Christmas 2009!

Had a Christmas get together at my parents.
I forgot my camera and no one else took pictures either. We had a great meal and played the white elephant gift exchange game. There was no stealing...some asked to trade after they were all opened and adults always are very good to trade with the kids. We listened to a great Story read by Lynnley my SIL before playing. Always a fun game to play. My sister and her family were there which is always great. Here are pictures of her girls.




Our home Christmas Eve/Christmas Morning

For dinner on Christmas Eve I made mexican pizza and bean and cheese burritos. None of us like olives so I decided to cut an olive in half and put one in a pizza slice hidden and one in a burrito. The ones who found them would get a prize...but they had to eat it too. This year it was cash and Savannah found the pizza one and Josie got the burrito one. It was funny to watch them eat, looking for an olive they don't like, but wanted. I got the idea from my SIL Lynnley's family. I changed it a bit. They always have rice pudding with sliced almonds for Christmas Eve. There is a hidden whole almond in it and who ever finds it gets a gift. I always love adding a new tradition or two every Christmas to add to the ones we already have. Plus, we always sing the "12 Days of Christmas" every Christmas Eve and get to open one gift.

Cookies and a special juice made by Josie...for Santa.

and we couldn't forget carrots for the reindeer. We leave these on the porch.


Christmas Morning
They loved the blankets they received (from a special friend) the night before...they came out wrapped in them.



What a face!

All the bows she got in her stocking...in her hair at once.


We played a game before heading to my brothers home. It was great fun and can get pretty competitive but hilarious. I am hoping these are the things my kids remember when they are on there own. It is the times that I do when I was a kid!

At my brother's home...Christmas Night. (we did the rice pudding/whole almond for dessert and Tim got the prize and I got a prize for winning the card game.)

Enjoying the Trampoline my nephews got for Christmas.



Wireless connection for DS is cool.


A family tradition card game of "May I". (Very similar to Rummy and Phase 10)


Josie learning to flip!


My kids and my nephews (Rawlings was napping)


My brothers girls in Missouri...we missed having them here.



At my in-laws...day after Christmas.

Josie and cousin Hayley


Playing outside with Fancy...Hayley's new puppy.


Everyone loved Fancy!






These 3 are always on the computer!


Love Grandparents were very generous.





Tim was so excited to finally get a bass guitar.

I think he will be sharing with Addison.


I got a new bread machine(mine broke awhile ago)and a large sauce pan...hurray!