Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve

The kids were excited to open their Christmas Eve jammies. .

I got them matching one this year. And I also got Doug and I the same ones too.

After getting ready, we went to my parents' house.

Grandpa and Coleman of course played games.

And the Kenyons came to town! They weren't planning on coming this year, but they were missing us, so they came :)

We love spending every second we can with them!

All the grandkids.

Ashlee had them recreate a picture from the last time the Kenyons were here for Christmas.

We opened family presents.

Coleman was hiding behind the tree so I couldn't see him very well.

A Calico Critter house!

A remote control car!

Coleman got a coin sorter. He loves it!

A puzzle!

After a delicious turkey dinner, we hit the pinata. Richard's sister, Laura, came with her family. Richard's parents were also there. And our friends the Schofields. There were a lot of kids excited to hit it and get some candy!

Coleman

Kenzie

Elijah

Nati

Jordan

Kenna

Kenna broke the pinata first.

After taping it back up, Jackson got a turn.

Sam, I guess I didn't get a picture of Alli...

Kimber. I was a little disappointed she didn't do it in the high heels she was wearing that day :)

Next we headed downstairs and read the Christmas story and sang songs.

Then we sang other Christmas songs.

And finally, the kids who wanted to played the piano. Jack and Jordan played their duet as well and their solos. Kenzie also played her solo. Coleman wasn't feeling well and might have had a fever, so he didn't want to do anything but sit on my lap. Luckily he woke up feeling much better the next day!

I love Christmas Eve! And I love living by family and being able to keep up the traditions I've had since I was little. And I'm so happy the Kenyons came up this year!

Gingerbread Houses

Last Sunday we went to Ashlee's house to make gingerbread houses (out of graham crackers, of course:)). Ashlee made her fantastic frosting glue and the houses held together really well.

We had a large assortment of candy to choose from.

Coleman was one of the first to finish. He was pretty proud of the two doorknobs his house had.

Jordan was the very fist. He used all his glue pretty quickly. His little gummy bears are having a very white Christmas!

Cam added lots of gingermen to hers.

Doug made a candy display shelf.

I used Ashlee's idea of making a log cabin with pretzels.

Mackenzie was really happy with how hers turned out. She kept asking me throughout the rest of that day "Do you like mine?" 

Jackson's turned out great too!

Kimber made a beach hut, complete with sand, water, and a palm tree (made of lettuce:)).

Alli's turned out so cute! I love all the snow on the ground.

Everyone with their houses.

Konrad made two this year, an igloo out of marshmallows and a tent.

Ashlee's was cute as always. She had to use some toothpicks to keep the snowman standing up.

We stayed after and played, ate dinner, and watched the Seahawks game.

Sam spent a couple more hours working on hers and it turned out amazing! 

I especially loved the little gingerbread houses she put in her giant house. So cute!

Another notable thing that happened, was that the men and some of the kids learned how to throw cards. For most of the time (when they weren't decorating gingerbread houses) they stood in the living room throwing Skip-Bo cards. Doug and Konrad did it the most. Doug almost broke Ashlee's Christmas plates decorations. The next day his arm was sore from doing it so long.