Christmas 2012

This Christmas came and went so quickly.  To be honest, it wasn't what I was hoping it would be.  Our December started out with all 4 of us getting sick.  Because of that, I felt behind most of the month.  Despite the sickness and the unmet (probably unrealistic) expectations, we made some sweet memories and had great times with family.

Looking at Christmas lights and sipping hot cocoa with good friends.



Poor Jake needs some guy friends :)

Our family Christmas card photo :)

Christmas raclette party with our friends.



Dressed in their fancy Christmas clothes.

This photo really shows their respective personalities :)

Our first Christmas celebration was with Kyle's brothers and their families. Even though they are so much older, Addison and Jake's cousins always take the time to play with them and they LOVE it!

  The weather was gorgeous the weekend before Christmas.  The kids had fun jumping on the trampoline with Tanner.



Playing Twister with Kolbi and Kyndal.

Our second Christmas was with the Morris clan.  We enjoyed great food, lots of rest, and good company.



Avery and Addison with Will on his first Christmas. 

The kids with their fun hats from Nana and Papa.

Our third Christmas was with my dad's side of the family.  It was a short visit, but chocked full of laughs and again, yummy food.

Making lefse with my sister and Janet.

(Lefse is a Norwegian flatbread made with potatoes.  It's a Christmas tradition for us.)



Smiley Sam!

It was so good to see Marie, Brian (not in the picture) and Piper.  They were able to make the trip from Japan to be home for Christmas.  It was a short visit, but so good to catch up and hug their necks :)

The grandkids.

After leaving my dad's house, we had a couple of days at home.  Kyle had to work, but the kids and I enjoyed staying in our pj's.  We also snuck in a few of the fun things we didn't have time for before Christmas.  We did a craft, decorated sugar cookies, and decorated a gingerbread house.



Jake's Christmas tree masterpiece.

Addison's Christmas tree.

 

Decorating sugar cookies.

Decorating our ginger bread house.  Yes, Addison is in a summer dress...no, Jake doesn't have any pants on...and yes, I'm wearing painting clothes.  Just keeping it real, folks.

Our fourth Christmas celebration was ours, at home.  The kids opened a gift the night before our "Christmas Day."

In their new jammies.

Waiting to go into the living room to see if Santa came.



Addison was excited that Santa brought her a spin tooth brush. Santa did bring her other things...this was what she was most excited about :)

Jake with his Cars Lego set from Santa.

Our Christmas at home was great.  We opened gifts, ate breakfast, and played...just the 4 of us.  We love our crazy Christmas visiting schedule, but this time was really wonderful too.

Our last Christmas was with my mom's side.  We enjoyed playing games, had good conversations, and as always, the kids had fun playing with their cousins.  It snowed while we were together.  It didn't last long, but the kids got to play in it!



The cousins waiting to open presents.



Jake was really excited to play in the snow.  I love that he is wearing rainboots and mismatched mittens.



Playing in the snow.

 So, that was our Christmas 2012.  The best word to describe it....full.

Full of family, laughs, games, and cousins.  Oh, and we were full...we didn't need to eat for a week after all our feasting.