New Year's Eve

We did New Year's Eve at mom and dad's. New Year's Eve isn't as put together as Christmas eve, but its better that way. Mom and dad got pizza and us kids were in charge of the munchies for that night. The munchies make the night, they were good. Can you tell I like food. One tradition we have for New Year's eve is a grueling game of Risk. It hard to get everyone to want to play, so this year we added a twist. We did girls against guys. Us girls had a plan to drive the guys crazy. We had each planned to attack where ever our husband protected. It was hilarious. I really don't think we thought it through very well, considering the fact that game only last an hour. Normally when we play it takes at least 3. The girls lost as well. No real surprise there. I don't think in the last 5 years had a girl ever one that game with my family. At least it was fun while it lasted. Mom was right, it drove the guys crazy. We are a family for games, we also played that Logo game again. That game is awesome. I finally found a trivia game where I don't feel dumb. We played a couple rounds of sequence, another favorite of my family. We also played a game called Smart Ass. Its another trivia game that is a lot of fun. When it was time to count down on the clock, we turned the T.V. and continued to play our game. Its funny, we're not ones who really cares much to watch the ball drop. Every year its just back ground noise. When the night was over Jeff had decided that he still wanted to play a real game of risk. Seeing how it was so late and Church was in the morning we had agreed to go back and play after church. So we did. The game took us probably 5 plus hours. It was Dad, Jeff, Ben, and myself. Dad was the first to die. I followed him. However this was the best played game of Risk I have ever played. I had control of North America and almost all of Asia, minus 1 or 2 territories. I was so impressed by myself. Ben couldn't believe that I had lasted as long as I did. The game came to Jeff and Ben. It was a matter of sweeping across the board. Ben got Jeff down to I think 8 or less territories and then Jeff turned around and did the same. It went that way for a while, til they finally called it a stale mate when Ben was only left with 1 territory, but Jeff didn't have enough men to wipe him out. He literally had one guy on each territory and that was it. On Ben's 1 territory there were about 5 to 10. They said they had played long enough. What a good game. I think I have a picture on a phone somewhere, but can't find it right now. It was awesome.

Christmas with Annie

Finally last but not least, we did our Christmas with Annie, Monday the 26th. I love how it all works out every year being able to make it to each family and not all on the same day. Annie was cooking a ham for ham sandwiches. Each of us kids brought side to go along with the sandwiches. It was nice to have something simple and not heavy after the last few days of stuffing our faces. After we had all had our fill of the food we all went into the front room. Annie and Greg love to spoil their kids and grand kids, the tree was surrounded by a lot of gifts. The kids had the most fun I'm sure. All the kids got vest's, hats, scarves, and gloves that Annie made. They are so cute. Gabbi's are purple with a white trim and butterflies. Owen's are leopard print with black trim. The best part was Ellie and McKell. Ellie had BYU of course and McKell had University of Utah. It was awesome. Each of the kids also got a blanket. Each of the girls got a couple pairs of pajama's and 2 barbies. Owen got 2 large packages of hot wheels cars, couple pairs of pajama's, and a blanket. The kids were definitely spoiled, but Annie and Greg love it. I think the best part was watching the look on their faces as the kids opened their gifts. Each of the adult boys got tools. Ben got a really nice pair of pruning shears. Big enough to cut through branches about the size of a softball. Ben was so excited. Ironically enough we was out in the yard about 3 weeks before cleaning up some branches hanging over our fence and he kept saying "I wish I had a decent pair of shears." All he had was a little hand one. He couldn't wait to use it. Each of the boys also got a really nice pair of working clothes. They are now equipped to work during whatever type of weather. Each of the girls got a set of dishes. They are really nice dishes. Its a serving set of 12. The set that we got were red to match our kitchen. Now I just need to find a place for them. Ben and I got a movie basket for Annie and Greg. It had goodies and the movie 17 Miracles. I was a little worried, but both Annie and Greg said they were excited to watch it. They had mentioned that they thought their family had crossed the plains in one of those companies. It was a really fun night. Really the kids were the best part. All opening their presents and just playing. What good memories.

Christmas with Mom and Dad

I almost forgot. We had a Christmas dinner with Grandma and Grandma Williams. It was on a family Sunday at mom's house. Mom had everything set up kind of like a restaurant. It was awesome. We sat and visited while we ate. When we were done Grandpa had some gifts he wanted to hand out. He had made a book. It was a memoir of his history. He said it took him a while to put it all together. It was equipped with pictures and everything. It will be cool to see how Grandpa grew up. We in return gave them some chocolates and the kids each colored some pictures for them. I think they really enjoyed that.

