Merry Christmas!

Here are the highlights of Christmas 2012!!
I LOVE Christmas Eve if not MORE, than ALMOST MORE, than Christmas Day!

This is a tradition I have brought from my family and slightly embellished!

Kaycee is very happy about it!

A YUMMY Seafood Dinner!

Jug brings his family tradition (slightly embellished) to it as well!!

We added Prime Rib to the meal this year...and it will likely be returning in years to come!  Soo good!!

Everyone always enjoys and participates in the preparations,

as well as the consumption!

Our evening follows a pretty traditional schedule!

The reading and acting out of the

Nativity is all part of it!

Vector...was a new addition to the evening the boys added this year!

And of course...the unwrapping of ONE Gift!

I always say "it MIGHT NOT be Pajamas this year"...but it always is! ;)

Coleman:  "BIG TRACK!!!!!!"

The excitement level has always almost peaked for this picture...and it is all we can do to keep them to sit still for it!!

They did a good job! :)

Sometimes Jug has to take matters into his own hands!

Then the note with cookies and Eggnog gets left  for Santa!

(We always leave him a Pepsi in the fridge...just in case!)

Then its off to check Norad, out to see if we can see Rudolph, then all five of them piling into the little girls bedroom for our Favorite JOLLY OLD SANTA book and Twas the Night Before Christmas. 

It really is so magical...and I haven't had a year yet where I don't wish it could all last just a little longer.  That they would "stay this age FOREVER!"

I love that we are all together, without any other distractions, and can focus on the miraculous birth of our Savior, the love that we feel from him, and the blessing it is to have each other to share this mortal existence with.  For the opportunity we have to give to others, in trying to let other receive the Joy that is felt from feeling Loved.  It really is a little piece of Heaven right her on earth for me!

And then in what literally feels like a "BLINK OF AN EYE"

it's all over and the kids are up and ready to see if the Jolly Old Man made it here!

Almost looks like he left them a puzzling riddle this year!

But...he didn't....

Reed's new bat he hopes to put to good use this spring.

Abbie's new art center and scooter.

Kaycee's new soccer cleats she has never before so desperately wanted to wear and USE!

A long awaited Ipod for Janey!

And a new BB GUN for Coleman!

Then...off to church it was!

Merry Christmas Everyone...may the spirit linger a little longer for all of us this year!

SHHS Basketball....St. George

Who doesn't like to cram a little getaway in RIGHT before Christmas??!

Apparently it doesn't bother SHHS Basketball!

They've gone down for a tournament the past four years!

This year...since we have a coach and a player on the team we all decided to join in the fun!! It actually was a nice getaway.

Here's Jug in Action!

Kaycee had fun hanging out with the girls team.

We missed having her with us...luckily we crossed paths a few times!!
We're hoping to watch you PLAY next year!!

Family Christmas Parties!!

We love Family Christmas Parties!!

There is always PLENTY of entertainment...both planned and UNplanned!

Yes...the above collage is the Jacklin CHRISTMAS party...even though it looks more like a Halloweeen party!

***

And below are a few pictures from the Flinders Christmas party.

A little more traditional, complete with a surprise visit from SANTA!!

I'm a little off my picture game this year...not enough pictures with the cousins.

SAD!

But, we do love our families and thoroughly enjoy our time with them!

Champions!

What a good looking, nice group of young men!

This year it was the 2 Salem teams playing for the

Championship game of the

 Utah's Mr. Basketball League.

Coleman's team came out on top...after a well played game on both sides.

Good Work Boys!!  You have a bright future!

Christmas Dancing!

Every year Miss Cindy gives us a few weeks off before and during the holidays!

I really appreciate that about her!

But, she always lets the girls have a cute, little, Christmas Dance Recital on their
last lesson before the break.

It is super casual and low key...but the girls love it!

I like seeing them dance to Christmas songs!

This year, I totally forgot to get pictures of Janey! :(

I am really losing it, I know!

So, I guess I will just put another of Abbie!

Ha! ;)

ACTUALLY...Look! 

 I just found this one of Janey last year!

Ha Ha...

it will have to work....sorry Janey!

I did get Coleman and Kaycee to help me with the videoing...(I hope it will load!)

I am so grateful for these two girls and the fun ages they are at.

They don't require much and are so appreciative for the little things!

They really help me feel the "Magic" of the season!

Thank You Janey and Abbie!

I love you!

More Friendly Cousin Competition on the Court!

We love to meet up with family in our athletic activities!

This time it was Coleman (Blue #1)

and Weston (Red #28)!

Unfortunately...I spent more time visiting and less time photographing!

But here is one sorry shot I did get!

The boys both played great!

As usual, Red ended up winning!

It is great for Grandpa and Grandma to get a 2 for 1!

I am so grateful to have such great cousins for my kids to hang out with!  We love you all!!

NFR Baby!

Jug was given his favorite birthday present yet this year from his Dad...2 tickets for 2 nights of the National Finals Rodeo!  We had the best time!  It is an amazing rodeo with only the best of the best participating! We especially enjoyed watching our Payson Hometown Cowboys; Kaycee Feild and Wesley Silcox!  THANKS a million Roy...and beware...he may be asking for this every year! Ha!! :)