Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve was spent with Brian's side of the family at Sarah's house.

As usual, it was a great evening of good food and family time.  We had a chance to visit with Mimi and Poppy.  Mike and Christy made some brown sugar bacon-wrapped smokies.  They were DELICIOUS!  They were gone before you knew it.  All of the food was great, and we ate too much!  

While we were eating and visiting, Arden asked me at least twenty times if it was time to open gifts.  She was very excited.  Uncle Ryan wasn't able to be here this Christmas, so we face-timed him.  That way he could join in and see us opening his gifts!  Yay for technology!  The kids got great gifts from everyone: toys, craft stuff, clothes.  Jack got cars, a train, and even a Mater truck he can ride!  He loved them!  Halle got her first real grown-up handbag.  Arden got a beautiful pair of earrings.    

After we left Sarah and Adam's house, the girls sprinkled Reindeer food in the yard, and set out the cookies for Santa.

Christmas: Adam, Sarah, Mike, and Christy joined us Christmas morning.  It's tradition for Sarah to bring over sausage cannon balls as part of our breakfast, and for us to watch Christmas Vacation!  We love that movie and laugh every time!  It never gets old.  :)

Snowman pancakes for the kids Christmas morning

Christmas  morning is when the kids open gifts from Santa, us, and Aunt Sarah and Uncle Adam.  Santa got Arden got a new bike from Santa, Halle a pogo stick, and Jack a toy lawnmower.
Aunt Sarah showered the kids with so many gifts that I won't even begin to try to name it all!  Each got a suitcase, clothes, toys.  Arden got a talking cash register, Halle got lots of makeup, Jack got a car.  So much stuff!  The kids had a wonderful morning.   

That evening we headed to my mom's house for Christmas with my side of the family.  Since there are so many family members, we only buy gifts for the little nieces and nephews: Josh, Halle, Alyssa, Alexis, Austin, Andrew, Arden, and Jack.

We made donut snowmen for the nieces and nephews to go along with their gifts.

The evening is filled with eating nachos and tamales, and playing games.  The adults play White Elephant.  White Elephant usually isn't a wild game.... unless you're my family.  There's lots of yelling and fighting, but all in good fun.  We also played Taboo.  Once again, Taboo isn't too wild of a game.... unless you're my family.  :)  Fun times.  I was practically rolling on the ground laughing during the game.  My family is crazy!

Pauline took a pic of us at my mom's house

a pic with my sister, Pauline.  My brother, Raul, photo-bombed it.  :)