Christmas Eve

We struggled a little bit this year to find something to do on Christmas Eve. My mom heard about a great live nativity out in Harrisville, so we bundled up and went to see it!


It was really a great reminder of what Christmas is all about

Then we headed back to my uncle's house for doughnuts, hot chocolate, and little fun!

This is my SUPER COOL grandma who turns 90 this month...isn't she a sport?! :)

Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Kylie has been wanting to get her hair cut for a while now. But in July when we found out that our friend Cami had luekemia we decided we would grow it out a little bit longer and donate it to Locks of Love.
We traveled to our favorite stylist, Aunt Amy, and Kylie got 10 inches cut off!


It was a little more than I was anticipating and I was a little worried about how she would react with REALLY short hair, but this was the result...

With a smile like that it doesn't matter what length your hair is!

PeRfEcTiOn

How to make the PERFECT gingerbread village:
Step 1: Buy a cute little kit from your local grocery store

Step 2: Ready your tools

Step 3: Carefully read the instructions
Step 4: Enlist the help of a master builder


And...VIOLA!




Merry Christmas from Ghetto Village!

December

December came and it was time to get ready for Christmas!
House decorated and tree trimmed...check!

Christmas outfits on...check!
Annual Trip to Christmas Village...check!






Gifts from Grandma and Grandpa...check!
Hooded towels for the babies;
masks, swords, and capes for the boys;
tutus and wands for the girls;

and thermal underwear for the young at heart!
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

BLIZZARD 2010

Do you remember the BLIZZARD of 2010? No...well that's probably because it was the blizzard that really wasn't. BUT there was just enough darkness, snow, and hazardous driving conditions that I got these two lovelies..



to sleepover at my house...and who says Moms don't get sleepovers?!

Blizzard of 2011 bring it on!

FaR. FaR, AwAy!

Kody's family lives in Oregon or "Far, far, away," is how my girls describe it. So this year we spent Thanksgiving with our far, far, away grandparents and family! It took us an extra two hours to get up there because of the bad roads but it was worth it!
The girls loved cooking and playing the piano with grandma!
They loved dressing up in all the fun things grandma pulled out!


And on Black Friday while mom and dad went shopping they got all dressed up

and went down the road to see Great Grandma Nelson and
admire her jewelry collection!


There was eating, laughing, talking, and we were all worn out by the end!

It was a great Thanksgiving!

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken with my side of the family in October. My kids are at that wonderful age where they won't look at the camera but I think the pictures didn't turn out too bad!



I don't think Kody and I have taken a professional picture together since our wedding!
Both of these pictures with Kody and the girls made me laugh!
This is my whole family! 15 adults and 15 kids!Grandma and Grandpa with all the grandkids!

A picture of my family...just the ten of us!And here is one with all the adults!
It took some time, and careful planning. There were tears, attitudes, and a little pouting (and that was just the adults :))...but we got them done and won't have to take them again until someone has another baby or gets married...which I'm hoping is not too far away!