Christmas 2010 Highlights

We had the most wonderful holiday! It has been a painful re-entry into normal life again. I absolutely loved every minute with my kids and hubby home. I tried to fill their days with as much fun and magic as I could. My time with them seems to be flying by. It was such a time of fun, happiness and peace(not the usual rush and stress) for our family. I just loved it.

Our annual Pie and Pajamas night. It is one of our favorite traditions!




Gwen's first Pie and Pajamas. As you can she, she is a banana cream gal.




The whole crew minus dad who was taking the picture.




Gingerbread houses. Usually we make houses out for graham crackers and little milk cartons, but this year I bought a kit that had five small houses, candy and frosting in it. It worked out great for each of the kids to get their own, different house.




Courtney slaving away on her "out house".




Bailee (Court's friend) working on her house.





Bowen's masterpiece.





The whole village.





Making cookie press cookies. This was so much fun.





Al the kids except Bowen (he was caroling with the scouts).






These were such a fun cookie to make. You fill the tube with dough and change out the little discs depending on the shape you like. Then decorate with sprinkles.






The twelve days of Christmas. We were so luck this year. Grandma Bowen did the 24 days of Christmas and Grandma Cluff did the 12 days of Christmas. The kids absolutely loved it and it gave them something fun to look forward to everyday in December.





One of the days grandma and grandpa Bowen sent "Service Bucks". The kids each had to decide how to use their money to serve someone else. Our kids decided to put theirs together and give it to the Bishop for a family in the ward.






Christmas piano Recital
















Christmas Eve. We spent Christmas eve with our good friends the Mogenson's. It was so much fun. We ate, played fun games, read the Christmas story and enjoyed each others company. for the game above everyone had to lift and lower a baseball holding their string tight. It took a lot of cooperation.





In this game each person had a pipe. They had to roll a golf ball from one as far as they could holding their pipes together, and then running to the end and doing it again.






Carter read the Christmas story (with Gwennie's help) while the kids put together Nativity stickers.






Someone is getting very familiar with the camera.






After the Mogensen's left the kids opened their Christmas PJ's from grandma ad grandpa Bowen and their gifts that they made for each other (more on that in a late post). It was such a fun evening.






Christmas Morning. Gwen on her first Christmas morning. She loved every minute of it.






Of course Gwen loved the wrapping the best. After five kids, I was prepared for this and only bought her a couple of little gifts.






Jackson got exactly what he was hoping for.






Bowen just unwrapped a surprise!






Cooper's love. Legos. A rip off in a box.







After all the presents were unwrapped, the kids move on to their stockings. In the toe each of them found a note to Santa with a clue to where he hid their "big" gift. Courtney found something that smelled good.






Jackson found something ringing in the tree.






Bowen found something he could ride.







Cooper found something for lounging.






Our annual Christmas morning brunch. This is one of the best things we do all year. Sadlythis is my only picture. Christmas tree cinnamon rolls before icing, were just one of the things on the menu. We had over 60 friends over for food and fun.






Christmas weekend church. All dressed up for church in their Christmas duds.




The girls.






The boys.


We hope you had a wonderful Christmas season full of tradition, love and service. We are so grateful for our Savior, his life and example. We are blessed to have the best friends and family in the world. We wish you all a wonderful new year!