Christmas Evening with the Kreider's

By this time, I'm just done taking pictures for the day so I don't have much. 

We beat the Lindholm's and the Nihill's.

The Lindholm's left from Papa Berries to spend some time with Thomas' family.

Then they stopped at their house so that Alyson could bring her car to show Dave. 

The kids checked out Grandma and Papa's village. 

Everyone finally showed up, except baby Miryn.

She fell asleep so they left her at their house with Nate's mom who was in town. 

We missed her. 

You can tell 3 different people were taking pictures.

We're all looking in different directions...ha ha. 

Presley is holding the doll to represent Miryn.

That was not quite the same as having her there with us. 

We did stockings and Harper got a new hairbrush that she tried out on Samee. 

But the favorite gift of all this year was Hawaiian Donkey Balls.

Do you like my balls?

You want to try my salty balls?

My balls are big (or small or chewy or tasty).

Oh, the laughter!!

Logan received a Donkey Balls tank top that he put on right away. 

A very tired mom and dad!!

Great Christmas Memories this year!!

Christmas Afternoon at Papa Berries

Harper slept quite a while in the car on the way to Papa Berries house.

We stopped at mom and dad's house first to deliver a few presents and then we headed over to Papa Berrie's house.  We were the first ones there. 

Papa was happy to tell us about his "major award" he won for placing first in his age bracket for 

The Cable Bridge Run.

And then he showed us his "major award" and told us his mom (104 years old) is quite proud of him. 

Papa Berries also showed us the newspaper results. 

I love that he has all of our names and times circled and highlighted.

(Thomas' is on the back side of this paper)

We just love him so much. 

We measured Logan and Papa and Logan has grown taller than Papa but when I took the picture, Papa went up on his tippy toes to tease Logan. 

Harper found the candy dish and Ry had some important decisions to make. 

Everyone started showing up and we were ready to open presents. 

Cristy let Ry help her pass out presents this year. 

Ry was a good taste tester of the turkey. 

This year we had a teen table. 

(they ate alot of the rolls, next year I need to bring two bags)

After dinner these three played on Natalie's new IPad. 

Presley was happy to snuggle Miryn. 

Harper was happy to snuggle with Samee.

Cristy was happy to get some teenage snuggles with Logan. 

Tricia and Danny are expecting a baby at the end of May.

(she's about 17 weeks here, love that baby bump)

Papa, Rylan, Presley, Logan and Mike played SPOONS

(Ry was the first one out and 

they're singing Na, Na, Na, Na, Hey Hey Hey, Good-bye to him)

Mike and Logan were the last two and Mike won this year. 

We headed to Grandma and Papa's at about 6:30 for our Christmas with the Kreider's. 

Christmas Morning at our House

Christmas Morning was finally here!!

All the kids slept up in the boys' room on Christmas Eve. 

I heard them wake and start playing soccer at 6:30. 

Daddy went to get them one by one at 7:15.

Because of where our tree was this year, Dad had to cover their heads with their blankets and lead them right past the tree. 

(I missed him getting Presley)

(Ry had no idea how close he was to his big presents)

We waited upstairs for Grandma and Papa and passed the time playing on our electronics.

They finally arrived at 8:05 and the kids sat on the stairs for a quick picture.

Then they leaned over to see the stockings.

Finally, Dad said they could go.

The kids each found their present from Santa.

Skis and boots for Logan.

Taylor Swift concert tickets for Presley.

Skis for Rylan.

And a cradle and ironing board for Harper.

We opened up our other presents. 

Then we went to the front room and opened up our stockings. 

We had a nice breakfast with Grandma and Papa Nelson and got ready for the drive to the Tri-Cities. 

The girls got a little rest in while we drove. 

Wbat a great start to Christmas!!

Christmas Eve 2014

I'm always so busy on Christmas Eve and the kids do a pretty great job of entertaining themselves on this day.  It was actually rainy today and they played super ball in the garage (Presley asked me to go to Big 5 and buy them a play ball and I did),  watched Christmas movies, played Legos, painted ornaments, and colored wooden Santas. 

About 4:30 Grandma and Papa Nelson came over for a nice Christmas Eve dinner. 

Rylan read his Christmas story at dinnertime. 

We tracked Santa making his way over the Pacific Ocean.

We opened up our Christmas PJ's.

And gave eachother big hugs

Papa and Grandma left and Dad read "Twas the Night Before Christmas"

We cleaned up the dishes. 

We set out cookies and the magic key.

We made one last bid to get on the nice list by rubbing Dad's feet. 

All the kids were tucked in up in the boys' room by 9:00.

And Santa made a stop at 3910 Sunridge Lane.

Merry Christmas Eve!!