way too much. I have known most of these ladies since our elementary days. I love these gals. And we missed those who weren't there!
One afternoon we took all the kids to a place full of big slides and bounce houses. This slide was so steep. Ella was brave and went down it. She had a look of terror on her face all the way down and spread her legs out as far as she could to keep herself from going too fast. I think she inherited the lack of doing anything scary or daring from me!
One of my sisters and I got brave and went down the tall slide. It really was scary! I screamed the whole way down.
We made yummy s'mores one night in the fireplace. Delish!
Ella and Halle catching a ride on Brad.
Lunch with Grandma, Mom, and all my sisters--minus Lyndsie who was on her way to Texas!
On our last night in Utah, we went over to my sister Kim's house and played on their new Kinect. We thought it would be fun to watch my parents bowl. We were right. It was fun. My mom was really good, and my dad....tried really hard. All the nephews would chant"Strike! Strike! Strike!" for my mom and "Do your best!" "Do your best!" for my dad. It was great. It was pure madness with all my family in one room, but so much fun!
