Christmas 2008

Christmas time has come and gone once again. We had such a good Christmas this year. It was definately challenging financial wise, as I am sure a lot of you can relate, but in the end it was very nice.

We spent the holiday with my parents this year. We went over on Christmas Eve. My family has a tradition that on Christmas Eve night we go over to Grandpa and Grandma Mortensen's house, have dinner, and then have a program. We have taken the program out of the Home Evening manual through the church and added a few extra touches to it. I have always loved being envolved in this. This just helps to bring Christ into the picture more. I love listening to my family sing the Christmas songs and since there isn't a piano or a piano player it is all a capella. The spirit is always so strong there and it has always been one of my favorite parts of Christmas.

Christmas morning the first call for presents came at around 3:45 or so. Avery woke up and told Dave that she wanted to open her presenents (sounds like presidents) as she calls them. Dave quickly told her no and so we went back to sleep. Then around 6:00 Emmabelle woke up so I took her in the living room and waited for Avery to wake up on her own. We had a late night, and she hadn't slept very well through the night. She got up around 6:30 and then the fun began. Avery and Emmabelle were the only grandkids there so they were the center of attention. My sister Lori was also there with us. When Avery first got in there she wasn't quite awake and so she wasn't too excited. After I showed her her stocking and the fun things in it she was ready for the rest. Santa brought the girls new swings. Dave is going to build them a swing set in the back yard. Avery will be so excited once it is finally up. For Christmas this year Dave and I decided that we were going to give ourselves a weekend get away. So sometime in January my mom will come over and watch the girls so we can have a much needed weekend to ourselves. I am very excited about this. We weren't suppose to get each other any presents, but being the most amazing husband in the world he didn't stick to the rules. He spoils me too much. He also got me a small nativity. It just has Mary Joseph and baby Jesus and it lights up with a tea light. It is so pretty though, when I saw it in the church book store I fell in love with it, and he also got me the Alpha and Omega picture of Christ for my home. The other big gift that we got that Dave and I are excited for is the Food Saver that we got from my parents, and they also helped us can some beef, chicken, butter, and pancake mix to help us with our year supply.

Emmabelle playing with the gifts from Santa.

The first face I got from Avery. She wasn't quite ready for all the happenings.

Avery looking at her gifts from Santa.

Emmabelle opening her first Christmas gift.

Avery finally warming up to the whole experience.

Grandma bought gingerbreadmen for the kids to decorate.

We had Christmas dinner at my grandparents house. Those in attendence were Grandpa and Grandma Mortensen, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Marie, my parents, Lori , Clint, Nicole and their kids, and then Dave, the kids and I. My Aunt Rosanne and Uncle David were suppose to come, but they ended up coming down with something. So Christmas morning my mom and I spent the morning cooking our little hearts out to get Christmas dinner ready. We cooked both a ham and a turkey, mashed potatos, sweet potatos, stuffing, and rolls. It was a very busy morning, but dinner turned out delicious. We spent the day enjoying each other's company.

Avery rocking with the reindeer.

Emmabelle actually let Papa Great hold her. It was a miracle.

Emmabelle playing with Aunt Lori.

Emmabelle showing off her attempts at crawling.

The day after Christmas we spent canning food with Mom and Dad. They bought a whole bunch of beef, chicken, butter, and pancake mix. We used the pressure cooker for the meat, and then the Food Saver for the pancake mix. The butter is done by melting it in a pot and then putting it in the jars putting lids on and then shaking it about every five minutes or so until it cools and then putting it in the fridge and contiue shaking it until it solidifies again. It was a fun day and it has gotten me a little more excited about food storage. That evening my Uncle Wil and Aunt Robyn and their family came to visit, so we went back over to Grandpa and Grandma Mortensen's to visit. We also had a snow strom blow in and it ended up covering the ground.

Marcy, Merry, Avery, and Grandma Mortensen working on building a snowman.

It ended up being a snowbaby.

Here's a close up, isn't it cute.

On Saturday the boys were finally able to go coyote hunting. Before today it had been to windy to go. Dave was very excited. The girls just ended up hanging around the house. The kids did finally talk Grandma into taking them outside to play. I went out to take pictures. I hate the snow and so I didn't want to stay out there to long. They ended up making a snowbaby. I don't think we can actually call it a snowman. It was pretty small, but with a five year old and two, two year olds helping Grandma I think it turned out pretty cute. The kids had fun and once they got to cold came back inside and enjoyed playing games. The hunting party was partly successful. They were able to call in a dog and Dave even hit it, but they weren't able to find it. Clint and Nicole's family had to go home so she could work. Dave and Dad ended up going back out that evening and Mom was a champ and took care of the girls because I ended up getting a migraine. It was a fun day though.

Sunday we just went to church and then over to Grandpa and Grandma Mortensen's for Sunday dinner, so we could visit with Wil's family some more before they had to go. Dave and I were also going home so it was nice to be able to see everyone before that.

Emmabelle in her Christmas dress.

Avery's Christmas dress.

Two cute girls.

And a dang good looking family.

It was such a good weekend and very relaxing. Dave and I always enjoy getting out of town, spending time with family, and enjoying some much needed relaxation. Thanks to all the family who made our Christmas special.