Annual Cousin Sock Exchange

We decided to hold an annual Cousin Sock Exchange in honor of Grandma May.  The first time we got together we tried a white elephant exchange, but most of the kids were too young to understand how it works, so it wasn't hugely successful.  The socks seem to be a hit with everyone, though.  Or maybe everyone is just afraid to tell me no.  Either way, I like it, so we'll keep doing it.

This year we even saw some aunts and uncle that we don't usually see.  Yay!   Hope we didn't scare them off.

Temple Night

I'm glad that Nonie insisted that Doug and I go to the Temple tonight.  I met him there after work.  And I thought the temple looked especially beautiful.

Museum of Glass

The first time Nonie & Poppa came to visit us here in Washington (8 years ago), Momma told me that she hoped we could go see a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit in Tacoma. Who-lee, I asked? Momma ended up getting sick and we didn't get to go. Fast forward through every other visit since then, and we never made time for it. So this time, when I saw a GroupOn for family membership to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, I knew we had to go this time. And so we did.

We watched some glass being blown in the theater. Pretty cool, but the kids wanted to be on the move.

The exhibit rooms were awesome and I was excited to take pictures of some of the cool pieces. Until a kindly museum guard told me to cease and desist from taking pictures. We were then surprised to learn that Dale Chihuly really doesn't have anything on exhibit in the museum. He loaned his name and influence to the museum, but his stuff isn't on display. oh. wish we'd known that. Nonie asked where we might be fortunate enough to actually see some Chihully pieces in the nearby area, and we were directed out into the rain to walk across the Glass Bridge. I'm so glad we did!

And then we went across the street to the Court House where there are several large displays of Chihuly art.

In the end, I decided that the kids may not want to return to see fancy glass, but I'm looking forward to going back. And I really want to take photos on the glass bridge on a sunny day.

Braces

Finally got around to getting braces for Laurel's poor teeth.  If I know her at all, she will be a model patient.  She was kind enough to show them off for everyone when we got home, but wouldn't let me take a picture of them.  Whatever.  I'll get her eventually.

Christmas | 2011

We let Nonie & Poppa stay in our room, so Doug and I were there from the minute the kids came downstairs this year.  It was fun to see their reactions to what they found in their stockings.  And then we got dressed for church (Sacrament Meeting only today).

Because we are taking a big family vacation to Walt Disney World in early January, we told the kids that Christmas would be smaller and mostly  homemade this year.  I worked with each of the kids to make gifts for the other kids (thank you, Pinterest!) and I think everyone ended up with at least one thing that they absolutely loved and adored.

showing Poppa the Disney Gift Card Santa brought to everyone

After church, we came home and changed back into our Christmas jammies to open presents.

even Henry and Shadow got gifts! this is their PetCo gift card from the Petersons

wearing the headband Malcolm made for her; opening the hat I won on my friend's blog!

the moustache gloves made by Malcolm

 Dana's reaction to her gift from the Peterson cousins was pretty priceless.  I'm glad I chose to run the video rather than taking still pictures.

We played a fun (and obligatory) game of Chicken Foot.

The Campbells joined us for dinner and Sheila made creme brulee for dessert.  my favorite.

 

I think that Shadow was the only one at the end of the night who still felt like she needed and/or wanted something...probably just a little attention.

Christmas Eve | 2011

Nonie and Poppa flew in today to spend Christmas with us.  We are so happy to have them here!  We were especially excited tonight to have them join in our Slurpee-11 tradition.  Though Dana was confused as to why they insisted on getting small hot chocolates, rather than ginormous Slurpees.

happy hanukkah

We got together with the Campbells and the Bakers for Hanukkah.  Who doesn't love the festival of lights, latkes, dreidels, and gelt?  We sure do.  Sheila made jelly donuts again this year.  SO tasty!

jammies, a tree, and the dogs

I just wanted a picture of the kids in their cute, all matching Christmas jammies in front of the ginormous Christmas tree, with the dogs.  They're old enough that this just shouldn't be a big deal.  Really, it shouldn't.  I have no idea why it didn't go well.  For the second night in a row.  But here are some that will hopefully bring a smile to your face.