Christmas Fun!

So, the fun began on Christmas Eve at Cole's Parents house for a party.

Then, when we got home,

we have a tradition of opening one gift on Christmas Eve...

...and it's their Christmas Jammies!

Christmas morning, Tay got a "My Generation Doll"...

...Karly got a horse, Alexa got a remote control puppy...

I got new phones, haleluja!!! The old ones kept dying mid-conversation, 'cuz the batteries wouldn't hold a charge.

Cole got a Hot Choc. maker that we've searched for for a couple of years. I finally found one, and actually surprised him with it...he usually guesses everything we give him.

Then we opened more...

and more...

and more...

presents! Don't hate me 'cuz I'm beautiful!

Then Saturday, we had the Birch Family party at Marni's house. These are some gold shoes that Andra found and gave Marni as the remeniscent "Grandma Birch Gift"! My Grandma Birch used to give really funky, yard-sale gifts. It was always fun to see who got the craziest gift! Anyway, this is Marni modeling the shoes, which made it even funnier!

So, we had wonderful Christmas, and hope you did, too!

Catchin' Up

So, I'm doing some catch up: My Mom and Dad moved into my Grandma and Grandpa's house this summer, after my Grandpa passed away in April (my Grandma passed away in March '04). So my mom decided to invite all of their posterity (my Grandparents') to Thanksgiving dinner at her house this year. So we had 64 people (only about 70%) in her little house! But it was really fun to see everyone and talk about our memories of playing at Grandma's, etc. And of course, dinner was awesome!

The little girls played school on the big tables while dinner was cooking.

Alexa, Karly

Taylee, Demi, Zoe, Ali

Cole and Mark were the "volunteer" potatoe peelers! Jenika and Jordan watching TV and waiting patiently for the food!

My Uncle John carving the ham.

Dad and Mark carving the birds!

Too many women in that little kitchen!

Cute Maddy holding cute Makayla!

My cousin Brandon and his yummy little boy, Cannon.

People...

...people...

...and more people!

The kids table (that's Alexa with her mouth full)

Thanks, Mom & Dad!