Christmas 2014

Marc and I left the kids at Gramie and Poppi's for the week before Christmas so they could hang out with their cousins...we had to work.  Gramie had lots of stuff planned including making these cool snowmen from items they found at home.

We came back on Christmas Eve...just in time for cousin pictures with matching PJs.

Merry Christmas Olivia, Marcus and Emma.

The kid were up early Christmas morning.  Marcus was super excited to have his Daddy back for snuggles in the morning.

The girls were excited to have Mommy for morning snuggles too.

All the kids were super excited to see what Santa brought.  Auntie Kimmie made everyone wait until all the adults were ready.

They were okay with it at first.

Then they started to lose their patience.

Tracy, Gramie and Kimmie thought it would be fun to take lots of pictures.

Then off they went.  Look at those huge gifts!

Marcus started with his stocking...lots of goodies there.

Emma couldn't believe it!  A new camper and jeep for the girls' American Girl dolls.

Olivia showed me all the cool things inside.

She LOVED it!

I thought it was pretty cool too.

Marcus got a cool remote control and motion censored dinosaur.

It was very cool...it is almost like a pet!

Breakfast time!  Yum!

The kids got dressed then it was time to open gifts from everyone else.

Marc and I got the kids mini ipads this year!

Look at that mess of presents...everyone was spoiled!

Let's just say the ipads were a hit.  There will be rules...but we let them explore for the rest of the weekend.

We drove down to Yakima on Friday morning to take Grandma to lunch.  It was great to see her.  She is doing awesome!

Gramie and Poppi hit the road to Arizona yesterday and we stuck around for one more day to close up their house for them.  Raymond also came over for a visit...I don't know what I was thinking, I didn't get one picture of Raymond. 

 This is our 2014 Family Photo taken just before everyone left.  

Overall it was a great Christmas this year!

Merry Christmas everyone!  Happy New Year too!

Decorating for Christmas

We finally got our tree last weekend.  The kids got busy right away decorating it.  Marcus was very careful not to break any ornaments.

Olivia talked about each ornament and told us her memories.

Emma loved seeing everything again and also shared her memories of each one.

The kids are getting taller...the bottom of the tree was actually bare this year!

All done!  Great job kids.

Another beautiful Christmas Tree.

I actually have a fireplace to hang the stockings from this year.

Merry Christmas!  We are ready!

Santa 2014

They are getting to be pros at this...they were asked if they were models too...so cute!

3rd & 4th Grade Christmas Concert

Yesterday was the 3rd and 4th grade concert.  The 3rd graders lined up first.

The girls got to play a beautiful song on the xylophones...it was beautiful!

Then there was lots of singing.

The girls actually stood together.  So cute.

Marcus was excused from class to watch his sisters.

Don't you love the background.  The kids' handprints are on the paper.

Malia, Emma, Marcus, Olivia and Lexie.

Picture with Mrs. Sweeney...we love Mrs. Sweeney!

My Girls!

We had our annual Christmas Party this afternoon.  I've grown to love these girls throughout the years.  Our company was purchased by a larger company this year and sadly two of these girls' jobs have been eliminated.  So, this is a bittersweet picture...our last Christmas Cheer picture.  Mary did say she was going to crash next year's Christmas party...we've vowed to continue our girls lunches too so I know it's not the last time we'll all be together...I'll surely miss being together at work though.

Marcus Sings

Marcus had his Christmas Concert this morning.  He started out playing the xylophone...I took video of that so no pictures.  Then they sang "All I want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth"...so cute.

They also sang "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer".  He did very well.

Here are all the 1st graders...love this age.

The girls got excused from class so they could watch too.  Their concert is tomorrow morning.

It was lots of fun to see Marcus perform.  Good Job Marcus!

The Perfect Picture

It's funny what we go through to get that perfect Christmas Card picture...I hadn't taken one yet so today was the day...I was waiting for snow, but it doesn't seem to be happening yet so I decided let's just get this done.  Marc was nice enough to be my model for setting up the camera.

Then we got the kids out.

Just as the camera clicked, Tucker decided to join in.

Opps...I moved the camera when I was pushing the buttons...almost cut us off!

Okay Tucker...that's not going to work!

Please look at the camera Tucker...

I think we got it!  I can't believe it!  Not to bad!