Christmas Pictures!

We were obviously running out of time to get our Christmas cards sent out.  

I had to cancel our studio appointment when Gracie came down with the flu. 

When she got better, we couldn't get in for an appointment. 

So, what were we to do?  

Get dressed up and head to the park to take them ourselves.  

Ever try and get eight kids to stand still for a photo?  

Actually, these were taken at the end of our photo shoot and I asked them to run around like crazy.  

Since we were all dressed up and nowhere to go we headed out to one of our favorite restaurants for lunch. 

Albasha

We had our own little private room all decorated for Christmas.

  

Gracie wanted the lemon from my water.  

Ooooh

Sour!

She went right back for more though.

A good lunch was had by all.  

Hopefully your Christmas card will arrive before Christmas if not soon after.  

Yikes!  It's been almost a week since I posted.  (Don't tell Ted! Ha!)  

On Saturday we took the kids to Target so they could spend their Christmas Gift Certificates.

Look at Andrew up there on the left.  I have no idea . . . 

This is what Andrew picked out.  A new game for the XBox.

After much wailing over a pillow-pet (which he already has at home) Peter picked out a Captain America sheet set.  

The rest of the kids did some shopping as well.  Then we had to bring James to church for practice with the Salvation Station musicians.

We had the windows down in the van and Peter's hair was blowing.

Jon picked out a Mike the Tiger pillow pet for his gift at Target.  

A girl and her new jeans.  She's happy!

Andrew also got some licorice.

Matthew

Peter got some licorice too.

We went home and put the sheets on Peter's bed.  

He was happy (and tired).

Tonight is the BIG GAME!!  

LSU vs Alabama in the BCS Championship game.  

We're planning on pizza, chips and dip and some cupcakes to celebrate the big WIN  LOSS!! 

Well, at least the chips and salsa were good!   

Christmas Morning - Condensed Version!

Most every year when we open presents on Christmas morning, we set up the video camera to record all of the activity.  I decided to take a look at the video and share it with you.  In the interest of time, I have sped it up x16 so that it doesn't take so long to watch it.

Pretty funny to see the kids all over the place! 

Hope that you enjoyed it!

Christmas Eve

We had a great Christmas Eve.  We read some scriptures from the Bible.  We played games.  A friend from the neighborhood invited us over for some treats.  The kids had a lot of treats!

The stockings were hung. 

The meatballs were cooking.

We were also cooking lasagna for Christmas Day's dinner.  No, we didn't put any Cheerios in the lasagna.  

So, we had a good dinner and the kids all opened a present before bedtime.  Don't ask me what each of them opened.  I can't remember!  But it was fun.  Then they went off to bed and, after they fell asleep, we filled the seven stockings with Christmas goodies because they had ALL been good!  

They threatened to wake us up early the next morning . . . 

All They Want For Christmas

It took longer for the Christmas lists to be made this year.  We seem to be a bit busier than last year at this time!!   Once the lists are made, they're generally put on the fridge for all to see.  

Here are a few pictures of lists this year:

Alyssa helped Andrew make his list.   He's got a bit of a cowboy theme in mind this year.

Brian and I were teasing Faith and made an addition to her list at the bottom.  I didn't notice that she crossed it out until I put this picture on the computer!  Ha!

  

A little spy theme going on for Jon.  

James and Alyssa's lists are missing and Peter doesn't have one.  We're pretty sure he'll be happy with whatever he gets.  

They love to shop for each other and, in years past, it was a little crazy keeping track of who had bought for who.  Seriously confusing.  So, for the past several years, they just buy for one of their siblings.  

Every Thanksgiving the kids draw names.  Sometimes it's out of a hat, sometimes they pick a card.  This way each child buys for one brother or sister.  

The lists are made and it helps the kids decide what to get each other.  Of course, Brian and I use the lists to finish out our shopping too.  It's almost impossible to remember what everyone wants as it often changes from week to week!

With the names drawn and the lists made, the presents start showing up underneath the tree.  This happens simultaneously with the migration of the ornaments.  The pretty decorations slowly move up and away from the current baby's little hands.  

This year it's Matthew!

Too bad we can't put the presents up too.  He's been exploring under the tree lately.  Should be a fun Christmas!