Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Yes, we made it through Christmas.  It was a joyous event.  The kids aren't allowed to start any Christmas activities until 7 am, when all of us are up and awake.  I was the last one to arrive this year.  I swear it was only 7:01..."It's about time, Mom." 

 

Then the beginning of opening presents began. 

 

 Kyle got a new Skylanders set--pirates or something.  He was pretty excited!

 

 

 Jacob opened his Live Butterfly Garden first.  Of course, we still have to send away for the caterpillars...but that will be fun.

 

 

 Eric got a pair of Ninja Turtle loungs pants...you can see how happy he was.  And that shirt he's wearing was new too.  We love various cartoon characters and Eric is always a good sport to wear all the "kid-like" clothes I get him...

 

 

 

Even Ziggy got a toy...a stuffed Santa with 8 squeekers!  He loves to rip these types of toys apart. (No, the squeekers didn't last long...he had them plucked out in no time at all).  Crazy dog!

 

 

 

 Brandon got some cool flute stuff, cleaning supplies and such...he looks pretty happy.  :)

 

 

And Dallin got his very own electric blanket for his bed.  He is going to LOVE that!  (I think he takes after his mom in this department).

 

 

 More pictures....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Yes, our living room is a mess!  It wouldn't be Christmas otherwise...

 

 

 I know this picture is hideous, but it's for posterity, after all.  Yeah, we were tired, but happy.

 

 

 It was a wonderful day filled with visits to/from family.  I didn't clean the living room for several days and we left our tree up until New Years Eve day....which is really surprising and never happens.  But Christmas just went way too fast this year...I needed to enjoy it a little bit longer.

 

 

 

 

 Merry Christmas!

 

Jones Family Christmas Party 2012/Happy Birthday Grandpa and Zach

We celebrated Christmas with the Joneses on Dec. 22nd.  We all had so much fun.  Mike and Shauna are always so kind to offer their home for these events.  Thanks so much, guys! 

 

We had dinner together...(you can't tell very well, but Eric had just gotten his wisdom teeth out 4 days before, and even though he was doing better, he was still a little swollen.  Poor guy)!

 

Pictures of the family...

 



 

We love you Grandpa Jones!  And we really miss Grandma a lot!

 



 

Ryan and Todd...smile you two!

 



 

 

More of the Jones clan....

 



We also celebrated Grandpa Jones and Zach's birthday, since they share it on the 19th.  Kristin used her mad cake-making skills to make an awesome cake for the occasion.  Grandpa and Zach each got one candle to blow out and make a wish (with a little help from the other cousins too)... :)  The reason there are 4 candles is because Shauna and Kristin also have December birthdays.  Cool!

 



Sweet Jasmine!  What a cutie!  She loves Dora!  Who doesn't?  :)

 



 

Even Matthew gave me a smile.  Totally awesome, dude!  Way to show those teenagers how to do it!

 



 

I love this picture of Jasmine...look at those sweet eyes.  They just melt my little heart.

 



 

 

Yes, Todd and I were there too!  Yippee!

 

 

 

It was a wonderful family event!  Everyone was there and we really enjoyed one another's company.  Merry Christmas Jones family!  

Dallin's piano recital

 

Dallin had his piano recital on Dec. 20th.  He got to play the opening and closing songs, in addition to his featured solo.   He did so awesome! 

 

 

 

Good job Dallin!  You are becoming quite the musician.  Keep up the great work!  (and keep practicing, even though it drives Brandon crazy)  :)

 



Johnson Family Christmas Party 2012

We had our annual Johnson Christmas Party this year on December 17th.  Wendy and her kids came for a couple of days, so we were able to celebrate with her family also.  It was tons of fun.  We had the party at Grandma and Grandpa's this year. 

 

Cute Jacob and Moriah...

 

 

 

We had dinner first.  Usually my children are a little more enthusiastic than this, especially when they are EATING...weird!

 



Oh, nevermind....here's some enthusiasm...(yuck)

 



The little cousins got to eat all by themselves in Grandma's hallway.  They thought that was pretty cool.  And it was great, until they started throwing food down into the big vent.  Sorry Grandpa!

 



Then, we had a talent show.  Dallin, of course, played the piano.  And it was even something out of the hymn book...he is doing SO well!

 



Kyle played a short number on his flute.  He's getting better all the time.  Great job!

 



Moriah just melted all of us with her cute smile!  Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks?  :)

 



Riley played a cool song on her iphone.  She had an app with a keyboard and it was like she was playing an electric piano.  It was pretty awesome!  Way to go, Riley!

 



Then, we all sang a song together, while Eric led, Brandon played the flute, and Dallin accompanied on the paino.  We've got our own little band here...

 



Then, it was time to open presents!  We couldn't leave without doing that!  Grandma and Grandpa gave each grandchild their own fleece blanket.  They all LOVED them, even the teenagers!

 



 

We all had a great time!

 



 

And someone even took a picture of me (not sure who). 

 



The evening was great!  Thanks grandma and grandpa.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Kyle's band Christmas concert

Kyle started the flute this year in 5th grade.  He was very excited for his concert. This was his first concert and he was a little nervous.  (What a cutie!  And do you see that tie?  It's Todd's, and it was a bit long, but who cares, right?  It's Christmas!)...

 

 

I don't know what he was nervous about.  He did amazing!  :)

 



 

Good job Kyle!  Your first concert was a huge success!  Way to go!