Christmas Day!!

Christmas morning we got word that Santa had paid a visit to Savannah and Grady, so we hurried over to see what he had left for them. Everyone looked so cute with sleepy but excited eyes.

Good Morning Christmas Girl!

What could Grady be opening?

Whatever it is, it is great!

Something from Poco and Posey for their favorite girl!

Wonderful framed family pictures for Grandma.

Helmets!

Ironman!

Buzz Lightyear! To infinity, and beyond, and to the pool this summer!

A darling Christmas love note from Savannah to her brother.

The reading of the note. So cute!

After a great mid-morning visit at the Rigby's (where I got to talk to Paris) I picked my mom up at Ann's and we went to George's for more fun and delicious treats!

Here's Commander William in his new Nasa gear. Look out universe, Wills is on his way!

Darling nativity that James made for his dad.

J.O. and his awesome new camera...it even works with a remote control.

Max got a phone! He didn't even have to ask for it.

Em scored with some darling new clothes! She will make them look sooo good!

Max also received a little firepower. Everyone was excited for him, except for Emily. Be careful Max! Don't shoot your eye out!

Wills was excited about his construction kit complete with motors!

Then mom went to Jensen's for more fun with Annie, Greg, and the kids, and I headed off to the annual HollyBowl. I never come close to winning, but I don't think it would feel like Christmas without this great tradition! I feel lucky to be a part of it!

Kenz and Kelci. Kelci had the best Christmas surprise for us all...She and Pat are expecting a baby in May!! Everyone is so excited for them! What a terrific announcement!

Tay and Will were the most consistent bowlers all night! Too cute!

Not exactly the shot I was going for, but it turned out to be a family portrait: Rachel, Drew, and baby Lauren.

Oh, here's the picture I was trying for. Rach, Lauren, and Mimi (Grandma Shelley)

Wills is learning early about the joys of video games.

I'm sure he could work the claw if someone loaned him a quarter or two. I love him up on his tippytoes peeking in! Drew ended up winning the HollyBowl and all the glory that goes with it. Brent's darling dad came in second. I was happy to break a hundred (barely). It was so fun to see everyone! 

After bowling, Michelle and I finished up a little "present-ing" and then the glorious day was over. I went to bed tired, but happy, and feeling full of Christmas love!

Christmas Eve

 When we were really little, the Christmas holidays were always celebrated at my Grandparents' house in Bear River City.

Growing up, we always went to my Aunt Ann's and Uncle De's for Christmas Eve, then had everyone at our house on Christmas Day, and again the next day for George's Birthday. As everyone grew up, got married, moved, and had new traditions to keep, Christmas shifted a bit to accomodate the changes. This year, Christmas Eve had some of us at my Aunt and Uncle's, some of us in Kaysville, and some of us in Syracuse. I was at my Aunt and Uncle's with cousins and my sister's family, and my mom of course. It was so fun to visit with the relatives I don't see very often.

Here are two peas in a pod. My mom and Savannah are definitely cut from the same cloth!

The table looked so pretty, the food was delicious, and the Knudsen's pear juice was yummy!

Owen and Cole look like they got into the whipped cream a little early!

Oh the chimes. The grinch would hate the chimes, but we love them.

Singing the carols. The first verses anyway, with most of the words right.

Uncle De, and Mattson. We missed Aunt Hope this year, and of course Dad, and Uncle Reid.

Another chime shot. 10 is the best chime, 5 and 12 are also good.

Grady was a big helper!

 Jeff with Owen, and Aunt Ann in the foreground.

The pictures don't begin to show the fun because I was too busy enjoying myself to take many good ones. Oh well. It was a great party, and brought back many wonderful memories of Christmases past.



Ward Christmas Breakfast with the whole family!

Don't you just love the ward family Christmas breakfast?!

For the first time in a long time, we were all there at the same time. So, we needed a lot of pictures. Some of them should have been sent "to the cloud" like that lady on the commercial says, to perfect them, but I just wanted to get them up, and with the holiday fast upon us, I don't have time to be lounging around on clouds. Here we are, unretouched. :)

Two of the little boys (and parents)

One of the little boys, and one of the middle boys, with Grandma. Thank you Cam for actually looking at the camera.

Girls' table, plus one. We have Samantha and Savannah and Ella and Emily, with Sammy's dad Brad, and little sis Piper on the side. So fun to see family and friends!

Here is Emily, the pink-cheeked favorite. Grandma had asked her to show her her darling jeans.

The sisters! I love these ladies so much!

The sisters and me.

Griffy is showing off my light-up necklace.

Ella K, Em, Sassy, and Griffy. Notice Em's extra headgear, courtesy of Sas. So funny.

J. O. with OJ.  Um, looks like you have a bit more to eat James.

Ella K and Em.

Oh thank you Santa!!

I promise I've been really good!

Um, I don't know Santa...have YOU been good?

Can I PLEASE have the keys to your sleigh? I'm a great driver!

Skateboard...definitely a skateboard....with stirrups to go with my boots!

Gee, I'm not sure that's all. Will anything else fit in your bag?

These two crack each other up! (and the rest of us too!)

The kids. Cam, J.O. Maximus, Ella K, Sassy, Grady-Man, Em, Griffster, and Dubby. Quite a clan!

Here's the lot of us. Dad must have been smiling down. (Or laughing) Thanks to my favorite professional photographer Lollipop for stepping in. Sorry for commandeering your morning and making you use my point and shoot.

I'm so glad we could all be together for the party! Thanks for the efforts you all made to be there! Love you so much! Merry Christmas!