Christmas 2010

I'm finally getting my pictures on from Christmas. We went to Arizona this year to spend Christmas with Jared's family. It's hard to travel for Christmas, but we loved getting to spend it with family. We had a wonderful time.

Looking at the Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple grounds.

Dinner on Christmas Eve


The other end of the table


Getting ready to open pajamas on Christmas Eve

New Christmas Pajamas

The kids were great all year so we just knew Santa would come...

Ready to go see what Santa left on Christmas morning

Here are a bunch of Christmas morning:

Uncle Jason gave the boys light sabers that they LOVED

taking a little break for some breakfast

Bradley was SO excited for the gift he made for Jared. He colored this picture of a nightmare (dragon) for him. They share a love for the movie How To Train Your Dragon. Bradley just knew his Daddy would love this gift.

Mackayla made Jared and I this beautiful hand print at preschool. It was a WONDERFUL gift that we'll always keep!!

Having fun with the new play-dough stuff on Christmas afternoon.

The only thing Bradley specifically asked for this Christmas was this Dragon kite. He wanted it so bad. Since we were in Arizona, the weather was perfect to try in out on Christmas day.

Trying out her new hula hoop

We had Christmas dinner at Grandma's house. She always has a gift under the tree for every family member. We are always so grateful to be able to spend time with her on our trips to Arizona.

Mackayla is wearing her new "diamond" necklace from Nini and Papa.

Handsome little Bradley. (Jacob fell asleep on the way home from church so he didn't get a picture)

Sitting in the back, feeding the dogs tangerines.

Mackayla worked hard building this nest out of sticks

Jacob playing the piano with Nini

Jared with his mom and grandmother

Spraying whipped cream into Bradley's mouth. Jared and Bradley both thoroughly enjoyed this activity.

Mackayla loves her little princess bed she gets to sleep in.

A few other fun things from the trip for memory's sake:

• we spent a day at the Arizona Science Center learning about weather, electicity, magnets, penny smashing, bodies, dry ice and magnesium fires, and lots more;
• we went to the movies with Nini Papa to see Tangled
• we played on the school playground almost every day
• we put the kids to bed and left them with Papa & Nini, and went out with Jason & Elena. We stayed out 'till the wee hours of the night (12:30 - I know, wild!)
• Papa and Nini made some really great gifts for Christmas (a camp chair for Jared, a marble track for the kids, a nativity set for the family, and blankets for each of the grandchildren)
• Jared destroyed everyone playing dominoes - we'll try to forget the score Papa

Overall we had a great Christmas!