Christmas 2011

Santa visited!!




Growing up, I spent every holiday with big groups of family. We would go to my mom's side and then my dad's side and just enjoy celebrating with everyone. Dave lived away from his extended family most of his growing up and so they spent a lot of their holidays with their own family and at times a few friends and family. So, our idea of how to spend the day is a little different. This Christmas, we finally just stayed at home the whole day. Dave was very happy and it was actually very nice. My parents came over in the morning to watch the kids open their presents. We had breakfast together. With Christmas being on Sunday, we went to church. Then, we had my parents and grandpa and grandma over for dinner. Afterwards we played some games, visited, and enjoyed a visit from my brother, Jarom, and his family.










My nephew, Dillon, and niece, Sadie, sure love Quaid!! :)





It really was a wonderful, laid back Christmas. We enjoyed it very much. And, what a special time we had with our new little Quaid. Our first Christmas as a family of 6! Awesome!

Events leading up to Christmas! :)

We started out our Christmas season this year with a great concert from Paisley. She has been singing in a group called "Tavaci" this year and has been loving it. They sing fun songs with dancing and actions and have a great time. They put on a big Christmas concert which was wonderful!! Avery was so funny. She danced and did the actions along with them in the audience the whole time. She enjoyed it so much that I put her in Tavaci in January. So, at the next concert, both my girls will be up there! :) Super fun!

Here are some pics of my beautiful girl at her concert.







We had many fun get-togethers during Christmas. Our first one was with my mom's side of the family at my grandpa and grandma's house. We don't get together with them that often, so it was really great to see each other and visit. Of course, great-grandma and grandpa had presents for all the little kids. :)



Quaid (at 2 1/2 months) with my sister-in-law, Stephanie


My grandpa and grandma Hill with our family

Christmas Eve morning we got together with my parents, my grandpa and grandma Johnson, and my two brothers and their families for my family's celebration. We had a really good breakfast and opened presents. Grandpa and grandma spoil all the kids rotten, so we spent a good long time opening gifts. It was such a great time together. I love seeing my family of 5 growing up is now is now 16 1/2. :) Here are some pics of the morning fun:













Christmas Eve evening we went to Dave's brother's for a Pendlebury get together. We do it every year and have several fun traditions. First, a YUMMY prime rib dinner, then, a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas by Uncle Dennis, then, the grandkids act out the story of the First Christmas while it is read from the Bible, and then...presents!

This year, Paisley was Mary, Quaid was the baby Jesus, Easton was a wise man, and Avery was an angel. It is always fun to watch them in this tradition!





Here are some pics from the rest of the night:





I guess the night got a little crazy and I didn't get many pictures. But, it was a wonderful evening.

Next....CHRISTMAS!!!