The kids are so good in the car. We are so blessed! And now that they are getting older, we don't have to stop as often. We made the trip in record-for-us time -- just over 10 hours!
The boys love their cousins (especially Joshua with Megan and Benjamin with Katelyn), and loved every minute together! I wish we could live closer to see each other more often, but they sure make the most of the time we are together!
Megan and Joshua were pretty much inseparable all week!
On Christmas Eve we did the cousin gift exchange for the kids, and the sibling/in-law gift exchange for the adults. Then we enjoyed DELICIOUS enchiladas at Grandma-ma and Grandpa-pa's house.
Elizabeth was so excited to open a Rapunzel gift
These cousins are smart -- Star Wars Legos are perfect for Nathan!
Our little princess
After enchiladas, the kids got all their energy out on Uncle Brett -- literally!
I loved that Christmas was on a Sunday this year. It really gave us the chance to take a break from the gift excitement and remember the real reason for Christmas. But we also knew it would be hard to not let the kids open anything until after church at 10:30, so we let them open their stockings before church after they were all dressed and ready to go :)
I love that this totally captures Joshua's personality!
And this one captures Benjamin, too. A little more careful, quiet, and deliberate.
Oooh, chocolate in my candy cane!
Oooh, chocolate in my candy cane!
I know Nathan was more excited than this picture shows :)
What a cutie! And the red bow in her hair was her new gift from cousin Natalie.
After church they opened the rest of the Santa presents and we had a yummy brunch with eggs, cinnamon rolls, sausage, etc. We relaxed and played with cousins before then opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa.
Benjamin & Katelyn eyeing all the presents under Grandma's tree. With 16 cousins, there are a lot of presents!
Grandma-ma & Grandpa-pa came to watch the fun!
Did I mention that Joshua & Megan were inseparable?! Love it!
Did I mention that Joshua & Megan were inseparable?! Love it!
Elizabeth opened her first set of Legos -- cupcake Legos! Wow!
Even boys can have fun with pink cupcakes!
"Happy Birthday!"
Using her new Tinkerbell camera
Joshua later in the week enjoying his new scooter
The 3 boys were elated to all get new scooters! Benjamin got his favorite color, green.
Elizabeth wanted in on the fun, so Nathan shared.
Even cousin Hyrum wanted a turn -- Grandma picked a winning present!
The fun continued on Monday when we went to Grandma-ma's and Grandpa-pa's for pizza and more presents! We really are so blessed/spoiled, and I hope I can help my kids to always be grateful for all that they receive. I hope Ryan and I can know how to also teach them that as fun as the material things are, that family relationships and spiritual things are much more important and fulfilling. I am grateful for the chance we had this week to build those relationships!
We spent the rest of the week doing fun things like hanging out at the park (the weather was GORGEOUS!) and at cousin's houses. One afternoon we all went to see a fun movie, and all the kids wore their new Angry Birds shirts from Grandma.
I think we told them to look like Angry Birds for the pic, which is why some of them look funny!
Blake, Megan, and Joshua playing a game together
Some of the kids helped Grandpa take down his lights. Even Elizabeth joined in!
Elizabeth loves her new Magformers!
Nathan got Uno Roboto, and here he's playing it with Grandpa and Joshua
Playing at Chris & Cassi's house. I don't have pics, but we played a lot at Amy & Scott's house, too.
Benajmin is the monkey bar champ!
Benajmin is the monkey bar champ!
Hyrum & Elizabeth
The one negative for me during the week -- the i-devices came out a lot. But I guess I can handle that for just 1 week :)
The one negative for me during the week -- the i-devices came out a lot. But I guess I can handle that for just 1 week :)
Enjoying ice cream at Jason's Deli with the whole family
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