Christmas Week

 Growing up my mom always made lots of different Christmas cookies and sometime in high school it became my job to make the sugar cookies.  Then as everyone got older I kept with the tradition and made them every year.  The last 2 years I slacked off and didn't make them when we came home from Washington to visit, SO needless to say I had several people request the cookies this year.  I only made a double batch, but that still turns out to be more than enough cookies.  I let Isaac help me roll and cut them out.  He loved it - hard for me to watch how slow he was, but it was fun having a new helper this year.  Of course he was able to 'sample' the broken ones.

 The next day I decorated all of them.  Sarah and Isaac are enjoying a cookie in the background.  They turned out delicious as usual and surprisingly lasted to Christmas.

 On Christmas Eve, my family always got dressed up and went to church, came home to dinner and opened a present before going to bed.  Since Gary and I got married we have combined some traditions and spend Christmas Eve at his parents with all his family.  I made sure to get Sarah all dressed up though.  I tried a fun new hairstyle on her and glad I took pictures of her BEFORE the end of the night.  Isaac was at Uncle Steve and Aunt Annie's house playing with all his cousins so that is why I don't have any pics of him.

 They always dress the kids up and read the Birth of Christ.  I think some of the older kids are learning how to enjoy getting dressed up in the costumes.  Sarah absolutely refused to put on an angel costume but Isaac didn't mind being a shepherd.  He doesn't have a cane because it was being turned into a weapon!

 Here is a picture back at my parents house AFTER Santa had come.

The next morning we get all dressed up in our Christmas clothes and head down to see if Santa had arrived.  The youngest gets to go first.

Running to see what is under the tree.

 Isaac left Santa some cookies and he is reading Santa's thank you note to him.  He was so EXCITED.

 My cute kids in front of the tree.                                                    Choosing their first present to open.

 Isaac discovered that Santa had brought new stockings and filled them full.

 Here is Isaac's big present from Santa -a Mega T-Rex.



     Here is Sarah's big present - a Rapunzel doll and dress up.

They both enjoyed opening presents and had a really hard time when it was someone else's turn to open a gift.  I love seeing how excited kids get at Christmastime.

 Sarah in her new dress with her doll that she had to carry everywhere Christmas day. And of course she had to wear the crown since she is daddy's princess!

That evening my family all got together at my parents to have Christmas dinner and open even more presents.  Here is a picture of all the grandkids (for now)!

Here is Uncle Ryan with Sarah and of course Kingston.