Christmas 2010

It all started with Christmas Eve Breakfast with my family...

Delish.
Then, we went to see Santa...

Easton loved every minute of it.  Ty pretty much freaked out, but somehow, through some kind of Christmas Miracle, the picture looks like he was slightly calm through it all...not true.

And then, Christmas Eve Night, the real fun began...

 We read the Nativity Story, and sang songs.

Then, we went outside to look for Santa.  It was a foggy, foggy night and we couldn't see anything, but luckily Santa must have brought Rudolph along because by the time we got back, Santa had found our house ...

Incredible.

First, PJ's--we had a theme this year...

And then more presents...

A fun night.

Then Christmas Morning, we headed to the Casper's for another delicious family breakfast and more presents...

Grandma Raylene made cute quilts. Cute quilts for everyone. So ridiculously awesome.  (That pink one on top is mine...cute).

No real reason for this one...I just like Easton's face in it.

Just a great Christmas all the way around.

For all those who I didn't have addresses for, here is our Christmas Card, for your enjoyment...

The "Forgots" Tradition & David Archie

The Forgotten Carols.  I love it.  I have gone nearly every year since I can remember.  When I got married, Ace got pulled right into the tradition (he makes fun of it all, but I know he loves it deep down inside).  This was an especially great year, because we got to go with the rest of my family for the first time in forever.

From furthest to closest: Chad, Jesse, Sam, Lauren, Mom, Jessica

Jessica, looking incredible

The show was fabulous, as always.  Plus, nothing gets you in the Christmas Spirit like linking arms with complete strangers.  Until next year, Michael....

Now onto the next performance...My mom somehow won tickets from the church "lottery" for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir & David Archuleta Christmas Concert.  Now, for those who haven't heard, people were going crazy for these tickets, they were free tickets, but limited seats.  And...my mom won 4 tickets.  So, my mom, Jessica, Me, and Ace headed up to see the show.  We were just excited to be able to go, but then we got there and were shocked to find our seats were located in the third row from the front. 
Can't really beat that.

But then, in walks President Monson, and some of the apostles right in front of us...

Yep. That blob would be Elder Holland waving to us.  Ace said they locked eyes for a second :)

And...I love the way Jessica just popped her head right in that shot.

The night was marvelous.  The choir and little David did great.  (side note: my mom is totally obsessed--in a very non-creepy way--with David Archuleta)

Another fun part of the night...They narrated the story of John Parry, the man who started the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  The cool part, John Parry happens to be my Great, Great, Great Grandpa.  My Grandpa John has told my family and I that story all our lives.  It was so neat to hear it told like that.

Living at Grandma's

We are having a whole lot of fun.  Pretty much the boys are in heaven.  I mean, what child wouldn't love living with Grandma?  Just some things the boys love about Grandma's House:

The Hand-print Closet under the stairs is a real favorite.

Decorating the Christmas Tree... check out that concentration.

A huge yard with...get this, actual real grass.  Incredible.  

They don't care how cold it is, they beg me to go out everyday.

Easton started a new preschool, and we are all happier for it.

And when Grandma Leelee gets home Ty won't let her out of his sight.

Where Grandma Leelee goes, Ty will be running right behind her.

He especially loves to help her cook.

And most nights end with a little chocolate treat.

Nothing to complain about.

The Move & Giving of Thanks

We have been here almost two weeks.  I still feel like I'm here on vacation, not actually living here for good.  I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that it was Thanksgiving-we would have been here anyway, and we are living where we normally just come to visit. It's Weird.  A good weird, but weird.

Just a few things about the move...

First, Ace got the job offer on that Friday and they asked him to start Monday.  So, Ace left Sunday night, and I stayed behind with the Kidlets to pack the house to be ready by the next Friday.  And well, it was a long week.  

Ty managed to find every single marker in the house and so very lovingly used the walls and floors as his canvas...

And then, Ty thought it was a good idea to climb the mountain of boxes over and over, until he got stuck...

And, during the move, we found Easton's Secret Stash...

This special treasure was under my china hutch.  Easton's favorite hiding spot (especially right after Halloween) was shockingly in the corner right next to my hutch....

I really wish I had taken a picture of his reaction to me asking him how it got there...just a look of true terror.

Ace worked his first week, then drove back down the next Friday with his dad and brother to do the move.  Saturday was the big day...we had some awesome guys from the ward help us load the truck (again). 

Easton got to ride in the moving truck with Ace, and hasn't stopped talking about it.

We arrived to snow, and lots of it.  Ty, being the Vegas baby that he is, calls the snow "bubbles" and there is no convincing him otherwise.

We have our stuff officially being stored in four different locations...

My mom's house

My in-law's garage

My in-law's spare bedroom

My brother-in-law's spare room

FUN for Everyone!

Ace is really enjoying his new job.  The environment is way, way, WAY better than his last job; he loves the people he is working with.

Thank you to everyone who helped us move... or dealing with our stuff (or us) in your house for the next little bit!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Onto Thanksgiving Weekend...
We had our "Feast" as Easton calls it, with my family.  So great not to have to travel anywhere.

Good food.

Maybe too good.

Then, we headed over to the Casper's to celebrate Corbin's 4th birthday...

Cake and Presents

Can't go wrong with a pinata.  Just stand back a little.

Ty got himself a sucker.

Easton got up close and personal with baby Tessa.

Then we tried to get a shot of all the Grand-kids.  This is what we got:

  Now, every time we are all together we try this and every time the pictures all turn out just like this.  But my problem is with Papa Larry... Do we really have to try to get you to smile at the camera too?!! :)

A great weekend, and really, so so much to be thankful for.