
He came!

I never think I buy too many presents, but multiplied by 8 people– it’s a pile.

and a mess!
Lucy finds a safe spot to survey the action.
Mary and her teddy.

pop-up Star Wars– a must-have for all Jedis

Stefan spray-painted rocks and gave everyone gold nuggets.
The note read: “Ben’s mission and college fund.”

Xander made loaded dice for his brothers– 7s every time!

Stefan spray-painted rocks and gave everyone gold nuggets.
The note read: “Ben’s mission and college fund.”

Xander made loaded dice for his brothers– 7s every time!

Ben gave boxes of sugared cereal– a gift that thrilled everyone but Gabriel who won’t eat apples in any form…

but Mary is grateful.


but Mary is grateful.

Clearly the favorite child– Xander scored an ipod. He immediate dubbed it “my precious.”

Excitement over socks and underwear.

Mary asked for a sister for her dolly.
She mothered her babies with such heartbreaking sweetness that I could hardly speak.

Excitement over socks and underwear.

Mary asked for a sister for her dolly.
She mothered her babies with such heartbreaking sweetness that I could hardly speak.

just happy.
Wii Music was Hansie’s big gift– Stefan renamed it “Chamber Music Hero” and they spent half the day rocking out in the basement.
Big brothers are very useful when you have a new Lego set.
Ben was thrilled with his new sweatshirt–
he’d visited it several times in my closet just to “make sure” it fit.
My fab gift was immmediately overshadowed by another sweatshirt from a much younger and cuter girl.
But he needed both to shovel out his car.

Xander doesn’t like shoveling.

Inside, Gabe is telling grandma, “We didn’t eat breakfast; just candy.”


But we did have a turkey dinner with chocolate marzipan cheesecake for dessert.

Which left Mary so hyper that we assigned her 50 laps and a thousand jumping jacks before bedtime.
Happy play days!
Ken
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for sharing your Christmas Day with beautiful photos of your wonderful family. Your photo captions are great too.
With love and admiration,
Mom and Dad
duchess
Such a fun day. I love the jars of Nutella – my son would eat a whole jar in one sitting (if I’d let him do that, of course).
Wonderful pictures – I love the one of the stockings.
Jan Russell
Oh do I love these pictures, that last one is priceless! Such a beautiful, fun family!
GeorgiaBecksteads
What a fabulous day. Merry Christmas.
katherine
What a FUN Christmas!!!!!!!
www.lifetrekkingcoach.com
What a beautiful & zoom’n day!
love,
Cuz’n A.
Rockelle
WOW WOW WOW….
I found your blog on one of my cousins…I had to write and tell you just how talented I think you are…an amazing photographer…and a great writer. I have just spent all night reading your blog…Neglecting my 4 kids…just to enjoy yours…
Thankyou.
I will be adding you to my favs!
Rockelle Dixon
J
I want to be a child in your home! Looks like everyone enjoyed the holiday. Love the pics.
Azúcar
That picture of Mary with her two dollys just KILLS me.
Seagulljaap
First of all chocolate marzipan cheesecake= manna.
Second of all, I see we have another possible cougar on our hands. It will be wonderful to have another person from the ward down there when the time comes.