Christmas fun

Christmas 2009 was especially awesome, I did not have to work on either the 'Day' or 'Eve of Christmas'...I think that has only happened once since I started working as a nurse. After several tries we talked Scott's parents into coming down to celebrate the holiday with us. They flew in and we had a great time, just hanging out and enjoying good food and company. Erin & Shayne came down to visit but had to get back before it was too dark. We went down to Temple Square and met up with Brent & Emily to see the lights and have hot chocolate.

Christmas Eve was fun with some yummy fondue and then opening of jammies.

To bed for a while and then to hear the kids wake up. I guess I imagined them sneaking out to look at their presents and then excitedly coming in to wake us up. I could hear Jorden go out there and could barely hear a comment of, "I didn't ask for a bike..." Oh no, I thought it was ruined for him, but Scott went out there and I sheepishly stayed in bed waiting for the fun of little kids coming in begging me to wake up and see what Santa brought them. I waited and then realized this was not going to happen so I got up about the time Scott's parents came upstairs and the fun began.

My brother and his family stopped by on their way to Sara's mom's house and then my mom & dad and Becky came.

More presents and then we had Christmas dinner of ham, rolls, cheesy potatoes, salad, corn and chocolate-layer dessert. It was very yummy and quite fun!

Debbie & Jared VanHouten

I can't believe my little sister got married, it was a beautiful, clear day and the Oquirrh Temple is absolutely gorgeous. The wind was a tad cold...but ahhh the memories.

Jared's family moved into my parent's ward just before I graduated high school and flew the coop, so I don't really remember them, but Debbie and Jared grew-up together and so it was fitting that the reception was held at the church--but it was decorated awesome, you wouldn't recognize it as the cultural hall...and the food, *ahhhh* a quesadilla bar, heaven I tell you.

We went against Jared's wishes and tag-teamed to decorate the car, complete with a llama pinata, it was perfect. I know she is happy and we welcome Jared to the family!

One week till Christmas

No, we didn't fall off the planet, and we have done 'stuff' since Scott's birthday. Halloween was fun, we got together with our friends, the Rawlins and carved pumpkins and had pizza. I didn't have to work that night so I took the boys trick-or-treating...The big boys were storm troopers and Garrett was Alvin Chipmunk--the horde of sugar we aquired lasted more than a day so that was a record.

Thanksgiving was spent at my parent's house with a lot of family and good food--my dad's stuffing surely hit a new level of perfection and Debbie's 'bacon-wrapped' turkey was to-die-for. We had a rousing game of Nertz while the men tried to watch "Star Trek"...as the ladies got more animated the volume was turned up a notch. And with all the kids running around we only had one injury (I am so glad Hailey did not cut her finger off!) When we got home we set-up our Christmas decorations...along with a gate to keep the young curious one out of the decor.

Recently we met up with my family again to see the lights at Temple Square, the weather was amenable and the scene spectacular! It wasn't too cold, and the kids were sufficiently bundled, so much that Jorden was complaining the whole time about sweating to death, poor kid, making him wear a coat...we are so mean. ;) We also were entertained by the 2nd Grade Christmas Around the World Program at Jorden's school--he was front and center and the only kid not doing the actions or even moving while singing, it was pretty funny...

Christmas is coming sooner than I feel ready for, we can't wait to have Scott's parents here to celebrate with us. I need to go clean up "Grandma's Room", as Cam calls it--I have had my statements for Flex Spending littering every free inch of space on the bed. So until our next post, hopefully it will be before Garrett's 2nd birthday...have a good one!