After sacrament meeting at my sister's ward, we all headed to mom and dad's. It was time for our traditional Christmas breakfast. In this case it was actually brunch, but that didn't have any effect to the menu. My sister was fighting for the traditional breakfast of waffles, so she could use her fancy waffle maker. It was awesome. It can cook two waffles at a time. No more waiting forever for waffles. Along with the waffles we had very yummy eggs, courteous of Jeff and Tiffany. Ben and I were in charge of bacon. We topped the meal off with juice and chocolate milk, it was perfect. Once everyone had had their fill of the waffles, we all helped to clean up and then headed in the front room for gifts. I love mom's system, works great to keep the ciaos down to a minimum. The youngest goes first and they each take a turn opening on present at a time. Nana and Papa spoil the kids, but they love it. Owen got a really cute plush tool box with tools and an apron. He also got two outfits. He is a stylish kid. Gabbi got an awesome church quiet book. She loves that thing. It occupies her the entire sacrament meeting. I think I love it just as much as she does. She also got an outfit. Nana and Papa got Ben and I some games for the Xbox and Wii. Ones that we can play alone or with the family. Gabbi also got some books and a mystery find stick from her cousins, and Owen got 2 more outfits from his cousins. The kids really made out like bandits. Us kids gave mom and dad money for their next trip. I believe that they are going to San Fransico sometime this autumn. We all got Grandma Shupe an electric lap blanket. She is always cold, it was perfect. I think everyone had a great Christmas. All the kids spent the time talking about the many things they got for Christmas. It was nice once the hustle and bustle was done just to visit. Then we all parted way, it always happens. But while it lasted it was a blast.

After we left mom and dad's, we headed home to wait for Nelson and Deann. They were making their rounds and wanted to stop by to see what the kids got. They had a blast showing all their cool toys. Gabbi loved that they played with her with her new toys. she felt like the star of the show, I'm sure.

Christmas

Seeing how Christmas was on a Sunday this year, it made things a little more interesting. We decided to wake the kids early to let them see what Santa had brought. Luckily it didn't bite us in the but later. The kids were pretty good all day long. So we woke the kids around 7 in order to be done and ready for church by 8:30. When we woke the kids, they didn't really understand what was going on, but got very excited once we went down stairs. Owen of course didn't know what was going on at all, but Gabbi was in awe. The kids each took turns opening a present. Santa brought Owen a Little People's Noah's Ark and Gabbi a Make Over Pony. Owen also got some cars and a church outfit from mom and dad. Gabbi got some games, a bedtime stories book, a sit on bounce ball, and a church outfit as well. The only bad part about having church was trying to get the kids to not cry and argue that they couldn't open and play with their new toys. Normally mom and dad don't do gifts, but daddy decided differently. He surprised me with a movie and a year's worth of nail appointments. I have been wanting to get my nails done for a while, and now I can. Daddy got some books from some of his favorite authors, Clive Custler and Dean Koontz, he also got 2 xbox shoot em' up games, and 2 movies. We were spoiled this year. When we were all done, we got all spiffied up and ready for church. We decided to all go to my sister's ward, her kids were in their Christmas program. They did a great job, what a nice way to end our Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is my favorite part of the Christmas Holiday. Some of my favorite traditions occur that night. This year was mom and dad year for Christmas Eve. Jeff and Tiffany had invited us to come over when ever we were ready to head over and we took advantage of that. We love to go over and hang out with them. We played games on the xbox and visited until the rest of the party goers showed up. Once the rest of the party arrived we got things started. We of course had a really nummy dinner. Mom cooked b-b-que sandwiches and the rest of us brought sides. There was some really yummy salads, veggies, chips and dip, etc. Food is always a great part of a party. When we were done eating and cleaned up, it was time for games. All of the kids went and played in there rooms while the adult played games in the kitchen. One game that we played for the first time was a game called Logo. Its a trivia game about slogans and logo for various products. It was such a fun game. I loved it so much that we went and got it a couple days later. We also played sequence and a few others. We also played dance dance revolution. It was great watching the adults compete with the kids. Even mom and dad got in there and dance a few numbers. But the best part of the night was when we got out Christmas pajama's and got to read the Christmas story. I love the jammies, it makes the story that much better. This year's story was Penny's Christmas Jar. I found it for mom this year. They were on sale, which made it that much better. It was such a cute story about a family that collects change throughout the year and then at Christmas time they buy gift for a family that is in a little need of help. Each year one of the children in the family got to chose who the jar went to. It was Penny's turn and she had great ideas for the jar, almost too many to choose from. When it all came down to it, the helped an elderly man who was sick. It was a really cute story, I loved it. The best Christmas tradition we have I think. Once the story was done, we all said our goodbyes and headed to our homes so we could get in bed and await Santa's visit.

Owen opening his Christmas pajama's and very excitedly showing them off.

Gabbi couldn't wait to finally open her Christmas jammies.

The boys and girls showing off their matching pajama's

My favorite part of Christmas Eve, reading a Christmas Story

Trying to get Gabbi to sit down with us and enjoy the story was very hard, but she did sit for at least 3 pages. Maybe next year she'll sit longer.

Gabbi thought is would be funny to dress up in JD's clothes. She wanted to play with JD and Cameron and they were playing dress up in JD Halloween costumes. So either they told her to dress in his clothes or she asked, either way they thought it would be funny. So she came up stairs to show us her dress up clothes. When I went down to help her find her clothes and help her get back dressed in her own clothes I came to discover that she was even wearing hid underwear. I couldn't believe it. Kids will be kids, right?