The Sweater Christmas

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were everything I hoped they would be: full of family, fun, and traditions. My mom gave all of the men a sweater in varying shades of grey and blue. I think Peter got two or three; enough that he quipped: "I call this 'The Sweater Christmas.'"

Christmas EVE!!

A new tradition: A white elephant game. We had fun seeing what items Lindsey had come up with, and stealing Slinkys, Princess puzzles, and bungee cords away from each other!

A small, yet stalwart, cast for the Nativity

This screams "I'm doing this not because I want to, but because you asked me to." I appreciate them being good sports. They were so cute as Mary and the Angel!
(I love Dad videotaping in the background. Hope to see the video someday!)

Talent show!
The G-child's piano skills are growing!

"Christmas Bells are Ringing"

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

"Twas the Night Before Christmas"
I love hearing my mom read out loud. Truly one of her most valuable skills!

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
(Speaking of growing skills)

Dave recited a cool Shakespeare-era poem about the resurrection. Impressive and lovely! 

Singing carols and ringing bells.  You haven't heard "Jingle Bells" until you've heard my siblings clucking and mooing their way through it. Funniest thing I've heard in a while!

Lime slushie and a beautiful couple in flannel. That's the dream!

Christmas DAY!!

Dad surprised Mom with a new diamond ring. She cried.
"I thought someone would get a ring this Christmas, but I didn't think it would be me!"

Old (not really) blue eyes
(Doesn't his expression remind you of the official photos for the General Authorities?)

 The calendars were a hit! Better yet, my mom's exact words when she saw the cover photo were:
"That's the best picture of me, ever! Let's put it on Facebook!"

The latest from Mom's campaign to steer Aaron away from his stylin' printed t-shirts ;)

I admit, I totally cried when I opened this pass for the Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience, and my brothers all slow-clapped.
I am BEYOND excited to meet most of the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation in April!
It's my fifteen year-old dream come true!

"The Frozen castle!!"

Zonks and Breezy could not have been more excited about their new dollhouse. They reacted very differently...

...Here is Zonks quietly hugging it before it is entirely unwrapped :D

Breezy fell down a lot trying to thank Grammy and Boppa. As Aaron said: "The ability to walk is overrated when you get a good present." When she couldn't get close to Boppa because of all of the gift, wrapping, and footrest obstacles, she kissed his foot. Dad laughed, "A lot of people have had kissed on their lips and cheeks today, but I'm the only one who got it on his feet!"

Lindsey and I both received this fancy trash can, and we were both thrilled! 

In Lindsey's words: "It might be sharing the bed with Adam and I tonight."

Haha!

(Now we see where Zonks inherited her quiet reaction ;-) )

Everyone had fun with the Dominoes set the kids received. Unfortunately, we haven't quite gotten the knack of how far apart to set them. It was still fun!

Our resident engineer/med student builds a crazy-tall tower

My friends and family were so generous this year. I don't deserve them!
(But I will keep them ;-) )

I know I take it for granted how well my family gets along. I watch movies and t.v. shows where families yell at each other, and I can't relate (I loathe those kinds of shows). I won't pretend it's all happiness and understanding all the time, but generally we appreciate and support each other and enjoy being together. I am so lucky! I sure do love these people.

It was a little bittersweet knowing this is the last year of our family the way it is now; the way it has been for the last three years. Next year, we'll have a new baby and a wedding (dare I hope for two or three of each?)! Good changes, for sure. We have enjoyed being a family of twelve. Looking forward to the added love and fun the new family members will bring!