CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON

On Christmas afternoon we gathered back up at Grandma's and Grandpa's for more fun.  Mike picked up Grandma Jo from Jamestown and she joined in the fun.  There were more presents for everyone.  Kiersten kept saying, "Grandma you love us TOOO much!". 

CJ added to his personal library.....

 
The girls opened their favorite kind of packages......clothes.  We had a fun fashion show with the new wardrobe.  I hope that someday they will learn to appreciate that they are exactly the same size.  We have just started buying only ONE of some things.  Madi tried on this outfit from Gymboree and it became "hers".  Lexi and Kiersty weren't too pleased with that. 

The girls were so excited to give Grandma Jo their present.  They helped her open it.  Thanks to Mom for getting it put up on her wall at Jamestown. 

Then came the gift that I was waiting weeks for.  Mom (Grandma Barb) and I had seen a statue that we both fell in love with.   She decided to give it to Grandma for Christmas.  It reminded us both so much of Grandpa Rex and Grandma Jo.  It was a very teary moment, sweet and tender.  Mom hates having her picture taken, but I made her pose long enough to get more than one "good" shot. 

We had so much fun with Grandma Jo. 

 She was in good spirits. 

The girls taught her how to "raise the roof" 

Isn't she cute!

By the end of the evening the boys were hard at work using their new rubber band guns.  Since we had THREE (one for CJ, KC & Dave) it made for quite the showdown at the Johnson Coral!

Mike doesn't even need a gun to play along.....watch out!

KC could manage two at once.  

Here is a picture of ONE of the Helicopters being flow around the living room.

I entertained the group with my "Magic Tricks!"

Grandma & Grandpa gave each family PASS OF ALL PASSES!  & Tokens to go with them.  I'm sure there will lots of fun days ahead in the coming year. 

Last but not least, we all ate more cresents than we should have.  I think we baked up 20 dozen or more.  But what is christmas without a few dozen cresents and prime rib in your stomach. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING

The kids had worn themselves out on Christmas Eve at Grandma's house.  It was 8:20 before anybody was awake.  David and I had been up for a while, I put a yummy Sour cream blueberry coffee cake in the over and we waited..........

The text came from the basement.............we are awake!  Of course, Dad had to check the living room and light the fire (EASY), while the kids waited on the stairs. 

After the kids enjoyed their stockings they realized that there wasn't anything from Santa - but a note!  Madi read the note out loud and the hunt was on.  Where was it?

 

 KC re-read and tried to figure out where Santa had left his gift for them. 

THE GARAGE!!!!  Santa ran into a "SNAG" during the night and couldn't finish putting the swing set together, but he left it partially assembled in the garage.  The girls noted quickly that reindeer shouldn't be allowed to wait inside garages for Santa because they had left reindeer droppings by the box of parts. Those darn reindeer!

Sugar was content with her gift all morning long.

 Everyone enjoyed their gifts, even the boys like getting clothes now - if they come from the right place.

The girls got their very first AERO outfits!  It's hard to believe they are old enough for that.

This year we did something a little different.  Instead each child buying a gift for each sibling, everybody earned $20.  On the 23rd we had each family member draw a name of someone else, and we included mom and dad in the mix.  Then we started shopping.  The rules stated that you had to spend the entire $20.  The kids had a ton of fun shopping and figuring out just how far they could make $20 go!   The secrets were hard to keep, even for 48 hours.  Mom got a purse and Alexis got a rocking horse for her bitty babies.  

 Madi loved her horses, and Kiersten got a Momma cat and baby kitten that purrrrr.  That is the closest that we will ever get to having a cat in the house.

KC and CJ scored on the Frisbee's and GUNS!  Yes, they both got two guns.......rubber band guns, and air soft pistols.  Maybe Mom is getting soft in her old age.  They also loved their remote controlled helicopters that Santa left for them.  They both mastered flying quickly, and there were only a few crashes into the tree.  FYI - glass ornaments break when hit by helicopter blades, but they look really cool when a perfect slice of glass is missing out of the side.

After a perfect Christmas Morning,  everyone was all tuckered out.  BUT........there was still one more gift hiding at the very back of the tree.........

 WOW, what could these go to?  The hunt was on again, only this time, the camera got left inside.  Believe it or not, Mom and Dad's present to the family had been in the garage the whole time.  It took a while to find it, but working together they did it.  After bringing it in the house we took it down stairs and had an assembly party.  The Ping-Pong table takes up a big chunk of the family room but it's worth it.  The kids have really enjoyed playing on it, and it's great to fold clothes on:)



Christmas Eve

CHRISTMAS EVE

We spent the evening at Grandma & Grandpa Johnson's house.  They had a fun surprise for us in the basement!!!!!  Earlier that day, CJ & KC were hired as Grandpa's Elves and put together an awesome airplane.   The kids had so much fun playing that the parents all enjoyed a nice dinner, and the little ones were worn out!  Perfect Christmas eve plans Grandma and Grandpa!

KC gave Grandpa Curt an EYE chart in honor of his many eye exams this past year. 

After dinner, the kids got dressed up and we did the Nativity. 

McKenzie has had enough of being WISE!



Emilyn was a big help to Aunt Becky at the Piano.



Grandma had P.J.'s for everyone!

One of Madi's favorite gifts was her locking diary and a color changing pen.

Emily & Matisyn got new babies and cribs from Grandma.  Twins and Triplets.



Grandma Jo was very worried that we were going to throw away the packing material......Those Chux need to be saved.  She folded them up and tucked them in her wheel chair. 

 We had a great evening, took the kids home ready for bed, and waited for Santa to arrive.............