Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas 2009

Christmas is always such a great time, even when your kids are older and some of them gone. We love having the holidays with the kids around, and cannot imagine it without them. It will be a lonely day when Kevin and I have to spend it by ourselves and the kids are doing their own thing with their families. For now, we enjoy every minute we have with them.

We set the alarm for a much later time this year, which was nice for mom and dad. The kids ALWAYS sleep in the same room on Christmas Eve, no matter how many there are, and no matter if there are in-laws too! It's made for a crowded bedroom almost every year, but they wouldn't do it any other way. When I was heading to bed at around 1 a.m., I could hear the kids in the bedroom singing "Angels We Have Heard on High." That has become a tradition too. They always sing themselves to sleep. Here's Kira checking out her new sewing machine...
I think Landon was the most surprised this year. He opened up this "little" present to find this...
...his new drumset!
Tibi got a new portable DVD player for road trips and hanging out in her bedroom.
Checking out the stockings. (Landon didn't let his drumset out of sight!)
Three of the kids got slippers this year.
Tibi's new Ugg slippers.

Next to his new drumset, and the quilt that Michaela made him out of all of his playing t-shirts, I think this is Landon's prized possession. His BYU football vault book, a very nice, big, full of everything BYU football informational book. Later in the day, I walked past his bedroom to find his bed made (really!) with his new quilt and his book laying nicely on top of it. That's when I knew that he had had a good Christmas! (Notice he already has his slippers on)
The joke of the morning. Tibi and Michaela have been laughing about those stupid "Snuggie" blanket thingies that are on TV and in the stores, so naturally Tibi got one for Michaela!
Mom did good and got dad the ice pink tie he requested. Do any of you know how hard it is to shop anything clothes for Kevin?! If you know him at all (past custom clothier, very fashion conscience, always looks good in anything), you know that this was a miracle for Vicki! Yeah mom!! (It will look better with his charcoal suit than it does with his baseball t-shirt, I'm sure)
One of many quilts Tibi got this year. This was a rag quilt made up from scrap left over fabrics that she has been eyeing for some time. Great for those track meets coming up!
I made each of the girls a quilt this year. I started them back in August and got them done for Christmas. It was so fun to do them, as they are my prized girls in all the world! Definitely a labor of love.


The new drumset ready to set up in Landon's bedroom eventually.
Every year we head over to the Chappells for Christmas breakfast after opening our presents. We actually started this tradition and used to do it at our house with Vicki's family, but when they all moved away we started doing it with the Chappells. They have a bigger house and more family that comes, so we have been having it at their house for the last few years. This year we expanded to "2" tables. I always make my "fake" cinnamon rolls, a recipe that my mother used to make for us, and the kids have been requesting oven pancakes lately to go with the eggs, bacon, and juice we always have. It's become a fun tradition.


Then we packed up and headed to Arizona to get to the other kids and grandkids. Christmas isn't Christmas without everyone! So into the cars and off we went...

The three oldest grandkids got robes with their pajamas this year. Levi and Phoenix got a pillowcase to match their PJ's.

The "big" grandkids opening their color and paint books.
Levi got a bunch of new cars to play with. He finally got something that is totally his. Being the third child sometimes stinks when it comes to having your OWN things. Grandpa and Grandma took care of him!
Eden opening her "My Little Pony" puzzle...
Lexie is pretty excited about her new brownie pan that gives you "edges" on every piece. Cool new product for edge-lovers! Who knew?!Kira got a sweet gift card from Peter to Sephora to get herself the makeup she has wanted to get.Connie got a sweet curlbar from her dad.

We were able to head over to the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas lights too. They had the prettiest colors, even purple, all through the grounds.
Their nativity scene was wonderful with the neatest star. You could see it from far away and all you had to do was "follow the star" to get to the nativity. It was cold, but not windy, which we were grateful for.
It was a wonderful time, but we couldn't stay forever. So back to Logandale on Sunday night in time for work on Monday. Darn those Mondays...and darn that traffic over Hoover Dam on a Sunday night. We spent over three hours getting about 15 miles down the road! Not fun, but great company...

4 comments:

Lexie & Sharrid said...

Great post, we all had a wonderful Christmas. I am soon to do a post of my most favorite gifts this year. I cannot wait to see you next, the whole family...2 days isn't enough for me.

Lexie & Sharrid said...

AND I'm so jealous of Landon's drum set and I hope he knows how lucky and blessed he is. I also hope he shares shares shares until I get my own again.

Connie said...

Yeah, it was a great Christmas. I am still in awe over the quilts you made us. Tearing up over it, actually. Wish you all could have stayed longer!

Michele and Todd said...

Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas. I got to see all my family, even though one family was on Skype, to accomplish this. Nothing better than family at Christmas thats for sure.