This was our year to spend Christmas in California with my side of the family. BJ, Chrystal, and the kids drove in from Arizona and Kevin, Kellie, and the kids came from Utah to spend time here. They arrived on Saturday night.
Abby spent the night on Sunday night. The girls were so excited to see each other again!
After lunch on Christmas Eve day we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for some crafts and cookies. Here are Danny and BJ decorating some yummy cookies.
Maddie, Calissa and Abby showing off their creations.
Christopher, Nathan and Sam doing crafts with Grandma. Doesn't Sam look excited?
After cookies and crafts the kids (and men) headed outside for a game that Drew brought from school. I can't remember what it was called, but it involved badminton rackets, a birdie, and running.
(Drew, Lindsay, Parker and Conner)
Kevin, Charlie and BJ
Sam, Nathan and Chrystal
They had a lot of fun.
That night we had everyone over (24 plus Max) for dinner and a program. We did our traditional appetizers and soup for dinner.
We read the Christmas story and sang songs.
There were some solos and duets along the way too. Here are Christopher and Sam singing.
Calissa and Abby planned something too (and it even included dance moves)!
After the serious part of the program, my parents informed us that each family needed to perform a number. Here is BJ's family with their song.
Drew's family singing "Up on the Housetop."
Kevin's family
Our family as we sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Then my parents decided to sing the "Twelve Days of Christmas" and invite someone to come up for each number.
It got quite comical, but we had a great time. Everyone headed home about 8:00 so we could get the kids in bed so that Santa could come.
Conner was up first on Christmas morning and had to wait about an hour until we woke up Parker and Calissa. Travis and I started our cooking for the day while we were waiting for them to wake up.
Heading out to see what Santa brought. Calissa was pretty excited!
Calissa with her new PINK camera!
Parker with an iPhone, iTouch ... sort of.
You can read the crooked note (if you can).
(I wish they had a rotate button on this site! Would make my life so much easier!)
Conner with a Kindle Fire.
After spending time with their Santa gifts and checking out their stockings, they started opening gifts. This was our very first Christmas opening presents in our own house. We opened them one by one and had a great time! My favorite presents for them were their electric blankets!
Calissa with her loot.
Conner
Parker's new things
About 9 or so, we headed over to my parents' house to open gifts from cousins and Grandma and Grandpa. Uncle Drew greeted us at the door with his "Fear the Beard" beanie.
I loved getting to hold Baby Max. He and I snuggled lots during the trip!
Opening more presents!
This pj shirt that Parker got says, "Do Not Disturb ... or ELSE!"
Conner got a new BYU sweatshirt. He was really excited!
The granddaughters got matching pj's.
Abby, Calissa, Maddie, Kaylie and Lindsay posing.
Grandma in the fear the beard hat. I don't think she has it on just right!
After our traditional yummy breakfast of eggs (any style), hashbrowns (40?), bacon, sausage and juice, we hung around and visited for a while, while the kids played with their new toys and their cousins. Here are Kaylie and Charlie playing.
Lindsay singing some karaoke on Abby's new karaoke machine. The girls enjoyed that!
Later that day, we headed home to put things away, put on the new electric blankets and finish up our part of dinner.
Calissa also spent time putting together her new lego friends toy.
We went back over to meet everyone for dinner that evening. We love getting to have the whole family together since it doesn't happen that often. Merry Christmas!
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