Fourth of July

The Fourth of July was so nice and warm this year. Last year was a bit chilly so we were grateful that we didn't have to freeze at the parade this year. We did our usual thing... we backed up Ed's truck to the beginning of the parade route behind all the people so we go to sit up high and watch the parade and it's also a quick get-a-way once it's over.

 After the parade we went home and relaxed so Ed and Tess went slipping-and-sliding! She loved it!!

 This was the first year that we didn't go down to the river and watch the big firework show. I was kind of sad but I was outnumbered. The rest of the family wanted to stay home and do our own firework show. Over the weekend we had gone to Alpine to get the "good" fireworks so we had our friends over and lit off our own fireworks!

 Run guys run!!!

 I think all the dad's had more fun that the kids :)

What a fun day! The 4th of July is definitely one of my favorite holidays. I love being with family and friends, the BBQ's, the parade, the fireworks and who am I kidding? I LOVE the heat!! Happy Fourth of July!

Easter

Easter was actually a nice day this year! We had a neighborhood egg hunt...
Found baskets on Easter morning...

Went to church...

And had a family get together in the afternoon. We had an egg hunt and a big dinner. It was fun!

Of course we had to have the adult eggs too.... Ressha was the big winner this year. I think she won a $100. Dang... I have to try to win that thing next year!

Christmas Day

This picture was actually on Christmas Eve. Our tradition is to open new pajamas on Christmas Eve. I just loved this picture of all my kids lined up ready to rip open a present. This was actually Tess's very first time opening anything!
The stockings on Christmas morning. There's always lots of fun surprises in our stockings.

I think Daddy looks tired!

A picture of the BOMB that went off in our family room! I think we were only about half-way through here... yikes!

I knew Tess's favorite thing would be the wrapping paper!

It's so cute... It's like Where is Waldo? but instead it's Where is Tess?

This was Christmas up at Nanny and Papa's house. We got spoiled as usual. I am so excited I got the Willow Tree Nativity set. I can't wait to put it up next year!

This is kind of a picture of some of the family. I could kick myself- we were actually ALL finally together as a family and I didn't get even one picture. I think we were having too much fun laughing and playing games.

Every year I stress myself out about Christmas; Did I buy enough for the kids? will everyone like what I got them? Then there's the parties and the wrapping and the shipping and the baking and then it's all over in an hour on Christmas morning. But I know that none of that stuff really matters. What really matters is why we celebrate Christmas. Christ is the real reason for Christmas and I am thankful to have a testimony of His birth and Atonement. Once I get past all the holiday stressers I enjoy the holidays and am so thankful to have an awesome family to spend time with! Merry Christmas~

Christmas Eve

Every year we spend Christmas Eve with Ed's family. We do white elephant gift exchanges, let the kids run and play, eat lots of food and Santa even comes for a visit! I think Tegen thinks he's too big to sit on Santa's lap... what do you think?
At least this year he didn't personally ask Santa for an I-pod touch (although it made his list again this year).

Talen LOVES it when Santa stops by for a visit. He gets SO excited!!!

This was Tessa's first experience with Santa and she didn't even cry. I was impressed. She pretty much just looked at him like what is on your face? And I'm pretty she grabbed the beard a couple of times.

There were several rounds of Lightening.

This was the kids White Elephant Gift Exchange....

The Adult White Elephant Gift Exchange gets funnier and cruder every year. This was a Red Neck Briefcase that Damon is sporting...

We got a lobster.... that was still ALIVE!!!

I think the funniest thing this year was the Mankini wheel. It was seriously hilarious. It had all the men in the family's faces so you could turn the wheel to see what each man would look like with a "mankini". There were even some famous faces on there- like Barack Obama. It was SO funny!!!

Ah.... the mullet and the spiked wig. LOVE it!

I didn't get pictures of every funny white elephant on here, although there were some good ones. The elephant mask made another appearance (don't ask), and there were tampon angel tree ornaments and more. It was another hilarious night. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with next year! Next it was off to get the kiddo's to bed so Santa could come hide our presents.

Ugly Holiday Sweater Party!

We went to a friend's house for a Christmas Party- an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party- in fact. It was an entire night full of side aching laughter. The white elephant gifts were hysterical. We gave a pair of MaxiFoam Slippers all decorated up and Evan actually wore them. It was too funny!
This was a fun game where you had partners (our spouses) and you had to take a pair of nylons and several balloons. The object was to blow the balloons up, stuff them in the leg openings and get them on your head as "reindeer antlers" the fastest. Somehow I ended up as the only girl to have antlers. It was pretty funny though!

This was first and second place for Ugly Sweater.... cute right? I'm thinking they should wear them all the time!!

Wow.... I have no words.....

What a fun night! Lots of good food and laughter with good friends!

Thanksgiving Breakfast...

Ed comes from a family of 9 children which means- 9 in-laws and quite a few grand kids . It gets hard for everyone to be around for the holidays while trying to accommodate in-law families too so last year we decided to do a Thanksgiving breakfast instead of dinner. We had it at our house again this year. Everyone brings something to contribute to the breakfast and the best part- the men did the cooking! It's so fun- I am very blessed to have awesome in-laws!!!
Ha ha- we were comparing babies and Aunt Triska decided to lay down next to them :)

We had four babies born in 8 months this year. I am so happy that Tessa will have cousins her age to play with... even if they are all boys!

We had a delicious, fabulous dinner at my parents house and had a great time playing games and laughing. I felt so blessed this Thanksgiving as I have MUCH to be thankful for! I am so very thankful for my family- they are the best! I am grateful I have a warm home and food to eat. And with this crazy economy I am extremely grateful that Ed and I both have great jobs. I asked each child what they are thankful for and Tegen said our home, Tray said food and Talen said his mom and dad. Wow! I am impressed that they didn't say the Wii and all their toys. Maybe, just maybe, we are doing something right as parents. Next it was on to Black Friday shopping and putting up the holiday decorations... bring on Christmas!!!