Christmas 2011 was really fun... busy and filled with love. My birthday has become a big excuse for a party around here. Bryan likes to make me feel like I bring it on myself, but the truth is... he wouldn't have it any other way. We have been ice skating for my birthday- well, since forever. I love it. But in the last couple of years, it has become kind of our Christmas party and we like our friends and family to come. It's a lot of fun... unfortunately I don't have pics from that night, but Bryan went flying with Brandon (his brother) on my birthday before the ice skating... so here is a picture of him as happy as can be in the delta/skywest cockpit w/ his brother going from SLC to Oakland.
This year we split up Christmas into two nights again. We did Christmas Eve at my parents on the 23rd. The kids were tickled with a visit from Santa, lots of presents and a darling nativity. My cute dad tries so hard to always have a spiritual aspect to Christmas programs. We used to have a very beautiful program w/ lots of scriptures and songs and it was wonderful... but now we have 12 little kids running around and it's not happening. He was patient and really tried hard w/ the kids this year to have a respectable nativity. They sure make cute little wisemen and angels!
On Christmas Eve we went to the Rasmussen's. We also have a nativity here every year that is very kid friendly and Bradford even got into it this year! The presents are a lot of fun and this family doesn't do it casually... they go all out. The kids were spoiled by both sides so much that we could have ended right then and not had much waiting for them at home. We are so lucky to have our families so close and so many cousins for the kids to pal around with. This year has been a little off at the Rasmussen's because 3 of the kids and families moved away for different continuing educational programs. We were so happy to have everyone home for Christmas and Baya and the girls were so happy to have their energetic cousin Sarah home to hang with. Baya really looks up to Sarah and likes to be near her whenever she can.
Blakely opened about 25 books from her cousin Anna and it was so much fun to see all the thought and effort that went into every present. She is so excited to get reading all those books
Every year all the kids get Christmas pajamas. This is a fun tradition they look forward to. Us adults like it too!!! That is how I get all my cute jogging suits every year!
We had Ranae and Grandma and Grandpa Whip and Shep show up for the escapades christmas morning. Grandma Ruth was pretty disgusted when she showed up at 8:30 to a quiet and sound asleep house... I finally let Ranae wake all the kids up at 8:45. We are so lazy around here, even on Christmas! The kids were thrilled with their gifts and Bradford really loves all his balls!
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