Christmas 2010

Christmas Day is always a little stressful, but I am always so glad we get to see both families. We had a wonderful Christmas. We got up at 7 (had to wake the kids up), opened our gifts then got in the car and drove to Mesa to be at the Hall's at 10. We opened gifts there and had lunch and then went to the Day's for the evening. We told the kids we weren't going to buy lots of girts and they were totally fine with it. They each got a Santa gift, then bought for each other, and then Jeff and I decided to buy a Wii. Our kids were so excited!! That was the one thing that we've all wanted but we told them it wasn't going to happen. I love that they were so surprised. I don't even have a picture of it because I was taking a video. But I think I may have been more excited about it then my kids.

Daisy is obsessed with Max Hall. She wanted a Max Hall Cardinal jersey. Seeing as he was a rookie and got injured and is out the rest of the season, I knew that wasn't going to happen. So Santa had to improvise, but she was ecstatic about it so it was all good.

Cooper was more excited about his .99 matchbox tank than his $30 Buzz Lightyear. Santa knows what to do next year.

Lindsay is so easy going, she never even made a request, making it kind of difficult for Santa. But she was happy about it.

The chair

When my grandpa was younger, this chair was the only thing he got one year. My aunt brought it over one night while we were there and told the story. I wanted each one of my kids to sit in it and reflect on what Christmas is all about. Sometimes we get a little greedy and want more and more, but it was very humbling to have my kids hear the story while my mom read it and my grandpa sat in the chair and cried. He said he remembers that Christmas so well. I love my grandpa. I am so glad he gets to come and spend some time with us for a few months.

Christmas Eve

The 2 lovebirds, Randy and Dev.

Getting ready for the nativity. Joseph (Cooper) has the important stuff.

I love how Joseph decided he need to eat Charlston Chews all night.

Look at him ditching Mary.

And decided to relax on the recliner. Man that kid is funny!

Christmas Eve

My parents, Randy, Dev, Jamee, and Toree, and Grandpa Hansen came out to Buckeye for Christmas Eve. we made Costa Vida burritos for dinner. We went to the park and played sand volleyball, and tennis. We had yummy dessert and acted out the nativity. We started early so my parents left around 7pm. The kids were in bed by 8 and I got to bed at 9:30. It was awesome!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Hall's. We didn't even attempt to take family pictures this year. I wasn't in the mood. Just pretend you got this in the mail:)

Finally

One of Cooper's goals for his fine motor skills at school is to pedal his bike. We have been trying and he is just so stubborn and he wouldn't do it. When we got Cooper's progress report, his teacher said they were having a hard time getting him to get on the bikes at school. Jeff had had it. He took him out one morning and had him riding it in a half hour. I think he finally realized he needed to do it because all the kids at school were riding them and having fun. Now he loves it and wants to go on bike rides all the time.

We took him to the mall to see Santa but he didn't want to sit on his lap. So he opted for a picture of the train.

Goofballs

I wanted a nice picture of my kids in front of the tree. As you can see it didn't happen. Cooper comes home from church all crazy. I turned around and he had this on his head so then the girls joined in. And I didn't want to fight it so I told them all to stand in front of the tree. Maybe this could be our Christmas card?

Christmas Program

We got to go to the girls school to listen to them sing their Christmas songs. Each grade sang 3 songs so they split up the grades. We ended up having to go 2 nights. We were warned by our friends that they didn't have the best music program. I would have to agree not the best singing in the world but we got to go watch our girls. And I will say that Lindsay was much more enjoyable to watch than Daisy. Daisy wouldn't crack a smile and barley moved her mouth. Oh the joys of pre teen. They're gonna kill me. Lindsay on the other hand was so smiley and sang her heart out.

Random pics of November

When we go to the East Valley to visit, we usually stay for the weekend so we get to see our cousins and play. These 2 boys are so funny. They are best friends/worst enemies. haha. Not really, but we are still working on the sharing thing and not wanting what the other person has.

We went to the downtown Buckeye celebration and took the kids to the Demolition Derby. They also had lawnmower races.

Cooper loves to watch movies on the computer. I just thought he looked cute after church. He was holding Rex and watching The Land Before Time.

Cabin Progress

Jeff and his dad went up to the cabin to see how it's coming along. It's looking good. We are super excited for the new cabin. There is going to be lots of room for everybody. We're so thankful his parents are building this for all of us to enjoy.

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving weekend with our families in Mesa/Gilbert. We rotate families because 2 Thanksgiving meals is too much for me. This year we ate with the Hall side. The cousins had lots of fun laughing and playing together.

The kids went downstairs and practiced a dance concert for us. That's one of the favorite things to do when they are all together.

Uncle Troy and Nathan played flag football with the little kids. Lindsay loved it and Cooper even got in on the action. We just would call him Max Hall and he would run around with the kids.

The "huddle". Nathan was so good with these kids. They loved it. And I love Lindsay's crack!