Christmas recap

We are home from a great trip to Colorado for Christmas. My ENTIRE family was there, except for my oldest niece, who stayed in UT to work. It was so great to have everyone together for the holiday.

Things were busy, crazy, chaotic with all 18 members of my family staying at my parents house but it was SO fun too. We stayed plenty busy with things. Here's a quick recap of what we did:

Tons of sledding: It didn't snow while we were there but had snowed right before we arrived and the snow stuck around for the entire week!

Snuggling in G&Gs bed and watching lots of movies: Cousin Sleepovers (and very little sleep for those involved!):
Ice skating (first time for both big kids):

Lots of art projects (my sister is an art teacher and she always has the best ideas!):

(this was a shaving cream and food coloring tie dye project - very fun!)

WAY too much eating (I come from a family of foodies so there is always, always something amazing to eat):

(Allen and my BIL John making homemade scones on Christmas eve)

A night out to see the Christmas lights and go out for dessert:

(Lulu bundled up to see the Christmas lights)

Baking and Decorating Christmas cookies:

Lots of shopping:

(Addie got stuck on this rocking horse in the middle of Deseret Book - it was so cute!)

Tons of Basketball & Foosball games:

Our Traditional Christmas Eve Nativity Reenactment:
(Allen as Joseph, Makenna as Mary and Addie as Baby Jesus - we did not try to monopolize the holy family but no one wanted to be Mary or Joseph - aren't those the roles everyone is supposed to want?!?)(Carter as a wiseman along with my niece and nephew as the other wisemen)

And of course, the fun and chaos of Christmas morning:

(all the kids before coming down for present opening)


(Addison's first Christmas! Opening her stocking. The present opening was totally lost on her. She was so tired and we ended up just putting her back to bed and opening her presents for her. Kind of funny!)

(The tree before the unwrapping frenzy began)

Family Pictures:

(All the girls in the adorable cupcake aprons my mom made for us - even Addie got a teeny tiny apron - they are TOO cute)

Not pictured:

Tons of time playing board games

Lots of Wii (Carter is an amazing bowler, he bowled a 220 on one of his games)

Going to the movies (we saw Tales of Desperaux and Benjamin Button)

A quick visit/lunch with our CT friends the Crockett's

The big kids did so well on the drive - 14 hours each way. The kits were a HUGE hit and really did keep them quite busy on both the way there and back. Addie had a rough go of it and hated being in her seat but we did ok. It was well worth it for the time we were able to spend with my family!

Hope your Christmas was equally as merry! We are enjoying another week off of school/work and being lazy and having fun!