Christmas, New Years and Everything Else...

This last month we've had a great time with friends, family and holiday's to celebrate.  We feel so lucky and blessed to have what we have.  I couldn't find our holiday pictures on the camera until just today, so you can imagine the happiness and relief I felt when I found them and all the fun and memories they brought back.  I thought our Christmas/New Years 2011 was lost forever.  So, enjoy the belated holiday pics... I know I did!

Pre-Christmas Fun!

We got to spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Whitworth this year.  They flew in from California and we had so much fun visiting, baking and building with them.

Nora especially LOVED having her Grandma at her finger tips for a whole week.  They made Orange Coconut Christmas Bread.  So yummy!

Stratton got lots of time with his favorite uncle Josiah.  He was in heaven for sure.

On Christmas Eve we took a trip up to SLC and went to see the lights on Temple Square.  It was FREEZING! 

Nora and Mommy trying to stay warm while watching the life size nativity show.

Strat and Dave were both trying to be good sports up there.  Unfortunately nothing was open (obviously), so it was kind of a bummer.  The lights were great though, we just didn't/couldn't stay long.  We finished the night off with Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.

Christmas Morning!

On Christmas morning, Nora drug us out of bed super early and was so excited to open presents.  We didn't have to go to church until 1:00pm so it was nice to have an easy going Sunday Christmas morning.

I really don't understand why he is crying?  What would possess a kid to cry like this on Christmas morning?

Ok, that's better!  Honestly, I have never seen a kid so excited and happy to get a ball EVER!

"One for you Daddy... let me help you!"

Seriously, are we done yet?  Next year we plan to scale WAY down.

This was my awesome Christmas present this year.  A big pile of wood, yes indeed!  My handy hubby and father-in-law began building shelves in our garage so we can have some order and organization in there FINALLY!  Yeeess!  More pics at the end.

I made this family banner for my mother-in-law.  It represents their family with appliqued pictures and embroidery.

Christmas Cheetos Hands!

Time for church...  Notice there is no snow, we are coatless walking to church, and the sun is blaring in our eyes.  Not your typical "white" Christmas.

Nora with her 2 Grandpas.

Nora with her 2 Grandma's.

Strat with his 2 Grandpa's

Strat with his 2 Grandma's.

Post-Christmas Fun!

Garage construction BEFORE picture.  All we had were those 2 tiny, flimsy shelves to try to stay organized.  Not good at all!

Garage construction hard at work.  The boys decided to also insulate and put sheet rock on the unfinished wall.  It made the project longer, but so worth it in the end.

Could this kid be any more excited to be out working with his Daddy and Grandpa?

Yes, he's pushing a baby stroller, but his "baby" is a wall-texturing brush.... That's ok right?

That's my girl!!!

Isn't this a pretty sight?  BOTH cars fit in the garage with no problem.  Those shelves rock!!!

New Years Eve Party
My family came over to our house this year to enjoy and welcome in the new year.  We had great food and did our normal traditions which included my dad's gift exchange, family predictions, games, Wii,  and more food.

Here we are awaiting our favorite part of New Years.  My Dad wraps up "man gifts" in newspaper and then we draw numbers to see who gets what.   Some are definitely better than others.

Jay and Lindsey got away with the 2 best gifts of the lot, those Lucky Dogs!  I got a pencil sharpener..... but then later found a $20 bill folded and tucked away inside of it.  Made for a much nicer pencil sharpener! :)

The night ended with lots of Brian Regan Comedy and Wii playing.  I had to take this picture because how many 60+ year olds do you know that can rock it at Guitar Hero? .... Yep, that's my Mama!!!