My first attempt at using Picasa and making subway art...

After a long hard day...

When we got home today, Maddax ran to his room, grabbed his pajamas, got some chocolate from his Christmas candy, and curled up on my new chair to enjoy it. This kid is hilarious.

Christmas 2011

     Christmas came very quickly this year. With such a busy month, it was hard to believe it was upon us. We were able to see a lot of our family and friends this month between a wedding, funeral and regularly scheduled Christmas gatherings. I think that was my favorite part about Christmas this year. I loved being able to see so many of the people we love and enjoy being around.
    On Christmas Eve we went with my parent's ward to do their traditional 30 minute get together where we sang some hymns and heard a few testimonies. It was short, simple, no fanfare or decorations, just getting together to celebrate Christ. It is the best way to start Christmas festivities.
   Afterward, we went to my parents house for games and dinner. As always, we had fun and at times, got a little too competitive.

Maddax stole my camera on Christmas Eve and the following morning. Seems everyone was aware except for me!

   Christmas morning we had to wake the kids up at 8am. It was still early for us after staying up to 2am due to missing parts and uncooperative equipment....but Kolby's parents came over for breakfast. We had cinnamon chip french toast and it was DELISH. It will be our new tradition. It was very nice sharing the morning with them.

Peggy, Kim and Kolby

   The kids got way too many gifts and I can truly see how abundantly blessed we are. I think next year I will scale it down by at least half and give it to other families. Between grandparents, aunts & uncles, and santa, the kids are covered!

Baby brother got married

First half of the day...more to come!

Fa la la la

We are still around, living, breathing and taking it all in. We've each been super busy, and I don't have much time to update now, but I will in due time  :)  Here's a picture of us yesterday with Santa.

Sunday morning entertainment

He thinks he is funny, doing a dance with daddy's glasses.

Halloween

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

He is happy, but do you know why? Because he got a cheesy watch at the ward party (see on his left wrist??) It's always those cheap things that make their day, hmmm, something to think on when Christmas shopping!

Getting ready to surprise Gma and Gpa

Maddax would ring the bell, then knock while saying 'knock knock' at every.single.door.

It was cute, he finally understood it this year.

Driving through the middle of the night

We were able to spend a day in Disneyland with my entire family

(That is nobody we know in front of Mickey, but this lady was  adamant about her dramatic photo in front of the pumpkin, so we'll forever memorialize her here.)

A day in Huntington Beach. It was forecasted to be in the 80's. It wasn't even near 80 degrees. That is Hannah in the coat huddled in a sand hole to keep warm! But we had fun anyways-

Long (very long) drive home.