Christmas Day

I don't know who was more excited the cousins or their parents. Christmas takes on new meaning as parents. You can't wait to see your child's reaction to a new toy or game you've picked out for them. We were all so excited to share our gifts with each other. It was definitely a Christmas to remember.

A big long foam sword from Santa!

A remote control car from Grandma and Grandpa

Some sticky wrapping paper

Another present?

The boy's dress shirt gift

TJ's scoping out Spencer and Benson's gifts

The Little People Car Garage from Mom and Dad

Red licorice in the stockings

A few funny moments from the morning.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was special this year in the Russell home. Not only did we have the joy of everyone being together but we had grandkids old enough to dress up in biblical attire for the reading of Christ's birth. Even though the kids weren't quite old enough to act out the story they did a good job listening, sining and dancing.

Grandpa reading the Christmas story with Angle Savvy and Joseph TJ

Jena made a beautiful Mary and Benson played the part of sleeping baby Jesus

Russell was a shepherd/dancing wise man

What a cute Joseph

Attention span is up

Galloping wise man on his horse?

All the siblings went in on a special group gift for Papa (which he opened and tried on the night before). So after the Christmas story Papa Dean got called to the hospital and we were visited by a very excited Santa Clause. Russell and Savannah did not want to get too close to Santa, but TJ and Benson loved him.

Russell's not ready yet to sit on Santa's knee

TJ would have stayed there all night

Mr. and Mrs. Clause

Even the big kids got a package from Santa

The cousins loved helping each other unwrap the gifts

The boys under the tree

A little glimpse of the evening

Pre-Chritmas Activities

Trevor and I went out to Mortons for dinner on our 10 year anniversary. I surprised Trevor by picking him up in the same outfit I wore to our honeymoon. It doesn't quite fit the same but I still got into it:) The restaurant printed up a special menu with our anniversary celebrations at the top. The waiter took our picture and then gave it to us in a card signed by the employees. We had a wonderful evening together. It even snowed to remind us of that wild snow adventure 10 years ago from Portland to Olympia.

We had an early Christmas at home with the boys before we drove up to Olympia. We wanted them to be able to open their presents from Papa Tom and Grandma Andrea. Both boys just loved this laughing Earnie. Russell is always funny to watch with toys that move. Thanks Grandma Andrea and Papa Tom.

Winter Wonder Washington

We had a surprise snow storm in December. Trevor worked from home a few days before his official Christmas time off. We all took advantage of the white stuff (little did we know it would almost keep us from getting to Olympia for Christmas). We had so much snow over the weekend that both our ward party and church service were canceled. It's the most snow we've seen in our five years in Vancouver.

Carol caught these pictures of the boys and I enjoying the sledding

Hanging out with the neighborhood moms

Trevor and I played in the snow at 10:30 one night after the boys went to sleep

Mr. Skateboarder always has to try sliding on his two feet

Trevor and the boys during Trevor's "lunch break"

The entire neighborhood gravitates to our driveway. It's the steepest one around.

Love all that snow

Trying to get to Olympia with chains on the tires

More snow fun

Chubby little Snowman

Miss Emy and all her little preschoolers under the little Christmas tree.

Mom and TJ with their Christmas Cookies

Reading Time at Preschool

Carol Helping out the Kids for our Preschool Christmas Party

This December's preschool poem was A Chubby Little Snowman. TJ probably recited it 30 time in Olympia over the Holidays. We just thought it was so cute. One night he decided to put a little twist on his reciting. Instead of saying had a carrot nose, TJ decided the snowman had a booger nose. He was too proud of himself for being so funny. Uh-oh, what am I going to be dealing with a few years from now.

The other video is of TJ and Afton dancing. This wasn't during preschool, but they had danced the previous day in preschool during Jingle Bell Rock. I wanted it on video so I had them dance again for me.