Christmas 2011

Christmas Eve:

Grandma's Breakfast 

That night we went to dinner with Grandma and Grandpa O'Loughlin and exchanged gifts with them.

 Christmas Morning:

Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year we decided to wait to open presents until after our 9 a.m. sacrament meeting. In order to do that - we pretty much had to keep the kids sequestered to our room and not remind Nathan it was Christmas morning. If he had made it out to the family room and had seen all of the presents it would have been all over. Caitlyn was a great helper in keeping Nathan and Alison entertained and a picnic in mom and dads room helped as well.

Once we got home from Church we put our pajamas back on - to fully experience the Christmas spirit. The kids had a great time opening up their presents

In the afternoon it was off to Grandma and Grandpa Harmon's house.

Happy Birthday Chad!

We enjoyed the morning with mini golf and Chipotle for lunch. Tonight were going out sans kids for sushi and Shelock Holmes.

Happy Birthday Caitlyn!

Caitlyn's traditional birthday morning pictures:

Right before leaving for school. I was taking Caitlyn's picture when Alison came up and had to be in it with her:

Happy 9th Birthday Caitlyn!

Friends Christmas Party

I look forward to the night that we have our friends Christmas party. Its just four couples and our kids and its a blast. We had our traditional "James' roast" for dinner (I'll say traditional because its two years running now) with mash potatoes, rolls and carrots. Its an amazing dinner - maybe it tastes better because of the company :) I was in charge of dessert so this is what I came up with:



Who's ready for a baby? Laree. She loved holding the newest addition to the group: Alice. She's only 4 weeks old

The kids were excited to start opening up the presents.Nathan was extremely excited with his Lego set. Good job Erin and Preston!

We gave Millie and Ellaree a marshmallow gun. It came equipt with eye protection.

Erin and Preston know Alison well. She was so excited to get a Yo Gabba Gabba coloring book and Broby thermos.

Millie looking cute

Then it was the adults turn:

but Alison kept making her way into the group with misc toys - as evident by the next two pictures

The kids had a great time and I'm glad that we were able to get a picture of them - eventhough Millie is covering her face. She can be seen in the next shot of silly faces. Maybe next year we'll remember to get a picture of all the adults together. Erin is mysteriously absent from the pictures. I swear she was there - was it on purpose? Hummmm...

WE HAD A GREAT TIME! CAN'T WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!

(but I'm sure we'll get together before then :) )