Christmas wrap up . . . FINALLY!!

My sister Taryn and our brother in law, Brady did the cutest thing for our kids . . . they sent them a chain of candies and treats that they had made for them, with one to open each night of December, until Christmas day. It was like a Christmas advent. The boys loved it!! It was their daily highlight . . . they looked forward to it each night. I WISH I had pictures of it :(-- so cute! Thanks Aunt Taryn and Uncle Brady!

Here are a few random shots

Claire's FIRST Christmas

Caleb's Christmas Program

Breakfast with Santa (Caleb's pre-school)

CHRISTMAS EVE

The kids and I went to my parents house on Christmas Eve. Quinn joined us later, when he was done delivering packages in his UPS browns. (hee hee) EVERYBODY at UPS has to deliver packages on Christmas Eve, even management. My sister Sarah, her husband Eric, and their little cuties Jack and Adeline were in town from Wyoming, to spend Christmas with Eric's family. We got to visit with them for a couple hours that night. Sooooo fun.

Grampy and the two new little grandaughters, Claire and Adeline (Addie)

Jackers and Luke playing with Grammy and Grampy's train.

(not a great shot . . . we want to see faces! I was so disappointed that we didn't get a picture of ALL of the kids together! It just went too fast.)

The two girls sporting the new headbands and leg warmers, made with love by Aunt Carrie! Notice the lovely diaper and t-shirt look . . . my mom teased us, that Carrie is ALSO going to have to help us learn how to DRESS our girls (style maven, that she is).

Our nativity (little bit small and simple this year)

placing Baby Jesus.

Hugs and kisses, and home to our house to put out treats for Santa and his reindeer.

'twas the night before Christmas . . .

The stockings were hung . . .

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads . . . dreaming of . . .

CHRISTMAS !!!


waiting to come downstairs


. . . and on to the loot!

Our dear friends (more like family) from Longview -- The Wrights surprised us on Christmas day! They called to say Merry Christmas and see how things were going, and while we were talking, the doorbell rang . . . it was them . . . on our front porch!! We were totally surprised!!

Miss Kelly and baby Claire

THEN . . . my mom and dad and brother Brett came and played Santa! And we had a big Christmas feast.

It was soooo fun!

In the whole eleven years we've been married, this was the VERY FIRST Christmas we have EVER had in our OWN home. It was really nice. We're excited to take some of the wonderful traditions from both sides of our family, and develop some of our own as well. If you have any you'd like to share . . . we're making a list!