Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve began with making gingerbread cookies.

Grandma Martin made delicious homemade 

dough and the girls went crazy decorating them.  

The adults went a little crazy too.

Aunt Ade was a good sport!

Even Owen got in on the action and loved it.

We then played a bunch of "minute to win it" games.

We had fun being silly.

 

Sunday dinner

We were almost all together so we had to take some pictures!

Christmas pjs

My parents surprised us and came over to our house this year to deliver the Christmas pajamas.  

They brought the Polar Express to read and bells for everyone.

{we had our cute friends over for a play date)

My mom is a master at storytelling and had the kids hooked.

She got a little emotional at the end of the story and I got choked up too.  

Sheesh.  Like mother like daughter.

Cute Christmas pjs!

I don't know how she does it.

17 grandkids with all matching pjs.....pretty impressive!

We also went to our stake live nativity.

It was AWESOME!

They even had a real camel who was very friendly.

This is such a great tradition and a wonderful way to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

loving the lights

We went downtown to see the lights on Temple Square.  

It was a perfect night...

Owen slept the whole time.

The weather was not too cold.

It was not crowded at all.

The girls were in great moods.

We stopped to see the windows at Macy's. 

They were amazing!

We even went to the Disney store.

(we could have spent all night here)

We topped the night off with dinner at Cafe Rio.

Perfection.

Preschool Performance

 Rylie had a little Christmas program at her school.

She sang well & rang her bell perfectly.

It was so fun for Ryan and I to watch.

She Loves, Loves, Loves her teacher!

Her carpool buddies.

A Dutch Christmas

 This year my mother in law wanted to teach the kids about one of her ancestors
and the way they celebrate Christmas in the country they came from.
Taunya's Grandfather was Dutch!

We learned all about Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet and the fun traditions they have in Holland.
We ate a traditional Dutch dinner and put carrots and straw in their wooden Dutch shoes.
They received special cookies and wafers.
Sinterklaas even made an appearance and delivered chocolate letters to everyone.
(Jim was a good sport)

 A fun and new tradition has begun!

PJ & Pancake Party

 My mom had all the grandkids over for a pj and pancake party.  The started off coloring and then they dove into the pancakes and any topping you can think of.  They were allowed to have as many as they wanted.  I think Max still holds the record of 67!  I hope my kids do NOT beat that record.  :)

I love my mom and how she tries to make the holidays special and a reason to get together.