Christmas Break 2011

Scootering in the house.

Gordon playing the piano.

Eleanor in her tutu.

The kids lounging- playing the wii.

Basketball

It's been a great break. We have relaxed and gone like crazy. Today we spent the day in Salt Lake. We went to The Leonardo and the Church History Museum. It was fun, but taking 7 kids by myself to Salt Lake was a little crazy.

Christmas morning 2011

Watching Luke 2 Christmas Eve.

Santa came.

Gordon assembling the basketball game that his parents gave the kids.

Santa never forgets the animals.

The stuffed stockings.

All's quiet.

Christmas morning. Isaac and Adaline.

Jacob.

The mess.

So a couple of highlights. The trampoline- Santa shops early at our house. Well, after the shopping was done Jacob started talking about how he wanted a mini trampoline. It was on his Christmas list and he would always ask Santa for one. I didn't want a mini trampoline. They are always in the way, the kids never use them, etc. I thought if it's under 30 bucks I'll get one. It's worth 30 dollars to make his Christmas. I was at Wal Mart and there was the mini trampoline for $29, so I bought it and made his Christmas. He love his mini trampoline and his soft yellow blanket. The other bit of luck we had was with the fooseball table. I wanted to get the kids one but put it off. I looked at Amazon and they were $150 so I thought that would be the big gift for the family, that is until I realized that that was for the small tables and that for a normal sized one was $500! I about had a heart attack. I was kind of disappointed. But the week before Christmas a family in our neighborhood moved. I went over to say good bye and see if I could help. I vacuumed the house for them and as I was in the middle of my vacuuming the woman asked me if I wanted a fooseball table. I couldn't believe it! She said that they were just going to leave it with the house and that I could have it if I wanted it. Gordon and I went over later that night and got it. It has also been a lot of fun. I feel fortunate to have it. So it was a really wonderful Christmas. Everyone is healthy and happy, I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear and food to eat. What more could I ask for?

Christmas Eve 2011

Eleanor hiding under the table. I love her legs up in the air.

Isaac helping in the kitchen.

Gordon cooking steaks.

Candle lit dinner

Jacob as Joseph

Bridie was Mary.

James was one tough angel. No wonder the angels were afraid.

Eleanor and Isaac who was a shepherd.

Eleanor with a wisemen crown on.

Mary and Joseph.

The donkey taking Mary and a wiseman to Bethlehem.

Eleanor

Our two shepherds, Isaac and Matthew.

Bridie opening her gifts.

Adaline with her gift from Isaac.

Matthew with his CTR ring. We tried to trick him.

The boys are ready for the BYU basketball games.

The kids in their new PJ's.

All seven. I love them all so much.

Christmas Eve was great. During the day we dipped Oreos and pretzels because we didn't have nearly enough sugar to send all of us into a sugar coma. Then we had our traditional steak dinner by candle light. Gordon had a little difficulty with the Bar B Que. I was going to get him a new one for Christmas but thought I'd get it for his birthday in May- The flames were 2 feet high coming out of that thing. The steaks had to finish cooking on the stove. Then we acted out the nativity, but first was a lecture from the mom about how Christmas is about giving not getting, etc. The kids had exchanged names and while we were bowling at BYU that past week had gone up to the bookstore to pick out gifts for each other. Then I pulled out the pj's. Several kids came and told me that this was the first year that the pajamas fit and they liked them. Glad I got something right this year. I love the pictures of the kids in front of the fireplace. We have grown and multiplied. I am so grateful. Then we went down and watched Luke 2 and Gordon's parents came over to give their gifts- a basketball shooter that has been used constantly and some small gifts for the little kids.

Adaline's gifts

Adaline made gifts for her friends this year. She has been taking sewing lessons from a lady in our neighborhood (Martha Merrill) and she loves the classes. Martha was so nice to help her make the rice hot pads and they tied a cute bow on them. Adaline was so proud of herself, as she should be. They were so cute.

Bridie as tangled

We finally got couches for the basement. We had hand-me-downs from my in laws that were thread bear when we got them and a couch from Christina that they got second hand. So it was time for some new couches. They are so great and we love watching movies in them. I know we need carpet in the room. Gordon calls that room romper room. We have never liked the sponge squares and the color is hideous but oh well. Bridie got "hair" from my mom's party. She wore it for days until it became too tangled to wear.

DeBry Party

The kids waiting for their gifts from Santa.

The adults were way louder than the kids.

Isaac and Santa

James and Santa

Matthew and Santa

Jacob and Santa

Adaline and Santa

Eleanor (the face kills me) and Santa

Bridie and Santa

We had a wonderful party with all my DeBry cousins. It was great. My uncle Jim was Santa and I can't imagine a better, kinder Santa. It is always so good to see my cousins.