Christmas 2010

We spent a lovely Christmas up North this year with the Anderson crew.  The girls had a blast staying up late, playing with cousins, eating cookies, opening presents, eating ice cream, and even playing out in the snow.  It was a very Merry Christmas!

Arriving at the candlelit Christmas Eve church service.

Excitedly waiting for the service to begin.  Thankfully, Hadley sat with a very patient and watchful Auntie Kara, as Hadley's hair nearly caught fire a couple times (with all of her wiggly excitement :). 








After a delicious prime rib & shrimp dinner, all of the (non-Alaska) cousins patiently waited to open presents!  ~Ava, Paige, Piper, Sydney with Hayden behind, Hadley, & Brooke~ 

Christmas morning we were greeted with gifts from Santa on the fireplace, and a special gingerbread house project with Auntie Kara (who was once again, very patient!).  The girls thoroughly enjoyed making and even sampling their houses.

The 'kid' table for Christmas Day lunch. 

We were greeted by another nice surprise the following day, as Auntie Kara, Uncle Frank, and Brooke came down to do a little sledding with the girls.  They were thrilled with the sliding, but even more impressed by Uncle Frank's uncanny ability to knock down 'delicious' icicles!

Getting in a little snuggle time with Brooke before we hit the road back home.

And, yes, that is just as it looks...a puke bucket for the ride home. And, no, we did not get it there in time. Kyle's truck has a 'nice' scent to it right now, and Hadley's carseat straps have seen cleaner days. But somehow, all the yuckies disappeared as we entered our house and discovered that Santa had been there, and we still had a lot more present to open!  We will be hopeful & prayerful as we wash up the laundry (7 loads already today!), repack our suitcases, and prepare to ring in the New Year with my family just four short days from now, that no one else will need that (dang) puke bucket!