Christmas 2011

1 month late? Never too late I say. This year was the year of staying home, no company, just us. But then Owen's parents called a couple of days before Christmas and said they were coming. We were excited, because it's more fun to share the holidays with family. A couple of days before Christmas, I bought a trampoline. Owen has been protesting for years. "trampolines are so dangerous!" "One of the kids friends is going to sue us for damages!" Believe me, I've heard it all. The thing is, is that Owen doesn't have to be home with the kids ever! He works almost every Saturday leaving me with kids getting on each others nerves, spending way too much time in the house in front of the T.V., fighting and then getting on my nerves. It had to be done!!! Owen was not a happy camper when he put this together. In fact the kids tried to help, and he just got all huffy and told them to go away. But...once it was put together, I came downstairs to find a crazy, happy Owen jumping as high as he possibly could go having a glorious time! Now that we've had it for a month, I would say it was money well spent. The kids spend hours on this thing, and when their friends come over, this is where you will find them. So maybe when you go in our backyard it's kind of an eyesore, because it's like "hello 15 foot trampoline!" But we aren't going to be in this house much longer so it works for now. Even Owen's mom got into it. Here is Owen playing crack the egg with his mom and her getting some kind of injury.
Not me...Owen's mom!

For Christmas eve, we went and saw the Adventures of Tin Tin, and then came home and had Panera Bread soup and sandwiches and the kids decorated cookies for Santa.

The girls sang in several numbers in church. This year they were in one of the singing productions for the live nativity. So since most of the kids from the ward were in that singing group, they were able to sing in church. As a kid a dreaded it when Christmas was on a Sunday because we would have to go to church! I really enjoyed it this year and think there should be a Christmas service every year. It really enlightens you and helps you stay focased on the True Meaning! I felt very spiritually uplifed that day. The rest of the day was just relaxing and playing with toys. Here is Maggie playing with her Dr. and Dentist Playmobil sets. And Audrey playing with her Barbie Camper.