Family Pictures

Several weeks ago, we had our talented friend Kam take some family pictures for us.  It has been just the five of us for so long, I wanted an updated family picture of just us before we add another one.  Here are some of my favorites:

Christmas Break 2009

Another Christmas has come and gone.  This year was a very busy one and a very excellent one too.  The boys and Jeffery had a whole two weeks off of school and work.  So, we packed up and headed to Flag for the first week.  The boys couldn't wait to play in the snow. The day after a snowfall, the boys stayed and played outside all day long.  They only came inside to eat and go to the bathroom.

 

 

Christmas Eve, the boys and I went sledding with family...

Josh, Jacob, Jacque and Madelyn

Me, Joseph and Riley

Josh and Boyd. Boyd loved sledding until he got too cold.  He'd grab a sled and go up and down the hill by himself.

Here's the gang!  

Christmas Eve also brought the tradition of "softies" before bed.  It's a tradition that my parents started with their kids before I can remember.  All 5 of us have continued it with our own families.  A softie is one soft gift meant to "tease" us about the next morning. 

This year we had softies at Mom and Dad's with Josh and Sara's kids.

Here's how it works:  all the kids line up:

and close their eyes...No peeking at all! Grandpa makes sure too...

then the gifts are given...(they all got new pjs)

This is the process for the kids, and the men in our lives....

 

and then the girls...

Christmas Morning:

Christmas morning means more traditions.  After family prayer the book "I Believe in Santa Claus" is read.

Riley read it this year for us.

Next, baby Jesus is born and is put into the manger.

Then finally and with very anxious kids, the gifts are given!

and it's a very Merry and wonderful Christmas day!

We went home the following day to have a quiet week at home. Jeffery was anxious to work on the house and started working on the main bathroom.  Jeffery's dad, Grandpa Johnny, surprised us and came down for a visit.  The boys loved having Grandpa Johnny stay with us.  They were always scared that they would miss the next trip to Home Depot or harbor Freight.   They also got in quite a few dart gun wars with the guns they got for Christmas.  I am still finding darts in the weirdest places.

Boyd was often shot in the face so Jeffery gave him a face shield to wear.

It was a wonderful way to start the New Year!

I forgot to add just a few details of Christmas, more for my sake than anybody else's.
Joseph:   Aunt Jacque took Joseph out shopping one evening while Jeffery and I were on a date.  They went to Big Lots and there was a Salvation Army bell ringer there collecting money.  Joseph asks: "Jacque why do the poor only come out at Christmas?"


and again our Joseph:  Loved Christmas morning!  Kept saying over and over  "Thank you Santa!  Thank you Santa!" and also with every present he opened "This is the best Christmas EVER!"
He never fails to make the most out of everything and keeps his parents smiling and full of joy!