Thanksgiving Dinner for Christmas?

Since we didn't have our annual traditional Thanksgiving feast (we were cruising) we made that fantastic turkey dinner for Christmas day. Aside from the over-salted gravy that tasted like the ocean, everything tasted great! Andrea figured out the next day that if you add a LOT of water to the gravy, it tastes better.

Not gourmet, but DELICIOUS! Especially the brined turkey.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011!!!!!!!!!!

Since Christmas is on Sunday this year, we made the kids wait until after Church, AND after a family picture, to open their stockings and presents. They survived.

Amara loves her panda hat . . . her latest favorite colors are black and white.

Santa gave Amara a Mrs. Santa bear from Build-a-Bear Workshop.

Aleya LOVES her new kitty hat. Now, if only it could get cold around here. . .

Aleya received Santa Bear Build-a-Bear from Santa Claus.

Is Santa trying to say something about the way I smell? . . . body wash, body spray, deodorant, mouthwash . . . Hey! A shaver and shaving gel! I'm feeling manly now!

This is SO FITTING! My big fun-sucking party pooper!

This box feels empty. Hmmmm . . .

Orrin is trying out his EXTRA-STRENGTH deodorant.

Andrea was too lazy to change clothes after church. Everyone else changed into their Christmas jammies.

Mom wants Joseph to read more than just texts. Sherlock Homes is cool . . .

Orrin was thrilled to get the lastest edition of the Diary of the Wimpy Kid series.

I think it's a giant cell phone!

Aleya exclaimed that she will share the pony with Amara.

Aleya was the most grateful and most excited at unwrapping all the gifts. Did I mention she also got the MOST GIFTS!?!

WIPEOUT for Kinect on XBOX 360. This should be FUN!

The Little House on the Prairie complete collection.

A new cover for Joseph's iPod.

A new cover for Orrin's iPod.

OH YEAH! JIMMER TIME!

Orrin gave Andrea new pants and a sweater for Christmas.

The boys received a new guitar amp and guitar lessons for the next six months.

A fun stocking stuffer . . . but tough to keep on if you have tiny ears . . .

Aleya loves her new doll and the matching dance dresses.

The girls love their new BRIGHT girlie bedding.

Amara received an iPod case AND Joseph's old iPod as a Christmas bonus (for straight A's).

ALL DONE!

Not a Creature Was Stirring . . . Except the Cats

The children were nestled all snug in their beds . . . Not a creature was stirring . . .

Except for our cats.

Merry Christmas to all, and to ALL a GOOD NIGHT! (2:30AM)

Christmas Eve 2011

This Christmas Eve we were able to webcam with Christian's family back in Utah. They have a huge gathering on Christmas Eve and we participated over the internet. Our kids chatted with their cousins and played some piano and guitar Christmas songs for their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

After the webcam, Christian read to us from Luke and we did our annual Nativity reenactment.

Aleya wanted to be the angel again and stand on the couch.

Aleya guided the shepherd to the baby Jesus.

Orrin was the wise man from afar (looks like the Orient).

Next, the kids opened their Christmas pajamas--and ties.

The girls also got matching doll pajamas. The catch is that the weather has been strangely warm this year, so the kids will be a little hot in their flannel pajamas.

The kids look darling . . . now change to cooler pajamas and GET TO BED! It's 11PM!

Blog Updates Will Be Posted Soon! (before the New Year)

Don't worry . . . I'll finish updating this blog by the New Year, so check back later!

Merry Christmas Eve 2011!

Annual Family Gingerbread Project

We actually worked on and completed our Gingerbread village BEFORE Christmas!

We had lots of leftover Halloween Candy to really make them tasty!

Our village came out quite colorful!

I especially like the Blueberry Malt-o-Meal roof shingles.

Orrin's candy train was the first to be devoured . . . at least the candy treats inside the cars.