Christmas with the Hunts

Christmas Eve we told the kids that they weren't supposed to come out of their room until 7:00 am.  They always try to sneak out early and they end up waking me up in the process.  This year I didn't want them waking up Laina too early because then she would be a grumpy mess by lunch.  I thought I had finally won when I didn't hear a peep when I walked down the hallway at 6:55.  Too my surprise I heard giggling and laughter in the kitchen as I got to the door.  Sitting in the dining room were my four monkeys happily eating cereal and rummaging through their stockings.

They had taken the screen out of the bedroom window where they had all been sleeping and climbed out.  My sister saw them from the kitchen window where she was working on her dough for sweet rolls.  What a bunch of stinkers!  I had to laugh at it of course, the persistent little imps, but at least Laina got a full night of sleep.

The morning was spent opening presents.  The kids were all so happy to get what they had asked for.  Michela got clothes and shoes, Hunter opened Legos and robots, Chase found Legos and a ripstik, Laina got Barbies and Princess Legos, and Aria opened Barbies and a scooter.

 

Everyone was so helpful with ideas for Christmas this year, the only one who threw me for a loop was Aria.  I thought I had her all figured out until she came home one day from school the last week before Christmas.  The first graders had a Polar Express Day and Santa Claus came to visit.  Aria came home so excited and told me that the REAL Santa had come to their school.  I asked her what she had asked him for and I expected to hear one of the things she had told me, but I was so surprised to hear, "Elf on the Shelf" come out of her mouth.  Of course I was already done with shopping, but a request to the Real Santa couldn't be ignored.  There was a special present under the tree with a tag that said,"To the Girl who Believes".

The look on her face when she opened that present was the best moment of the morning.
Steve, Shannon, Jaxon, and Jordon all came over a little bit later to open presents.  Jaxon was tearing through them and Jordon was more interested in getting into everything but his presents.

After that we started in on our Christmas Brunch.  Tiff's sweet rolls, fresh fruit, frittata, and tons of bacon.

Tiff had to make extra bacon because Shannon's pregnancy cravings for bacon are on overdrive lately.  It was all delicious!
This was probably the most beautiful weather we have ever experienced in California at Christmas.  We got to spend lots of time outside in the sunshine.  We got to go on lots of walks, play at the park, and even had a family kickball game.  I've never seen anyone kick the ball as far as my brother Kurt and Grandma even played.  I had to crack up when Chase got up to kick his first ball and I caught it.  He looked at me with utter surprise and yelled, "I didn't know you could catch the ball!"  Ha, Ha, …  we grownups showed those kids a thing or two that day.

We were excited to go to the BYU bowl game in San Francisco.  Mike, Mauri, Michela, Chase, Tiff, Craig, Steve, and Uncle Russ all were able to go.  We rode BART over and had a nice walk beside the bay over to AT&T park.

Sadly they lost, but we had a lot of fun together anyways.  We had a lot of laughs, got a surprise visit from our friend Tyler, and we will never forget the cry for "Hot Chocolate!"

Gingerbread Houses with the Lewis Family

Our wonderful neighbors, the Lewis Family, invited us over for a night of Gingerbread house decorating.  They provided everything, all we had to do was show up.  The kids all had a great time coming up with their own creations.  After decorating houses we had ice cream and hot fudge.  Yummy!  We had so much fun getting to know the Lewis Family better and using our creativity.

Tyler getting an icing beard from Ben.

Mommy helping Laina

Aria was so proud that she decorated her house all by herself.

Laina ate more candy then was on her house!

Michela's was Artistic Perfection

Hunter built a Gingerbread Nativity.

I think Chase's had the most candy on it.

Tyler, Laina, Aubrey, Chase, Ben, Aria, Hunter, Summer, Michela, and Sam

"Gingerbread Houses" aka A Good Excuse to Eat Candy

The kids begged to do graham cracker gingerbread houses while we were out in California.  My Mom and sister were kind enough to go and get us lots of supplies for the event.  A friend of mine told me about how she uses melted sugar to "glue" her crackers together.  Basically you just melt some sugar with some water and it makes liquid goo.  You have to be fast before it starts to harden and watch out that you don't burn yourself.  I glued the houses together and I thought they weren't going to stay together, but once the sugar hardened they were as sturdy as can be!
Everyone came up with such cute and unique designs.  I love seeing the kids' creative juices flowing.

 Aria did hers all by herself this year and I think she did a fantastic job.

I think Hunter used every kind of candy.

Chase's was probably the heaviest.

Michela's was a beautiful work of art.

Laina and I collaborated on our design.  

Perfect activity for a winter afternoon.

Lowry Christmas Party

The Lowry party was at our house this year.  It was fun to have everyone over and to get to see those family members we probably haven't seen since last party.  We played a few minute to win it games.  The cookie sliding down the face, seeing how many marshmallows could be thrown through a wreath in to a bucket, and Trevan rocked the nut stacking game.

Of course everyone always looks forward to the presents.  The kids had fun opening their presents and seeing what was inside.  

Laina loved her new little Snow Wipe (White).  

Bronson and Daynen looked happy with their gifts.  

After the kids opened presents the grownups started the gift exchange.  Wes looked intent as he looked for just the right one to open. 

 Everyone wanted to see what Lynette got.  

Peggy was delighted with what she found in her bag, but I'm sure it was stolen fairly quickly. 

Mike loves getting new tools.

Some of the fun couples at the party.

Dustin & Mindy

Mike & Mauri 

Shari & Trevor

And their cute baby Kalynn

Matt & Sara

The house was a mess when everyone left but we were happy to have everyone over.  There is nothing like being with family to get you in the Christmas spirit.