Christmas: Part I

This year Joe affectionately likened our Christmas Day to a Blitzkrieg battle.  I have no idea if that battle was particularly fast/busy, but all I could envision when he said this was "The Flight of the Bumblebee" and if you think the way I do about it then you have successfully grasped what our Christmas Day is like every year.  

Joe and I got to bed around 1:30, then of course Noah got up about 10 minutes later.  We handled that quickly.  Then at 3:30 Jake comes in. I tell him to go back to bed.  Well, that lasted about an hour.  I tried telling him to get back to bed, but then I felt guilty, because my Dad ALWAYS got up early with us when we were kids, so I got up.  Dang that guilt.  After we all woke up we began stage one of our battle/flight:  The homefront...

Christmas: Part II

After phase 1, at home, we go over to my parents' home between 6-630.  My parents are always up and waiting for us with the fire going.

Christmas: Part III

After my parents' we make it to my grandparents' home for breakfast between 7:30-8.  This year was a little different, because we actually beat my uncle Rob down there.  He's always the first one there cooking.  So, we got down to business and began breakfast.  Then we just lounge around and visit.

 Nap Time...already

Mia watched Noah, so I could cook

 Hayley and Travis

 Levi and Josh

 Everyone waiting

 The kitchen, not as crowded at this point

 Chelsea

 Me and Fran

I mainly put this on here, because it is the morning and everyone is already kicking back Diet Pepsi like no other.  If we were able to drink, we'd all be alcoholics.

 Grandma and Grandpa opening their present from our family

 Grandma LaRue

Grandpa Bob

Christmas: The End

After we go back to my grandparents' for dinner, we go to Joe's parents' for dessert and to exchange gifts there.  Of course by this time, the battery life of my camera was just about gone, but I did get one shot to prove that we made it.

Nathan and Elizabeth helping pass out the gifts, while all the sane adults "supervise"

I wonder...

I wonder how many more years this will last...

Better enjoy it while I can!

Trip to the Oakland Temple

 This year for Christmas Eve we headed down to Oakland to see the Temple lights.  It was a stunning night, overlooking the bay, just a little breezy.  After we walked the grounds we went into the visitors center and looked at all the centers that were set up.  Then at the end of the evening, the sister missionaries sang and played instruments.  It was wonderful.  Not only did it kill time that night for the kids, but it allowed us to spend time teaching the kids what Christmas is really about.  On the way home we stopped at Cordelia Junction, which is a must, and ate at Denny's.  By the time we got home the boys had crashed.

A shot of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jake, a little too excited to be leaving.

Christmas Lights

One of my favorite things to do during Christmas time is to go look at Christmas lights.  I love it and I'm trying to instill that love in the boys.  However, the rain was not helping matters.  Luckily, it slowed to a light drizzle and I forced everyone out of the car to go look at the lights.  Joe and Jake have learned to just go with this type of craziness and Noah...well he has no say.  Luke on the other hand has not learned that when Mom wants something, it's better to just go with it.  After he figured out that we were not getting back in the car, he got over himself and began to enjoy everything there was to see.

 Luke, with his happy face on :)

Poor Noah

 Jake with the Grinch

 My Boys!

 Our family shot.  Luke went back into his shy mode, but he's there hiding behind Joe.

Joe and I, in the rain.  His hair always handles the elements so much better.

Desi's Tree

 Noah

 Mom

 Jaclyn

 Jake

 Me and Krista.  

I look a little crazy...just ignore that part...

 The finished product

 Grandma and Grandpa

 Krista, Kathryn, Jillian, Chelsea, and Jaclyn

Some of Desi's friends from high school that still find time to come out