Christmas EVE

We knew the kids would be bouncing off the walls Christmas Eve Day so we were excited when my sister suggested bowling.  My parents, brother, sister, and their kids all came.  We had so much fun! 

Even Baylor had a good time!

As I looked at each of these pictures I just realized how important family is and how I hope my kids remember all these fun times with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

I never realized my husband was such a good bowler...he takes it very seriously!

After bowling we had planned on taking the kids sledding at the big hill by the elementary school but none of us adults seemed in the mood to climb up the hill.  Lucky for us there was a four wheeler and snow on the ground.  The men spent about two hours pulling the kids on sleds through the backyard and garden.

We got home kind of late but I knew the kids were still too wound up to go to bed so I let them decorate the gingerbread cookies I had bought before Thanksgiving but we hadn't had time to decorate until then.  After that we watched Arthur Christmas and at 11:00 the kids thought they better "hurry and get in bed before Santa passed our house."

Hansen Christmas Party

Our annual Hansen Christmas Party did not disappoint.  A left/right passing game with cousins, seeing Christmas Village with hot cocoa, donuts, and of course pajamas and books from grandma and grandpa!  Always a great Christmas tradition!

The Nutcracker

Whenever we are looking for fun we never have to look farther than our Grandma.  She is always spending her time and energy on some special time with us.  This time it was dinner and the Nutcracker!
We git all dolled up...including lipstick ;)

Then we headed to Ogden Pizzeria.  The might doubled as Nyah's Birthday Party and that was the classy joint she could think of.

Grandma, of course, had presents for all the girls...pajamas and robes for their American Girl Dolls!

And the Nutcracker was so much fun!  Who doesn't love a great story, dancing, fairies, and princesses!

 

My mom actually found out her sister had died earlier that day so the fact that she still wanted to share this special night with her granddaughters really touched my heart.  It was a great reminder to cherish the time we have together making memories filled with love and laughter.

ELF

When I bought these shirts last year after Christmas I had great pintrest-worthy aspirations that we would take a really funny picture for our Christmas Card.  But real life set in.  December got crazy and we have an 18 month old who will not hold still for pictures...so these will have to do :)