Last year at our Phipps family reunion, we didn't have snow. We were grateful to break out the sleds this year and enjoy LOTS of snow.
On Christmas Eve morning, we did the spiritual part of Christmas: the nativity, Luke 2, and Christmas Primary songs.
Sam and Hazel were Joseph and Mary.
Ellie was a sheep and she actually stopped and smiled at me.
Here's Mary helping Eloise to keep her costume on.
Papa Kevin read Luke 2 while the cousins acted out the parts and listened to the familiar story...
I love this part of Christmas.
That evening we had chimichangas and the one who found a cheese stick inside of theirs, got to open the first present that evening. James won (he promised everyone he would eat the TWO chimichangas that he quickly claimed).
Then we played Christmas songs on the bells.
While the cousins were opening their Christmas jammies, we went downstairs to start a new Christmas Even tradition! The girls had done extra chores and saved their money to buy one another a special Christmas present. We decided to open those gifts on Christmas Eve so that they would get extra attention. Above is a book that Hazel made for me.
I love this picture. Hazel is so excited for Charlotte to open this Barbie movie she bought her.
Both girls bought Skittles for their dad.
I think this tradition is a keeper.
And then the kids went to bed...and Santa's work began.
Ready for Christmas morning! Each family picked a part of the living room to set up their gifts. I love that we get to do it all together this year. One of my favorite Christmas memories is opening my presents out of a paper bag with my name on it with all of my cousins.
This is a terrible picture because I had the flash on, but Christmas Eve night was a rough one for Eloise. Around 4am, David finally crawled into the pack-n-play with her and fell asleep. This is how I found them together at 6am when the kids were bursting at the seems with excitement.
We always have the kids line up at the bottom of the stairs, youngest to oldest.
Santa got her the Barbie hair-styling head. He never did find that hamster in a robe though...
Charlotte got the Disney make-up.
Edison was enjoying one of the oranges at the bottom of the stockings. (And Eloise was sleeping in).
Ryan, Collin's girlfriend, taught Hazel how to do a fish braid.
After all the presents were opened, the kids found a note from Santa that told them to go look in Gram and Papa Kevin's library for one last surprise. They were so excited! Hazel said, "Oh my WOW!" We reminded them of how Mom and Dad had asked Santa for something that the girls could jump on INSIDE the house this winter. And boy did he deliver.
And Edison is the cutest baby ever.
Edison and Eli hanging out in the girls' new camping chairs.
On the 26th, James' birthday, we all went out in the snow to go shooting. Collin brought Ryan outside and then took her off on their own little hike where he proposed to her!
And she said yes!
On the 27th, I got to go snowboarding for the first time in seven years. David taught me when we were engaged and first married, but then we had four kids in five years and were plenty busy. It felt so good to go again!
That afternoon we brought the kids back with us to go skiing on the bunny hill. They did such a good job! It was so cute to see little Lottie flying down the hill on her little skis. When she gets nervous, she giggles and it kills me.
David worked with Hazel the entire time and taught her how to weave in and out of the little cones on the hill. Since we both only snowboard, we kept listening to the other parents' advice to their kids on skis so we could help our girls learn. French fries! Pizza slice! Pat your knees!
Hazel with Sambo.
On New Year's Eve we got to go to a spa where the kids could swim and sit in the hot tub. This picture is of the brothers before they ran into the snow and did snow angels. (Proud to say that I did it as well---ouch).
And fireworks on New Year's Eve!
Happy 2013! David crashed around 9pm and I made it until 11.
Before we headed home, I took engagement pictures of Collin and Ryan. They were fun to photograph.
They'll tie the knot in Georgia in April!
Hazel took this picture of Edison and I think she did a pretty good job!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and although a part of me dreads the end of such a grand vacation, I look forward to starting a great new year with our little family! I'm so grateful for the time we had to reflect on our Savior and all of the blessings we have in our lives.
