Christmas Eve & Day

Every year Jami makes sure that we have cookies for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. She takes after her big sister Tara by making sure we keep all of our holiday traditions going. Both of the girls really enjoy traditions. (Kind of like me.) Every year I get worried that Waffles, the dog, will get Santa's cookies, or that Waffles will scare Santa away so I have to make sure the bedroom door is shut tight when we go to bed on Christmas Eve.
I know that the date on the pictures says 12/25/08 but it really was Christmas Eve, I'm not sure but I think it was after midnight when we went to bed, either that or the date is off on the camera. Pretty sure it must have been after midnight, cause we were partying at the Combe Grandparents earlier in the evening and we always stay late. I don't have the pictures from that party yet, hopefully soon.You see Waffles is already eyeing the treats and we haven't even left him alone in the room yet.Cole is keeping Waffles under control as "Vanna" presents the treats to the camera. The kids and the tree just before bedtime. Christmas morning, waiting for the "OK" to investigate the goods!Yeah, my favorite part, the joyous faces of the kids as they run to their gifts. Who took this pictures anyway? They cut off half of Cole!First gifts opened. Perfect seat for opening the rest of the gifts.The opening of the gifts.........Just great!!! Somehow I seemed to have put the same picture on here twice. I have removed pictures in the past but that skill has somehow escaped me right now so sorry you have to see it twice. Yes, I did right click on the picture and there was not a delete option. I know I'm a spaz!ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to start rockin' with some new songs!
Jami and her new Ipod. You see, Jami had a hand-me-down Ipod from her sister Tara, and some where along our trip to St. George for the Thriller performance it disappeared! My sister searched the house that we stayed at high and low, cars were torn apart, bags were searched etc. The only conclusion that we could come up with was that the Ipod must have fallen out of the car somewhere as Jami was getting in or out. Who knows what happened? Well, Jami was very upset to say the least. Santa must be very trusting in Jami to give her a brand new Ipod to take care of. Because she asked, no begged, her mom for a new one and her mom told her, "Why? You had one and couldn't take care of it."

Short side note to this story, fast forward to New Years Eve, cousin Willow was sleeping over with Jami, Willow was using Jami's old sleeping bag, (Jami got a new one for Christmas), anyway.........I unzipped Willows sleeping bag for her to get into and I'll be damned, an Ipod was in it. I said, "J was this the sleeping bag you took to St George?'' "Yes," she replied. Who would've thought.Cole sporting his new Dallas Cowboy hat. Although, I heard Clint tell Cole tonight that they were going to have to change teams since Dallas has let them down.Clint filming the fun and Waffles trying to get some attention.Double picture once again. Help me Rhonda! Grandpa and Grandma Firth always come over Christmas to see what Santa brought the kids and to spoil them with more gifts. We love them very much and have been so blessed to have them as a part of our lives. I can't imagine our lives without them. That afternoon we went to Grandpa and Grandma Dearden's house for more gift exchanging and some yummy food.

McCall showing off her new digital camera, maybe she will help her mom with pictures for their blog.

Annie caught in the act of passing out gifts. Grandpa Dearden inspecting their new food disposal. And me on the side with my mouth open as usual.

Lance and Kelsey opening a gift with McCall give directionsThis is not the greatest picture of Tara or Cole, but I don't have any photos of Tara on this post so far and she was in attendance of all of the activities. So, sorry Tara you probably don't love me for posting this but I had to include you.

Tara, Cole and Jami surprized us with a portrait of themselves and Waffles. One Saturday Tara had said that she wanted to take the kids sledding and for them to bring a change of clothes because they might go to a movie after. She wanted them to bring the dog sledding because her friend was bringing his dogs also. Well, I almost didn't let Waffles go since he likes to explore the area and doesn't listen when told to come back. He just wants to come back in his own sweet time. Clint said, "Oh, just let him go." So I did and I'm glad I did. It is the cutest picture and I have wanted a picture of those kids together for so long. I couldn't bring myself to have Cole & Jami's picture taken without Tara. I don't know if Tara realized how much this picture would mean to me but it made my whole Holiday season! Thank you Tara, love you much!!!!Clint & Ashley listening to some tunes on her new Ipod.
I just stuck this picture on to show my children's talent with dominoes. Jami received some dominoes from Santa because I'm sure he has heard her say how much she likes to play Mexican Train with Granny, but my kids have found their hidden talent of setting up formations with the dominoes and then knocking them down. They've even figured out how to start the formation on the table and then have a domino fall to the floor to continue the chain reaction. A lot of our Christmas break has been spent with the neighbor kids making these formations. Amazing, the gifts that the kids spend the most time with.

We had a great Christmas and New Year's holiday. We have an amazing family and were lucky enough to spend time with all of them. I think good times were had by all and I hope that 2009 is just as nice.