Our traveling break

Our plans for Christmas were to visit Brad's Grandma in Prineville, Oregon.  When we go down there we usually stop in Portland to see our friends.  This time we did the same thing.  As usual they were great hosts.  The best part is that we saw them just the week before and we will see them in another week. 

When we arrived they fed us dinner and we let the kids play for a little while.  Annika was excited that Brody & Colt got to sleep in sleeping bags and she wanted to sleep in one too.  So, we had our first sleepover.  We were a little nervous that it would make for a long night of sleep, but amazingly enough they all slept soundly and we had one of our best nights of sleep in a long time. 

Here is the crew getting ready to help make pancakes. 

Annika, Brody (with a sticker on his head), Colt, Ryker

Brody & Annika coloring

They were tired and slept for part of our trip to Prineville.

A few more pictures of our time at the Welke's. 

And a little video...with not too much on it. 

Cousin Christmas

The tuesday before Christmas we went down to my parents house to celebrate Christmas with Sean & Zephyr (since Zephyr wouldn't be here after Christmas and we would be gone).

Zephyr & Sean waiting to open their presents.

A bulldozer from Sean & Zephyr

Colt playing with his 2 new trucks.

Enjoying the chaos!

Papa Bob trying to teach the kids how to play Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Playing Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Andresen Xmas pictures

We always try to take family pictures at our Andresen Christmas Party.  It is fun to look back at pictures from long ago. 

Jason, Sean & Zephyr

Bob & Shari's family

Brad, Ollie, Papa Bob, Colt (hiding) Sayler, Grandma Shari, Janelle, Brody, Zephyr, Jason, Sean, Jessi, Justin & Gunner

(Great) Grandma Andresen with her great grandkids.
Ollie, Colt, Brody, Zephyr, Gunner, Sean & Sayler

Sean & Brad

Our hostess and host: Vicki & Roy

Aunt Delight & Uncle Butch

Roy & Vicki's Family

Jim, Nicole, Hodu (the cute little dog), Roy, Vicki, Kristi & Taylor

Bob, Butch & Roy

Roy, Grandma, Butch, Bob

Taylor & Kristi

Our picture will be coming later.

 

More xmas singing

Brad & Ollie

Colt with his mouth full of cookie. It's probably his 5th one.

Santa Sayler

Zephyr wanted to share some of his musical skills with us. 

Naturally, Brody wanted to share his too.  (although Brody's isn't a christmas song, but a dedication to his favorite people). 

Jingle Bells

We had our Andresen Family Christmas party the Sunday before Christmas.  It is always so wonderful spending time with this family.   A few pictures and then our classic family rendition of Jingle Bells. 

Nicole & Ollie (Jim is in the background)

 Aunt Vicki, Kristi, and Grandma Shari

Sayler & Brody (I think Sayler isn't quite sure what to think of all of this) 

Brody the reindeer. 

Colt & Gunner helping Papa Bob play the piano.

Brody helping Ollie open his present.

JINGLE BELLS!



Snowflake Lane - Take 2

Karl, Lori, Annika, Ryker and Sue (Karl's mom) came up to visit.  We decided to take the kids to Snowflake Lane. The saturday before Christmas made for a busy day at the mall but with a good ratio of 5 adults to 5 kids we still had a fun time.

Eating dinner before the show.  We were lucky enough to find a table for all of us. 

Annika checking out all the action. She is such a cutie!

Ryker was fascinated by the snow.  (unfortunately it was a blurry picture)

Colt on top of Brad's shoulders.

The characters left soon after the show ended so it was hard to get a picture with them.  I'm glad we were able to take pictures the last time we went. 

Even though it was very busy it was still a fun and festive time for all of us. 

This makes me laugh!

I have tons of pictures to share from our Christmas but as my friend warned there would be a day when I would run out of photo storage for my blog. (Thanks for the hot tip Kari!)   I'm in the process of getting more.  In the meantime I have this video (Apparently I have enough video storage) which makes me laugh every time I watch it.  

Our friends Karl, Lori, Annika & Ryker came to visit for the afternoon and evening.  Here we are just hanging out and the kids are dancing to Santa Claus is coming to town.  You have to watch for these things.

Colt launches a "tambourine" made out of paper plates.

Brody takes a different tambourine from Annika. 

Ryker spins in circles....and spins and spins and spins.

Brody hits Annika with his Mr. Lamby.  (who are his parents? what a bully!)

Karl picks up Colt and starts to swing him while Annika & Ryker keep on dancing.  (at least they are well behaved kids) 

Cul-de-sac Cookie Party

We hosted our 4th Cul-de-sac Christmas Cookie Party.  It was another huge success!  The kids had a great time and the adults were full of egg nog spirit.  We love our neighbors and feel so blessed to live where we do. 

Decorating cookies

Anahid & Catina 

Eating Dinner.  It was a potluck so everyone brought a little something to share.  (It made things a lot easier for me).

Brody & Liam

Brody eating his cookie

Amanda brought over the Kinect along with all of the games.  The kids had a great time testing them all out.  Here they are playing the dancing game. 

The two girls in this video are in dance class....which is why they are so good. 

Preschool Gingerbread Houses

Brody's preschool had a gingerbread making party.  I was so excited that I was able to go.  It was fun to see Brody in his classroom even though it made him look about 2 years older. 

As much as I wanted to decorate the house I let Brody do most of the designing....with a few suggestions from me. 

Brody and his silly face.

Brody made tihs rock path leading up to the front door.