Weekend Wrap-Up, Christmas Edition

Oh, I have SO many fun stories and pictures to share with you.  It was just such a lovely, wonderful, fun, happy Christmas.  We had the joy of spending the last three days celebrating and are thankful for all the time we got to spend with family!  Here's a quick recap with TONS of pictures.


Kase spent some time with my dad and mom last week so I could finish up some last minute shopping.  My dad made him this awesome bazooka while Kase was over there!

And, since the big kids were still in school, Kase and I joined a friend, went to SkyZone and we even saw Santa there!

Kael had a fun winter assembly with a pretty cool guest speaker- Fred Jackson!

I got to go to Kylee's winter party at school.  I'm always thankful to get to see my kids in their classrooms doing their thing. 

Friday the kids didn't have school.  As if perfectly on cue, the snow fell in big, heavy flakes all morning long.  We had the most fun playing in it!

The kids and I also watched Polar Express and had hot cocoa and popcorn while we waited for Kent to get home from work.  He had a morning meeting but came home early in the afternoon so we could do our own family Christmas celebration. 

The kids were so very excited to give gifts to us and to each other.  It was such a fun day.  They were all so sweet and thankful for all of their presents.

We had breakfast for dinner, then headed off to candlelight church service.

When we got home, we had our traditional chocolate fondue.  A favorite every year.

Christmas Eve we spent with my family.  These three musketeers had the most fun together all day long.  I so wish I had gotten better pictures of the foam sword and laser guns they all got and carried around all day.  They were the cutest. 

We played some fun gift exchange games!

The kids were thrilled with all their gifts.

So was Kent. And me too!

We three took a walk out back and saw lots of deer.  

While the boys played pirate ships. It was a great day.

When we got home, Kase fell asleep early, but Kael and Kylee made sure to set out cookies for Santa!

Christmas morning, Kael and Kase woke up at 4:40.  They patiently waited until 5:30, which was when I told them they could wake Kylee.

 Kael led the way to the Santa presents.  Kylee was next, but too quick for me to capture on camera.

Kase wasn't far behind!

It was a great morning.

After the kids had played with some of their new things for awhile. we loaded up and headed to Collins to spend the rest of the day with the Pattersons! The kids were over the moon excited to meet King, Kevin and Kaity's new puppy! Kylee followed him around allll day and was so snuggly with him.  It was adorable.

Brothers!

Present time!

xBox!!!

Between rounds of gifts, we played some Minute to Win It games and they were hilarious! So much fun.  Girls win, of course!

Kylee loves her annual Christmas bear.

I'm so thankful that Kyle liked his portable pizza pouch that we gifted him (with a gift card inside...) All of our white elephant gifts were strong this year!

Storm troopers don't have to wear shirts, right?

 The brothers Patterson worked tirelessly on this Kylo Ren Lego for Kase.

Success!

We love Aunt Kaity!

My heart is so full and happy.  We are lucky and oh-so-thankful for all the family who made our Christmas extra special this year.  It's been a great few days and I'm looking forward to spending some time relaxing with the kids this week!