Brown Baby Blog: Christmas w/ My Family

Saturday (day three of our ski vacation) was when we started Christmas with my family. So, as I mentioned in my previous post, it was stressful getting things worked out for that night. Because it was such a jam packed weekend, we had to open presents with my parents and sister that night because there was no other time to do it. But that was after we had dinner with my dad's side of the family. We had hoped to drive to Price to get our kids that night, but with the plan (that my parents instigated), it wouldn't work. So, my dad was nice enough to drive to Price to get my kids for me. My job was to find a babysitter for that night (since my kids aren't invited to the dinner). The biggest problem was that it was our ward Christmas Party that night, and so, I had to find a sitter that wasn't in our ward. Thanks to Karyn, I was able to do it. The dinner with my dad's side of the family is the only time that we get together with them. The sad thing is, we don't all get together, several of my cousins no show the party. I think it is a shame that for such a small family we can't get together once a year. My dad has two sisters and they come with there husbands. And each of the siblings has two children. So, in total there are six grandchildren. But at the party, it's my dad and his sisters, Cassidy and I and our spouses, and then one other cousin and his girlfriend come. That's it. My kids don't come. I'm the only one with young kids (I have some 1st cousins once removed that are closer to Cassidy's and my age). So, it was a small dinner (12 of us) at Tuncano's. But it was nice. It's good to make contact with them.

This is my cousin Nate, his girlfriend Brandy, and my dad.

Then after dinner, Mike and I went home, picked up our kids, and then drove out to Cassidy's house so we could open presents with my extended family. It was actually really good. I like to split up Christmas because there is not so much stuff opened all in one day. And everyone was really generous. My mom bought the kids great stuff, and even bought me new living room chairs (they've been on my wish list recently). Mike got a golf lesson from my dad (not a lesson from my dad, but my dad bought him one). So, it was really great. Thanks family.

This is a pop-up book that Ashton got from Cassidy and Nate, it's really cool and he loves it.

This is the family enjoying our Christmas.

These are my kids showing off some of their presents (the kids love their new suitcases.

Sunday brought Sacrament meeting only. And we went so that Emma could sing in the primary program. She was so excited. She is so looking forward to being in Primary. She loves singing time.

Then we loaded up and headed over to my mom's parents house. We got stuck in some yucky traffic (took the freeway down to one lane) so they ate without us. But waited till we got there to open presents. All the cousins that are still in high school or younger trade names. They include my kids even though they are great grandkids. Then we also get presents from my grandparents. Ashton has had some issues with this. Two years ago when they traded names, whoever had Ashton thought they had my cousin Austin so Austin got two gifts and Ashton got none, but he was 2 and didn't notice. So this year, the family member that had Ashton didn't realize we were exchanging gifts that day, and didn't have a gift for him. This year he was old enough to notice. Good thing it didn't last long.

This is Ashton and his new marble toy.

This is Emma with a my little pony that is not so little, she loves it.

Following the party at my grandma's house, we had another party to go to. We do a Christmas party with my grandma's brother's and sisters in Nephi each year. Santa comes and we do dinner. We've had this party ever since I was a little girl. I look forward to it even though we don't associate with anyone that is not in our immediate extended family.