Happy New Year!!!- and Christmas too!

Christmas 2010

I know this is a bit behind... but, what else is new?

Here is our adventures over Christmas Break!

Twas the night before Christmas!!! Let the jammie tradition live on!!

Christmas Eve has become my favorite part of Christmas! Mark takes the kids all day to visit all of the single sisters in the ward, and I finish all the little details at home. It really has been such a blessing for our kids--I'm kind of jealous.... One of these years, I want to have it all together so I can go too! After they get home- we finally get to be all together share great anticipation, and excitement for the big night! One of our favorites is reenacting the Nativity! Josh did an amazing job as the narrator.

After they got home from their deliveries, we got together with the VanTassell's, for a tasty dinner and then settle into getting costumes etc ready for the Nativity. The kids love acting it out, and through the years it has actually become a quiet, peaceful

time reading in Luke.

At the end of the night, we of course set out cookies for Santa and Allie spread her special Reindeer food all over the lawn. Allie made sure it was a tasty smell so the Reindeer would not miss us for sure!

CHRISTMAS MORNING! Maddie was so excited to get new bedding! She was tired of the "Baby bedding" we had from the last house.... and wishing for something a little more grown up! We told her keep wishing.... so the surprise was so fun!!

Zack's gift to me was ingenious!!! Wouldn't any Mom- die for a gift like that?

Josh wrapped up a big gift for Zack..... Zack could hardly wait to unwrap it. Inside it was "Peace, Love and Joy!" Nice one Josh! :)

And the final gift for each of them-- tucked way under the tree...... was Baby Stuff! "Why?" Maddie kept asking! Josh kept looking at the ultra sound like it was some sonar reading from some glorious trip we might take! Maddie thought it was babysitting tools to help with her new jobs around the ward! Finally they all figured it out.....BABY #5--DUE IN JULY!!!!

At first Josh said.....well.... "This is an unusual Christmas!" Now they are all exstatic!!

Two days after Christmas we headed for California! The first Grandkid -Megan got married in the Sacramento Temple. We spent a day beforehand in Sacramento, and saw a few sights!

We loved the chance to meet up with Rich and Heidi and kids and experience a little of "Old Town Sac!" Fun times together- the kids loved running on the wooden walkways, and seeing all the old buildings!

Then of course, the next morning was Megan and Jake's wedding! It was beautiful! I didn't have my camera coming out of the Temple-- But....Everything went so well, and Megan looked awesome! It was so fun for the kids to wait outside the temple for them to come out. It was kind of crazy seeing one of their cousin's get married! Afterwards, on our way to Reno, we went to In N Out! Mmm Mmm Tasty!

Heidi and Clay did a stellar job with the reception! Everything was amazing! Even the craziness of Christmas and all... Heidi never even got frazzled!

Allie was in Heaven ALL night! This was her first wedding (old enough to understand) so she was loving everything! Here she is wearing Debbie's boots- running around with all the girls!

Em did a magnificent job with all the photography!!

You should see some of the shots! Amazing!

During the Reception...Due to Heidi and Clay being so popular .... Our large group was urged off the tables, and out of the room for a bit- (wouldn't have anything to do with all the kids standing around the chocolate fountain or anything :) We took advantage of the moment with everyone all there, and did our Annual Gift exchange in the RS room. Mom sent each of us an awesome Nauvoo quilt ! (I guess mom didn't get the memo we were doing white elephants!--so she gave REAL gifts!) Thanks mom- you totally didn't need to do that- but we all LOVE the quilt and think it's awesome!!!

This year, since everyone wasn't there, (and it seemed silly to waste money on mailing) we decided to do something simple with those that were there. Everyone brought white elephant gifts. One of the best gift exchanges yet!! So fun to see what everyone came up with!

Richard started the night by opening a fine gift..... just for him!!! Due to his comments last year... "I would rather shovel snow wearing batman underpants than put up all of Mom's Christmas Stuff!" We thought we would put him to the test--Rich..... I'm pretty sure you never lifted a finger with the Christmas stuff! Pay Up!!

