Christmas one more time

We brought home presents from Tracie, Marc and the kids.

Every one loved their presents. Thanks from all.

Christmas 2009

The tree is up and the house is decorated.

Bring on the Christmas Programs. Aiden took this photo of Papa enjoying the show.

Both Riley and Taylor had their programs on the 15th of December. Riley sang Christmas songs and signed "Silent Night" and Taylor played her violin in the school orchestra.

Brings back lots of memories when Tracie played.

The last day of school for the kids was December 18th. This gave us lots of time to do crafts and bake lots of cookies.

Ginger Bread Houses

On Monday

The kids decorated their Ginger Bread Houses

Lots of supplies are gathered.

Tanealya is concentrating so hard.

Taylor is having fun building and sampling the frosting.

Take a look at the snowman apron. Riley's smile tells all. He is having so much fun.

Little Aiden is working hard on making his house perfect. He even added snow to everything he decorated. I might have a future cake decorator on my hands. He is holding that bag of frosting like a professional.

The houses all turned out to be very cute. Good job kids.

T

After the houses were all finished Aiden remembered he had a bakers hat and apron.

Even Taylor had to put it on.

I have the most wonderful Ginger Bread House display.

Christmas continues at Tracie and Marc's

Over the river and through the woods we went to celebrate Christmas with Tracie and her family. We spent an entire week with the kids because daycare was closed. We had a great time and enjoyed being with the Tracie, Marc and the kids. We arrived on Sunday night presents in hand.

Christmas Presents.

During the week we did some crafts with the kids while Marc and Tracie were at work.

CRAFT TIME

The kids painted and glittered picture frames. They all did a great job.
They were so much fun to watch as they painted and glittered their creations.

The kids enjoyed making snowflakes.

Marcus really got into putting on the glitter.

When we finished Tracie's house SPARKLED.

We spent New Year's Eve with Tracie and Marc and New Year's Day we went to Selah to visit Jerry's family. Mom made us a wonder lunch and then we went and spent some time with Chip. It was a great day. That night we returned to Spokane.

Spent Saturday shopping and having lunch at Olive Garden (Thanks Tracie and Marc for the gift).

Sunday we had to head back home.

The weather was great compared to last year.

Last year we followed snow plows.

This year we had clear roads and no snow plows.

Thanks Olivia, Emma and Marcus for a great week.

We had lots of fun playing with you.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day

Sabrina and her family return to open presents and have brunch with us.

Every one got what they wanted and brunch was great. We played with the toys and games. Aaron helped Riley put together his Lego's. Dad got a Riobi drill from Santa and Tavein got the running shoes that she needs to run her marathon this spring in Idaho.

Christmas Eve

Thursday

Sabrina and her family gather at our house for Christmas Eve dinner. The Kids and I plan a great meal and work all day on preparing it.

SURPRISES AWAIT

Shortly after dinner we hear a knock at the front door. Upon inspection we find that Santa left some early presents for the kids. This tradition started two years ago when we discovered Aiden had a fear of Santa that was so bad that when he saw Santa he threw up. So the tradition of having Santa come and visit on Christmas Eve changed to presents being left at the front door.

Books and games are unwrapped and enjoyed.

GAME TIME

Then we play games. This seems to have also become a tradition on Christmas Eve.

TIME TO FEED THE REINDEER

The kids head outside with their reindeer food to sprinkle on the lawn so Santa can find our house. They not only throw food on the lawn but at each other as you can see in Taylors hair. Reindeer food is part oatmeal and part confetti that the kids mix up just for Christmas eve.

Then we take the kids and look at all the pretty lights around the city and then take them home so they can sleep with sugar plums in their heads and awake to Santa's presents Christmas morning. Hope all had as much fun as we did.

Christmas continues

ON TUESDAY

We baked cookies. Yum!!

On Wednesday

The kids made Chex Mix. When they dumped it out onto the table they were surpised at how much they had made. That was a lot of Chex Mix but it didn't last long.

Then they created a village of foam houses.

What a fun day.