The end of the festivities

We spent the rest of the holidays, hanging out with each other, playing games, sledding, riding the snowmobile, building icicle cities, shooting the guns (Nick for the first time), and celebrating birthdays.   Within five days we have three birthdays (Erik, Hans, Kjersti) New Years Eve,  and New Years Day, so it gets pretty exciting and kind of makes you never want to see food again.   (At least until the next day).  Besides, the fact that everyone spent at least of couple of days not feeling their best, we had a great Christmas season.  Thanks for some of these pictures Jocelyn!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

We headed to Newton for Christmas this year.  It started snowing around dinner time on Christmas Eve and didn't stop for two and a half days.  It was so good to spend time with Erik's family.   It was the first time we had everyone together for a long time.  Christmas Eve started out with a wonderful meal and a great (and hilarious) reenactment of the Nativity story.  All of the kids participated (except Ben, surprise surprise).  We stayed up way to late, I am sure Santa was getting worried about the children getting to sleep on time.

Nick woke up first on Christmas Day and had a very hard time waiting for Ben.  Finally, we got to see what Santa brought!!!   He surprised us with a Wii and lego sets and pj's for the boys.   Zach also got a fun toy to play with.   Our stockings were stuffed to overflowing.   We are very happy with what he gave us.  (Nick was a little surprised not to receive coal this year, I think he was a bit worried :)   We spent the rest of the day eating, opening presents, playing with said presents, eating again, opening more presents and playing some more.   (Zach spent the rest of the day doing whatever Uncle Billly was doing).  What a great Christmas. 

We had a wonderful Holiday Season this year.   Because of the many different celebrations we have had in the past two weeks, I decided to publish a series of posts.   We started off the season on the 22nd with our annual cousins gingerbread house party at Aunt Amy's house.   Everyone brings some candy or frosting and the gingerbread houses are made with graham crackers glued together with a hot glue gun.   My boys love this tradition and it is always exciting to see what they create.   Such different personalities in this group!   Thanks, Amy.

We then had our "Weeks" family christmas party on the 23rd.   This year we are going to be with Erik's family for Christmas.  I forgot my camera, so no pictures of the family party.  We had a great "dinner" which is mostly appetizers and it was delicious, of course we all ate too much.   The cousins exchanged gifts and Grandma and Grandpa gave them all fun sweatshirts.   Thanks for a great party everyone and for the fun gifts.

Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Two Weeks in a Row!!!

I have to say, I LOVE our new family tradition.    The boys have done the dishes for two Sundays in a row!  Thanks guys!

Ok, I can't help it.  I have just decided that I have the cutest baby ever, clogged tear duct gunk, messy face and all.  (I have to add a disclaimer.   The tub pictured above was scrubbed clean the day before this picture was taken, yes it needs some caulk, paint, completely new tub, whatever.)   And, maybe you can't tell he is sporting a sleek new hairstyle, but Laurie gets credit.    Goodbye mullet.