christmas afternoon 2009

Our tradition is to go to my parents house in the afternoon.  

After we open presents there is some serious lounging around.  Mostly on the floor in the living room.  Even though there are plenty of seats in the house.  These is the totally typical scene: 

One of the best traditions we have it to pick up a bunch of Alvey's Chocolates when we are in Logan and then we bring them out on Christmas to snack on while we open presents. 

I love homemade gifts but am not always confident that other people love them as much as me.  This year, I went out on a limb and made these heat pads for a few people in my family.    Affectionately called "corn bags," these things were a hit and I ended up making one for everyone.  

My brother got everyone a "Tornado" for emergency use, and well, to cook the crab out in the garage.

The Christmas spread was amazing.  

Along with lounging and eating is enjoying of presents.  The Darda tracks made a fine version of Lombard Street. 

My brother Dennis gave someone a jumping machine thing.  He makes everything into a contest and before we knew it, we were all jumping with all our might.  And some of us (older than 13) had a lot less might than others (younger than 13).

And my mom always likes to get a photo of all of us together.  That is harder than it might seem.

But we got one.  And I am glad because it is so fun to compare the photos year after year.

And you know how I was saying that the kids always seem to have so much fun with the wrapping paper rolls?  Same goes for boxes.  

And of course, the night ended with Settlers.

The scoreboard for 2009

christmas morning 2009

Santa came.  Enjoyed his snacks and left more than the kids could ever dream of.

Santa always leaves an orange, a toothbrush,  orange sticks... 

 ...and whatever trinkets and candy he thinks the kids might like.

 After the stocking, the kids moved on to the big stuff.

 And isn't it always the case that the kids seem to enjoy things like the big plastic bin and wrapping paper rolls as much as they enjoy the actual presents.

But somehow that doesn't stop us from spending too much money on something they will end up breaking, not caring about, or losing anyway, right?

Christmas is magic.  Thank you, kids, for letting us be a part of your magic.

our many days of christmas 2009

Like many, we have family Christmas traditions. 

One of them is to be late to the family Christmas party.  This year we were mega super late.  But everyone was so nice and waited to sing a few songs so we could join in.  I love seeing all these grown men singing how they are a Little Gypsy Girl.

Among other traditions we enjoyed:

 -dancing around the tree

-a meal complete with cheesy-Mormon-funeral-au gratin potatoes (I love them but I hardly ever make them because they don't taste so good once you see what goes into them so I make sure to eat a ton at family functions) 

-a talent show (Eva wrote and read a short story and Samuel said a poem)

-tarts with a nut hidden in a few.  Whoever gets a nut in his or her tart gets a prize.  Karl wins every single year.  And if he doesn't win, he cheats so it looks like he wins.

-an ornament/gift on the tree for each of the great grandkids

-lots of catching up with cousins that live all over the country

After the big party we went to Karl's mom's to open presents with cousins and siblings.  Eva really wanted to do the Christmas nativity thing but no one else did.  Poor Eva.  She is such a good girl. After everyone cleared out, Karl and I played Pinochle with Kathryn and Gordon until the wee hours of the morning.  I love that game.  Even though we didn't win, I still love it.

The next day we went to Karl's dad's to see more family.  It is no wonder my  kids love Christmas.  It is one giant, indulgent season.  We joined them in their Christmas Eva fondue.  It is so fun.  And, really, where else am I going to have deer, wild boar, bison and beef fondue?  Pretty impressive.

As soon as we pulled up to the house Samuel saw the hill and said, "I want to slide down that hill."  Samuel was so light, he went down the hill and all the way across the yard.  Then the big boys tried and didn't quite make it that far.  It left a big hole in the track.  So after that, anyone that tried would crash when they hit the hole.

We then packed up and headed home in time to put milk and cookies out for Santa, celery and apples for the reindeer, and cheese for the mice (the kids insisted).  Oh, and the elves left PJs for the kids.  

And read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and told a little bit about the birth of Christ.

Then off to bed for the two little ones and Karl and I spent the whole night getting ready for the big morning.

annual calendar

Every year I swear that I am going to start on these earlier.  Every year something comes up and I end up working on these the minute before it is time to gift them.  Despite the stress I cause myself, I love to make them.  I love coming up with the design, the colors, and all the stuff that goes into it.  One part I don't love is gathering the pictures, especially the ones that aren't of my kids.  

My friend let me use her Cricut.  So nice of her.  I knew I would love it.  Someday...

I will be blogging about Christmas for a really really long time.  Even though life still goes on and I keep eating delicious meals that I want to blog about.

our card

We have neighbor friends, church friends, family friends, childhood friends, college friends, mission friends, Chicago friends, Texas friends, California friends, work friends...

Then there are blog friends, facebook friends, twitter friends, Christmas card friends...

Not to be all braggy, just pointing out that there are many kinds of friends. 

Now, my blog friends can be my Christmas card friends.  Which are one of my favorite kind of friends.  Some of ya'll (my already Christmas card friends and my facebook friends) have seen this already.  But it took me so long, I might as well get some use out of it. 

Some of you were supposed to get this but my imperfect addressing system left me confused and wondering who I had sent to and who (or is it whom?  Too bad Karl is already asleep) I hadn't.  

I had to redo this about 6 times.  Each time had new typos. Even the final. 

I know that Christmas is over.  But I am late at everything.  All my Christmas stuff is still up.

And do I need to get into how we showed up for church at 1:00 only to find out it ENDED the hour before?  Wishful thinking, I guess.

This new blogger won't let me position my 10,000 photos the way I like to.  Which might be a good thing.  I do like the XL photo option, though.  But I don't know how to deal.  Yet another decision to make...

christmas card 2009... out takes

Saturday morning the kids got to have "Breakfast with Santa."

It was a speedy affair and they just got to shake his hand (huh? Is that what we have come to?) but I snuck in a little photo, of course.

And Samuel helped clean up. We didn't even have to threaten or bribe him. So I took a picture.

Tried to get some photos for a Christmas card. Seems like the out takes are always my favorite.

Here is Eva sporting her In-N-Out hat. We'll call this the one hat two buns look.

Next, we have Eva putting forth a lot of effort.

Samuel and his hat, too.

He has been doing this middle pose a lot lately. Don't know where he got it.

The last one, it is actually a genetic thing. If you are Japanese, you can't help but pose like this for pictures. Just can't.

After the photo shoot, I was inside thawing out and the Eva made me go back out to see Samuel's snowman. "That was fast," I thought.

This was what he made.

what a difference a year makes

That time of year came again. Samuel's Christmas program. After last year, just the thought of the program made me all nervous.

But this year went great. Notice the teacher right behind Samuel at all times. Good to know that they know him as well as we do.

Decked out to sing "Mele Kalikimaka."

That happy face lets me know that it was all worth it.

While the kids were waiting for Santa, Samuel ran over to me to tell me that we forgot to bring his pictures of all the toys he was asking from Santa. On his way back to the line he randomly sat by this guy and said, "I'm staring at you." The guy was a good sport and stared back. And won.

The line was hectic and long. This kid in front of Eva and Samuel gave Santa a treat. I thought that was cute.

Here is Santa happily and intently listening to Eva. So sweet.

Samuel whispered his "orders" to Santa. Then after we made him get down, he went back and "ordered" some more.

(I need to fix his tie. It is out of control.)

Samuel's (much better) Christmas program: recorded.


Added this later, just because it makes me laugh when I watch it.  What motivates him?  Really?