Our Fun-filled Christmas

Just a warning before you start reading this: it will be extremely long because we had more than a week long vacation with something new planned every day.

The Monday before we left we tried to make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and icing, until the icing wasn't setting up fast enough, and then we tried peanut butter. Needless to say we were able to get them to stand long enough for the kids to decorate them, but not much longer.

Before we left Las Vegas to head to Utah for the holidays so we had Cory and Lindsey over for dinner and to exchange the gifts we had for each other. We also let each of the kids open one present (presents that we had for them that we didn't want to take with us). They each also got to open a present that some friends had given them too (hats for the boys and a sweater for Ashley).

Cory and Lindsey gave us a huge gift basket with movies, treats, and toys. It was totally awesome. And Jordon had to get in his Avery loves before we left.

We left Friday night after Ethan got home from school and Jordon got home from work. We went to Salina to spend the weekend with my parents and sister. My brother and sister-in-law (and family) were there to visit too so we were able to spend some time with them for a little bit before they left Saturday. My parents let us open our presents from them on Saturday afternoon. The boys got a race car set and Ashley got a princess book with a playmat and princess pieces. Jordon and I got some kitchen supplies we have been wanting. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Saturday night we also went driving around looking at Christmas lights. We had a great time.

Afterwards the kids helped Grandma find some costumes and acted out the nativity for us. Sam was a sheep and we even got him to say "Baa". It was so cute.

Sunday morning we loaded up and headed on our way to Brigham City. For our long car rides I had packed some presents for the kids (books and movies) for them to open along the way as we needed.

We stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Felts house that night for Sunday dinner. It was great to see everyone again. After dinner Grandma had some reindeer cookies for the kids to make. Ethan and Ashley made theirs (Sam was being a stinker so Ethan made his) and then they were done. The rest of the kids there kept making cookies for everyone.

Monday we dropped the kids off with Grandma Armitstead and Jordon and I were able to finish our Christmas shopping. Sadly though while there Fergus was let out to go potty and he ran away. We are pretty sure he was the dog that was later taken to the vet after being hit by a truck. He ended up with a broken pelvis and the lady that brought him in said to fix him and if no one claimed him she would take him home. We are hoping he is now being taken care of very well and we miss him terribly.

Tuesday evening we spent at Grandpa and Grandma Hunter's house playing their Wii and just having a good time. Later that night (and I mean way later), I was able to go into Thermo Fisher and see all my friends there. It was so fun to see them all again and catch up on the things going on in their lives. (This picture was from before our trip. The kids put a blanket on Fergus while he was laying on the couch.)

Wednesday night we drove down to Clearfield for a Christmas party with my family. It was such a blast. We first had dinner, then decorated cookies, had a nativity skit, did a white elephant gift exchange, and then finished the night with Christmas bingo.

For the nativity Ashley and Sam were angels while Ethan played the part of the sheep.

Christmas Eve was spent at the Felt's house again for the traditional party. We started the evening out with pictures of the grandkids with the grandparents. Ashley was throwing a fit.

Then we had a good dinner followed with presents from grandparents and the gift exchange. Santa also came for everyone to have a turn sitting on his lap. Sam wasn't too sure about Santa, Ashley cried and wouldn't let Grandma go, and Ethan was so excited to get to sit on his lap he could hardly wait for his turn.

After the party there we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Armitstead's house to open one more present.

Grandma made pajamas for each of the kids.

Christmas morning we went to Grandpa and Grandma Hunter's house where Santa had left lots of fun presents for us. Grandpa and Grandma also gave us a Wii which has been much enjoyed by all (I will post some pictures of that in a later post). Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!

After opening all the presents and playing for a little, we headed back down to Armitstead's for Christmas lunch. While we were there we got to see Jake and Alisa (Dave's son and daughter-in-law) and their cute family and catch up with them. Their oldest is 3 years old so Sam and Ashley had a hayday playing with their new friend.

On Saturday night we had tickets to the Jazz game and we were lucky enough to have Jake and Alisa and Eric and Melanie go with us. We had such a fun time.

Sunday evening we went to Avery's baby blessing and enjoyed seeing even more family there. We headed home Monday morning and are glad to be home. We are now planning on lots of fun for New Year's Eve tonight and will post pictures from that.