Christmas!!

Holy Cow I love Christmas!  This year was awesome.  This is the first year in like 12 years that I haven't worked at the Roof and am crazy busy during Christmas. I can honestly say that I enjoyed it so much more than I had been able to in the past.....  We were able to do everything that I wanted to do. So beware, this is a complete picture overload. 

We did take a night to go downtown and see the lights.  Always a blast.  This year we didn't take the train in like we have the past couple years.  I think that causes way too much stress when we do. I like the luxury of my own car.

 This is what the front room looked like on Christmas morning before the animals attacked.  Rach and Josh actually woke up at 4:30am.  I let them open their stockings then sent them back to bed (I was up with William at the time). Then they woke up at good old 8:00.  Much better!

 Here's a picture of their new Christmas jammies. It's hard to tell on Josh's, but when you cross your arms it looks like a dragon is going to bite you. Super cool.  I think Rachel's footsies are a little big, what do you think?

 This is me opening my big gift from Trav.  I know I don't look too excited (and very gross, ewww!) but, I'm reading a note that says, "Go pick out a piano you schmuck!" (or something like that)  I'm getting a piano!!! You don't even know how excited I am about this!!!  So now the hunt begins....

 Will had an awesome first Christmas and especially loved his Noah's ark.

 The thing most asked for and received was Legos.  They spent hours on Christmas day putting together Legos. 

 Even little stinker finally got her own Legos..

 We made some gingerbread houses about a week before Christmas.  I always get shown up by the house I make.  That's what I get for marrying an architect.  His houses are always so much cooler.

 Kate and I built Frosty when it snowed.

 This was my favorite package by far this year....

 Grandma gave Kate a new dress which I think it so cute.  She totally looks ready for Sunbeams now.

 And my boys all got matching ties and wore them to church.  This is the most handsome bunch of boys I've ever seen!

 The day after Christmas we went up to my parents cabin and spent a couple nights.  Everyone was there so it was really cozy.  But we did a lot of sledding, drank a lot of hot chocolate, and had a lot of fun! 

 Kate's favorite part was being the hood ornament on the 4-wheeler bringing kids back up the hill.

 Here's all the grandkids.  We are a big bunch!

 There were a few minor crashes on the sleds...

 William even got to try sledding for the first time.  He wasn't too sure about it.

 I like his little camo pants for the cabin....

Looking back on the year there were a lot of ups and downs....but mostly ups.  I love being able to reminisce and set new goals for the new year.
  I think 2014's going to be a great year too.

Winter

Well, we are getting ready for "the big day."  You know, Christ's birthday.  That's what I'm talking about.  So here's just some pictures of decorating the tree...

 The kids were all fighting on who got to put the star on top.  Kate won the fist fight so she tried first...

 She couldn't get it to stay so Josh won the arm wrestle and he tried next....

 It didn't work for him either so Rachel won the body slam and tried it....

 No can do.  So after being beaten up by all the kids Trav got to put the star on top.

 The finished product....

 A bunch of crazies

 Here's a picture right after church on Sunday.  Yes, Kate insists on wearing a spring dress.  At least she let's us put a shirt underneath.

 These 2 cuties were reading "by the light of the Christmas tree."

 We went outside for a family photo shoot.  These are some of the rejects for our Christmas card. I'm amazed how well they turned out considering we just had a tripod.  We do have an awesome backdrop of a backyard.

 Such a handsome boy who is getting WAY too big.This is the first time he wore his "suit."

I think we're ready.  Merry Christmas!!

What do you think?

I've been meaning to post this picture for a long time.  For those of you that say, "I'm not sure who William looks like."  Here's a clue.  Here's a picture taken back in 1976....

And here's one of Will taken a few weeks ago.  You be the judge (and no I wasn't born in 1976)  I have a feeling he's  going to look like his daddy.

 And here a just some more random pictures that I've been slacking on posting.  Our first snow and first snowman of the season...

 Someone loves his exersaucer.....

 This girl is just cute when she's not causing trouble...I'm not sure why her neck is so shiny.

 Josh started playing basketball!  This is his first year and he loves it. 

 And all of Thanksgiving I forgot to take pictures until we came home and were getting ready for bed.  So here's my only Thanksgiving pictures with our thankful turkey as a backdrop.  There's 5 turkey's that I'm thankful for....

 Then everyone wanted pictures with William.  Man, you'd think he was a celebrity the way he's treated around here.

 Always with the 2 fingers..

 The day after thanksgiving we went on a little hike.  Kate tried on the backpack just for size.

 I think Will is relieved that daddy's carrying him and not Kate.

 We stopped frequently for snacks...

 Of course as we were coming back down someone was running and couldn't stop. It's good there was some mud to stop the fall.  I could have been worse.

 And daddy, Josh, Rachel and Grandpa Maughan went fishing too and they caught lots of fish!

It was an awesome holiday weekend.  I'm so sad to see it go but we have some great memories!