Christmas Morning

With so many families at Grandma K's house this Christmas it was fun trying to find our stockings. Here was ours.

Here are the adults trying to find the kids stockings before mayham broke loose.

On your marks, get set, Yes you may FINALLY go down the stairs.

But the kids seemed to be able to find their stockings. I finally made stockings for Kylee and Kaylyn this year!! I made an extra one just so I was ahead, but we aren't making any annoucments. Unfortantly we have to wait until school is done for that. I am hoping to add the cuff before next Christmas. I'm proud of myself for finally getting them done. Even Kaylyn was excited this year.

And Kaylyn was most excited about--the candy. What a sweet tooth this girl has.

Kylee's flashing ball.

Trent's family checking out their stockings.

Tiffany and Spencer on the floor, with Grandma K, Grandma and Grandpa Cook on the coach. They seem to be moving slower than the kids....

Todd and his new P.J.'s He seemed to like them until the young women in our ward gave us matching BLUE pjs. Blue is his favorite color and these have been relagated to second choice.

Kaylyn has LOVED the stacker Aunt Julie gave her last year. She liked this one too.

Grandma K finally checked out her own stocking.

Uncle Spencer and Aunt Tiffany.

Kaylyn playing with her new bracelete and bath toys.

Jancice showing off her new family picture. Santa I would be happy with one of my family next year or when we move into bigger home.

Todd and Trevor playing with Spencer's new maze. It was pretty cool.

The hit was the Trent Nef's new ropping dummies. I think everyone tried at least once. Here T.J. helps teach Kylee how to rope.

Kaylyn and her new book. Kaylyn likes to be read to and love the touch me feel me books.

Uncle Trent helping Jake learn the right technique so as not to loose a thumb.

Even Grandpa got into the roping! The best was when he roped Grandma Cook. She told him, he had caught her long ago. Grandpa would try to rope most any target. You had to be careful going through the living room.

Kylee liked the horse except when someone was trying to be nice and push it.

Here is a shot of Grandma K and her bulky, broken arm. But we love her. She is wearing the new pj pants we got her. And you can see she hasn't quite gotten into her stocking in this picture.

Tiffany and Spencer

Aunt Trudy and Uncle Anthony helping Karla pass out gifts. Grandma K still did a valient job in passing out as best she could. Since we left a lot of our grandma gifts at home, Karla and Kylee didn't have as much to open (we made up for it when we got home). So they helped Grandma K pass out presents. The problem came when Karla is named after Grandma K. "Look mom what I got." Karla

Me "I don't think anyone gave you Spa socks. Where did you get those?"

"They had my name on it mom."

Grandma K "Thanks so much for helping me open it since I have my broken arm." Grandma K was a great sport. And in the end, she gave the girls one bag of M&M's (out of 4) for helping her to open her presents since her arm was broken. Thank you Grandma K!

Jake

Karla opening a Princess movie from Uncle Garth. The girls have loved it too. They don't even seem to notice or mind that it's not disney. It's a nice change of pace.

Todd!! I was so excited. I told Jonathan I wanted to get Todd an MP3 player to replace the cheapy one that finally died and a bluetooth. I had found both for about $35. Jonathan was awoken on Black Friday by his puppy. So he got up and got me both for the price of one. I was so excited to be able to give him both. But then I found this game for a third of the normal price. And I couldn't resist. We like munchkin. Plus Todd got the pj's he needed. I didn't pay of half price for anything. I was so excited to be able to do this for Todd. Next Christmas might be a little slimmer for us. But that's okay too. We got spoiled this Christmas.

As for me, I got the traditional specialty cheese. I have had to many Christmases that I couldn't have candy due to guesational diabetes. So I get specialty cheese. I really enjoy them, but they are expensive, so this is the only time I get them. This year, Todd did great!! And then he made me this beautiful coat hanger. It was hanged at waist level so I don't have to keep hanging up my girls backpacks and coats! I LOVE it. And he made it so beautiful too. He was going to get me a nice pillow which we hope might help reduce my headaches, but my car quit working. He spent the money and then some on parts and tools. I like having a working suzy car and am very pleased with this gift too. It broke down Saturday morning when we wanted to leave early Monday. Had he taken it in to the shop--we probably wouldn't have left on time or had all the gas money we needed. So this was a doubly good gift.

Grandma K gave the girls hats and crayons. The girls loved them. They still pick their Grandma hats 8 times out of 10.

Grandma and Grandpa Cook have been on a mission in SLC. So having them up for Christmas was a special treat. We haven't gotten to see them in a long time, and we miss them. Here they are opening the nuts and chocolate we got them. I really didn't know what else to do for these amazing missionaries. Maybe I should have gone with a tie.

Aunt Cyntha made these beautiful hair clips for the girls. We have enjoyed these and those made by Aunt Emily. I've been thinking for Kylee's birthday maybe I'll have to ask Aunt Emily to make some pink ones and maybe some green ones too. But we will see as the time comes closer. But we love the ones we have.

Anothony was very excited to give Trudy all the gear they need to go rapelling. How fun!!

I wasn't the only one taking pictures.

I couldn't help but capture the MESS and CHOAS of this many people together for Christmas. It was so good to be with everyone. As I got thinking about it later, I don't know that we will EVER be able to have a Christmas like this again. We had 7 out of 8 siblings together. 5 of those 8 were on a two week break from school. Even if we are able to get together for Christmas again--to be able to line up all of our two week vacations again is probably not probable once we all graduate. It was a special experience and I'm glad we didn't miss it.

Aunt Janice opens her piano bag from Momma Nef.

Karla made a card at church saying she would give you a hug for Christmas. Karla decided to give it to Grandma K. And Grandma K said it was one of her favorites.

This toy did not make it through the day. But they loved it! And then--the roping in action: this one is TJ helping Karla. Our cute little cowgirl. She has asked Dad for a horse. Dad asked her if she'd rather have a horse or a bigger/another room? She did vote for the room although relucantly.