Thursday, December 31, 2015

Arizona- Dec 2015

We were able to fly to Arizona on the 27th of December to spend time with the Joneses.

The first couple of days, the Nelsons were still there, so we tried to have as much fun as possible that Monday. We took family pictures in the morning, and that afternoon we went to a butterfly garden. It was so cool to have so many different butterflies flying all around you. It was very thrilling when one would land on you. They liked Mackayla's yellow jacket.


Holding still, waiting for a butterfly


The original bunch that evening.
Early the next morning before the Nelsons left, we tried to get a picture of all the kids in their matching pajamas.

The kids had so much fun the rest of the week playing under and in the tangerine tree.
We always love getting to spend time with Grandma Jones. Here they are opening their gifts from her.

Another shot in the tangerine tree
A picture with Grandpa and Grandma Richins after visiting with them.

New Years Eve. Playing a game of Dominoes.
The boys had a good game going too
The Belle of the Ball
We counted down with the East coast so that the kids could actually go to bed after 10pm.
Happy New Year
Having fun at the shooting arcade inside Bass Pro Shops.
Singing Happy Birthday to Mackayla a couple days early before we left on the 2nd.


Here are a few of the family pictures that we had taken.



Sunday, December 27, 2015

Christmas 2015

Another wonderful Christmas! We started the Christmas Eve festivities early this year, and met at Burger King in the afternoon. We had a big group with the Hatfields, Jones, Holts, Trees, and Andersons (we even had some of Tim's family join us). We lingered for a long time before heading home to more fun. 

This was a first, but we started the program off with some Christmas Simon says. 
Chad's and Amy's family did a very impressive rendition of The 12 days of Christmas.
Our family sang Hark the Herald along with Bad Religion.

Ready to open their Christmas Eve sacks

Christmas Family!
We got our pajamas to match the Nelsons but ended up coincidentally matching these Hatfield Cousins too. 
Perfect! 
Mackayla had been planning for months to make an Elsa apron for Caitlin. She finally got it made a few days before Christmas, and couldn't wait to give it to her. On Christmas Eve, while no one else was looking, Eden handed Caitlin that present to open.  Mackayla and I were quite shocked when Caitlin came around the corner wearing the apron that night. :) She loves it though.
Everyone that was wearing a Santa shirt (and Jacob).
My Santa
Picture with Grandma and Grandpa
Mrs Christmas herself

Jacob and Clayton
They're all getting ready to sleep in the same room. Caitlin is hiding behind Mackayla since she preferred not to be pictured.
He came!!!!
Waiting to head in and see what Santa left. We waited as long as we could, but finally had to wake Caitlin up about 6:30.
A sewing machine for Mackayla
Doc McStuffins stuff for Caitlin

Jacob loved his apple
The boys both got new Nerf guns like they had asked for.

Before we started opening.

The doctor is in. 


New costume
I got some new earrings from the kids












Daddy got a new apron too
Caitlin gave me some rollos and a game
New scooters for these two
Fancy new game from his fancy wife
A BB gun. I don't know who was more excited Bradley or Jared. 
Time to play!


Shooting pop cans that afternoon.



I got to sit at the kid table for Christmas dinner since no one else wanted to. 

This was our first white Christmas since we've been married. 
Some railroad gaming on Christmas night. 
 Playing Pie Face
On the 26th, the Chad's came back up and we had a fun day playing. We spent some time playing with new toys at the church gym. Bradley was the ball hopping champion (he won by a lot every time)!