The Holidays!!

This holiday season was our busiest EVER. We were in the final weeks of finishing our basement, right on top of Anya's tonsilectomy, then Christmas. I didn't get around to much blogging. But I do want to share the pictures before too much time passes.

Mrs. Packer's Kindergarten Class Christmas Program



Bennett is on the back row, Anya's right in front of him.



They were so darn cute, we could hardly stand it.

Anya totally floored us with the way she knew all the actions to the songs

and ate up the whole "being on stage" experience.

Here we see one of the many fruits of inclusive education.

Max's 4th grade class went skiing at the Canyons one day. It was his first time and he is now HOOKED and reminds us often how much he wants to go again.

Christmas Eve brought us THREE parties!

The morning party: G&G Fillmore's

As always, we were all spoiled rotten.

Anya LOVED everything about Christmas.

She would patiently wait to open her gifts,

then smile so big when she saw what was inside.

  

The afternoon party: The Halling Party

All of Jeremy's extended family on his mom's side.

The kids look forward to this feast all year.

Max entertained us with Carol of the Bells.

He learned this a year ago in piano lessons and still remembers it!

This was a really special moment. Opening Aunt Susan's cross-stitched stocking for Anya.

It's beautiful. She picked out the Angel pattern just for Anya.

Can you believe she made FIVE this year? She's been busy!

We'll treasure this forever, just like we do the others.

And the evening party was at my sister, Jen's house.

The Bacher's, Larsen's and Fillmore's.

We were not hungry. But we ate anyway. How can anyone pass up food like this?

The Nativity Story was extra special this year. We had a real "baby Jesus!"

How about those zebra-print swaddling clothes?

 HEY! It's Uncle D- I mean SANTA!!

Bringing ALL the kids PJ's all wrapped up.

Bennett kept looking at Santa's eyes.

Can you tell by his expression that he had it figured out?

Santa had to tease Landon a little.

All the kiddos in their new jammies...ready to go home and try, try try to sleep.

(How do you like Anya's new "smile" she makes when we say "smile?")

Wow, what a day.

Now it was time to drive home and get the kids to bed so that

Santa could come to OUR house and do his thing!

Bennett left him a very important letter.

Santa did good.

7:00 am! Rise and shine! The big morning has ARRIVED!!!

   Yess!!

Max got lots of Legos this year, and lots of ideas of what to do with them!

An art desk, art supplies AND lots of Duck tape for Bennett! Just what he asked for!

Clothes and an iPod for Landon

Sadie got clothes and stuff for her new bedroom. (no pic.)

Time to go wake up the little ones.

Can I tell you how fun it was to watch Anya this Christmas?

It warmed our hearts so much.

And Eli was so cute, too. I love how kids this age have no expectations.

There's no let-down whatsoever. 

And that finally brings us to...

New Years Eve, Eve at the Brady's Cabin!

This year, our Cabin Crew party only had 3 families.

But it was awesome as always.

I was in my PJ's by midnight. Couldn't wait any longer. :)

Bring out the Martinelli's and party goods. Woo hoo!

We stayed at the Cabin 2 nights. The 2nd night, we took a break from the cabin and crashed the Fillmore party over at Lorrie and Kam's in Heber.

It's always great to hang out with cousins and grandparents.

 Ooo, don't you just want to scoop up those little snuggle boys?

Wow, that post has to hold the record for the most pictures ever!

I'm now caught up. YEAH!! Now it's 1 am and I need to sleep.

Night, all. And Happy New Year.

May you find many blessings in 2012.