Okay - so I don't think I'm going to give you a play by play of Christmas because that would just take way way too long, but here are some highlights... There was 26 people at my parents' house and 24 for the week following and it was just chaos - in a completely fun way. There was always something going on, even if that something was sitting around talking. There was lots of eating done (as my waist can testify) - and lots of good ole fashion family time. It was so great to see everyone and to share Christmas with everyone, I love this time of year!
Christmas Eve we did a nativity with Sierra and Noah as Mary and Joseph
What Nativity would be complete without a little bit of antics? A shepherd (Kaymbri) decided part way through the nativity that baby Jesus was hers (which in reality it was her doll) - and was not amused by someone else holding it.
Our religious songs got a bit... boistorous... toward the end of the nativity. "Star of Wonder..."
Everyone that was there for Christmas Eve - minus the little ones, Joyce and Owen who were asleep by this time.
"Before"
"After" It was insane to try to fit all 26 of us in my parents living room with all of our parents AND do our tradition of taking turns opening presents, youngest to oldest. The kids ended up checking out early to go play with their gifts...
Opening presents... Next to me is Qiujie, Scott's office mate and my good friend who came with us to brave the crazy of my parents house to experience a "real" Christmas. She loved it - she loved having so much family around, she loved the games, she loved the presents and she loved shopping for everyone. We loved having her there - it was fun to see Christmas with new eyes. One of her favorite things was that we gave actual gifts instead of money - in China for their big festival all the kids just get cash - and she loved getting toys and fun things for the kids and recieving fun presents too.
My big present from my parents was a sewing machine! wahoo! My big present from Scott was an Ikea gift certificate, which is so cool - because half the fun for me about IKEA is shopping there!
Scott wiped out after present opening
Mom made the younger kids knit sweaters. This is Joyce's - there is an adorable little hat that goes with it.
The girls (there's four that were born within a year of each other) all got matching sweaters from Grandma and matching dresses from Wendy - they looked so cute together - but we never did get a picture with them all because after all - they are all 2-3 years old.
One day we all went to the temple and did family names - so fun to have everyone at the temple for a reason other than a wedding!
One night we did Crepes - this year I did a Philly Cheese Steak crepe with garlic cheese sauce, a buffalo chicken one, and an chicken artichoke one... plus any you could make ala carte. Super good!
Fondue - also a favorite - this year there were so many of us we had to do it in shifts!
The girls performing for M&Ms - one of the rare times when one of them wasn't upset at the other one for something!
Chocolate Fondue - Yum!
2 comments:
Oh, I am so tired and it's showing by my stupidity. I saw the photo of the Seattle Temple and was like, "Oh, I didn't know she had family up there! I wonder where she is from"--I'm such a brainiac, I forgot that that is where I knew you guys. I definitely have Utah on the brain. lol
That looks like SOOO much fun!! I can feel the love in your family as I look at the pictures!!! Nothing feels more like Christmas to me than a PACKED house:)
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