Christmas 2012

We were so lucky to go to Lufkin this year and spend Christmas with my family. It was great to travel, but even greater that we didn't have to go far! We left Thursday night after Tyler got home from work, and came home the next Thursday. Here are some highlights and pictures from our trip.

Thursday: arrived in Lufkin around 10 pm. Millie woke up and entertained everyone with her laughing and playing and walking. 

Her new smile she does when the camera flashes

Friday: The day was spent at the recording studio off and on. We all went there in shifts to record a CD for my parents! It has some of our family favorites on it. It was so fun to do, and hopefully it's fun for them to have. When we weren't recording, we were playing and enjoying being together. And constantly cooking and eating, of course!

Playing with Grandma

Tackling Grandpa

Saturday: A very busy day. We all caravanned down to Houston and went to the temple together (Tim's first time!) as a family. Thank goodness for Lauren and Laura and Sarah watching all the kids so we could be there together! It was so great. Everyone at the temple thought we were there for a wedding because we were all wearing matching dresses. Nope, no wedding! Just a mom who likes her kids to match. We then had some family pictures taken (quite a production with 25 people) and then drove back up to Lufkin in time for dinner. And more singing, preparing for Sunday.

These 3 babies were highchair buddies the whole time!

Sunday: We sang in church as a family (which was hilarious, because we were all matching again. Basically we are a choir). Eva's sparkly dress left glitter everywhere she went, and the kids had a blast all being in nursery/primary together. We went to Dad's healthcare facility and did a little Christmas program for the residents. That was hilarious- a poorly-tuned and old piano plus an unprepared family plus restless kids made for a very flawed program- but it was fun and funny. Hopefully someone else took pictures that day, because I apparently didn't!

Monday: Everyone had random errands to run, baking and cooking to do, pajamas to sew, and sunshine to soak in. We had a yummy dinner and did our Christmas program before opening our pajamas. Mom sewed 25 pairs of pajama pants. Can we say Superwoman?? She is. We also got matching t-shirts for the occasion, designed by me. We took pictures in our PJs and then the kids raced up to bed when they heard "Santa's sleigh bells" outside. The adults enjoyed pretzel salad and setting up gifts and watching "The Nativity Story."

The mastermind of all our Christmas fun!

Andrew jumped in the pool... crazy

Lots of Settlers 

Christmas Eve dinner place cards

Brynlee wrapped her doll up for Eva to open. Such sweet cousins!

All the cups!

Webbs

Bakers

Westons

us!

Andersens

This was the best picture of my attempts to get the three babies together. They're such movers!

Tuesday: Christmas! You can imagine how long it took everyone to open presents- that ate up our morning. Everyone enjoyed playing with new toys and eating and lounging in our pajamas. Tyler and Millie and I got to talk to Garrett and Mitchell! That was definitely a highlight. It was so great to hear their voices- we can't wait to see them in 8 months! That night Mom and Dad stayed home with the grandkids so the siblings could go see Les Miserables. I thought it was great! Tyler walked out and said, "Wow. That was a lot of singing." I love that the singing was recorded live with the acting- it was so raw and emotional and awesome. Millie came down with a fever that day too, and we had a bit of a rough night with her.

Wednesday: I'd call it a sick day. Millie was still feverish and just not herself! It was terrible- I am so grateful she is typically a very healthy baby. We stayed home while everyone who wasn't sick went bowling and to a museum, but it was great to relax. That night we all watched The Bourne Legacy, which I thought was good.

We came home Thursday morning, with Tim in the car with us. We had way too much stuff to bring back with us, and poor Tim carried his duffel bag on his lap the whole way home. Again- thank goodness we only live 2 hours away!

It was a great trip. It's just priceless to have everyone together! That certainly doesn't happen very often, so we were grateful it did this year. Next time it does happen, I will be more consistent about taking pictures!