Christmas #1

Last Friday (21st) morning we piled in the car after Daniel got home from pulling a 24 hour shift without any sleep and drove to Kansas City to spend our first of 3 Christmas's. All of my siblings were there (except for my youngest brother who is serving a mission in Chile who we got to talk to Christmas Eve) as well as Opa (my grandfather) who came all the way from Lethbridge, Alberta to be with us. Adelaide loved playing with Opa. He would be sitting on the couch and she would bring him toy after toy to play with her. He was so sweet with her and always played along.

There was the annual rib dinner on Saturday night compliments of Martin and Mari. The ribs were extremely good this year and we appreciated all their hard work. We had originally planned to go south to Chanute, Kansas on Sunday to spend the day with Daniel's grandparents, but were un-invited after an ice storm blew through. The roads down in Chanute were pretty bad, so Daniel's grandmother advised us not to make the trip. We were all pretty bummed out; we don't get down to the farm very often. Instead, we went to church with my family and then the kids played in the snow with their Uncle Seth.

Monday, Christmas Eve, was spent taking the annual family photo, the boys played their football game, we sang Christmas carols, read Love Notes (notes to each family member that say why we love them), and played games.

Tuesday morning we were awoken to my parents blaring Christmas music at 7am. My dad was showered and dressed (which in all the years growing up my dad tortured us by taking FOREVER to get ready in the morning...we couldn't open gifts until all of the family members were accounted for...complete torture for a kid), and my mom was dancing around finding herself quite amusing. I was just grateful it was't any earlier than 7. We opened gifts, ate breakfast, then packed up the car again to head to the Lake to spend a few days with Daniel's family.

Opa with all the grandkids. L-R Lily, Alicia, Addi, Ryan, Tristan, Luke

The boys looking tough after the football game. L-R Martin, Daniel, Tristan, Seth, Mitchell

Opening presents Christmas morning. Alicia loved her Hannah Montana doll and Addi loved her duck slippers and new animal books.

Tristan was excited about his car steering wheel game from my parents and his new Nautica bath robe from Santa (not pictured).