Dorothy opened a new look for everyone! None other but.... a "Bumpit!" She shared, and we all tried it on!

Johnny- and Nathan got some glorious picks with the fine piece of art, and some old lace up rollerblades- size 11!!

Heidi hit it big with none other than..... a cheezy, orthodontic smile mug! I'm sure it will come in handy!

And Josh got the finest of them all.... An autographed picture of Dan!

Throughout the evening we went back and forth to see parts of the wedding- but not be too overbearing with all the hoards of people there. Seriously--- packed!! We had so much fun being there and playing in Reno!

Heidi and Clay didn't have a lot of time because they were hosting the Jorgensen Reunion, and heading off to Washington for the other reception. But, it was so much fun to go and see their new house and be a part of it all!

While in Reno-- nothing was uneventful! Josh and the boys were playing football in the hall and John happened to fall on Josh---We thought Josh was really milkin' it.... but found out, he had actually broken his hand, and has been in a cast ever since! Bummer for the basketball-- but he's hoping it will make him a stronger shooter! That's what you get for playing in the hotel hall!

The next morning we said our goodbye's and headed to California so we could beat the storm!

Obviously.... We didn't beat the storm! The normal 3 hour drive took 10 hours!! Total party in a rental van! They required chains over Donner pass- so we chained up and lived it up! Love traveling a long time in Rental cars, no music, no movies, just our good old voices! So much Fun!!!

It was a great sight to roll into California, with no snow! Dan and Julie painted the town red for us! Our first day, we headed to the City! It was Gorgeous.... One of the clearest days I had ever seen!

Dan and Julie pulled out all the stops! They loaded all their bikes (and more) onto their trailer... and towed them around, so we could bike The Golden Gate Bridge!!! It was seriously one of the funnest things we've ever done in the Bay Area--- So cool to be up so high, looking across the ocean!

The kids did awesome! They were a little scared at first, but ended up loving every minute- and wanted to bike back across!

Meanwhile, Dan and Jules were champs, and waited in the crazy traffic getting across the bridge. All--- so we could have an awesome ride! Thanks so much Dan and Jules!!

Afterwards, we headed into town to show the kids a few fun stops! Ghirardelli was definitely one of their favorites! All nine of us shared a cookie to lap up the experience!

The kids also loved seeing all the Trolley's ride along the road-- So fun!

The next few days were awesome! Hanging out at Dan and Julie's, Rich and Heidi and Emily and Chad can't be beat! One of the moments we headed over to the church to play "Cave Man Ball" Dan's (old couch, duct taped up to make balls) creativity is always a hit!

The Intensity was Thick!

We also went and saw the Oakland Temple-- so pretty and cool to be around!

The kids loved going to the "San Francisco Creamery" afterwards! Such tasty Ice Cream!

We played a little "Just Dance!"

New Years was definitely the Shiggidy Bomb Dizzle!!! We played all kinds of games.... such as, the candy bar game (unwrap the candybar-- layers and layers- with socks on and two butter knives!)

The kids finally unwrapped it and dug in!! Loving that sugar!

We also played the paper-bag game. Always a hit! Allie did awesome, and was able to get soooooo low!! Julie and Heidi made awesome treats and tasty goods! Yummy guac, chocolate chip cookies, shrimp cocktail etc. etc. We were in heaven with Julie's cooking. On the third day of breakfast (like a restaurant- but better) Julie asked Josh what she should make. He said "It doesn't really matter what you make, because the last two days have been the best breakfasts of my life!!" That gives you a little hint of how my cooking is! We also got to go out to some tasty finds..... awesome Thai and Mexican food!! Thanks Dan and Julie for an awesome time!

And Finally.... LET THE NEW YEAR RING!!!! We all hooped it up with some crazy, noisy racquet!!! Ears were ringing! So excited for 2011!