A Merry Christmas 2012!

I love Christmas. Its true that the holidays can be hectic,commercial,expensive and exhausting! Do we get uptight,frustrated and exhausted? That is one scenario but there is another.............

Celebrating the birth of our Savior,Jesus Christ, families coming together,participating in family traditions,acts of service,time spent together,finding the perfect gift for a loved one and seeing their joy,children and adults that still BELIEVE and love!

 Steve opening gifts before the mayhem begins,bring it on!

 Brexton was very excited to open his iPod touch and he very excitedly informed me that we got him the right one!

 Cote's custom headphones.

 Princess Nixin and her new jacket.

 Cowboy cooler!

 Jenna and Trey moved to their new home two days before Christmas. Montana was having a hard time sleeping in her new room. Jenna said she slept great Christmas night with her new glowlight from Grandma Ina and Grandpa George!

 Yes my mom is holding her new Furby and I love it! Cote and Brexton in their new Volcom hoodies,a tradition.

 New bike for Allison,pink cowgirl boots for Presley,new wagon for Harlee and Montana,lucky horseshoes from Jenna.

Cash so loves his puppy dog sleeping bag,Crew's new bow and arrow,Harlee's 1st Christmas,Miller's favorite dragon and Mallory.

Polar Express,Deer Farm and Gingerbread Houses

I love family traditions! I am so thankful for parents who loved family and started some wonderful traditions. I have to say that my Mom did things right. Her Gingerbread houses were made from scratch where mine have evolved into store bought kits! Still it is a family tradition enjoyed by myself and my siblings,my children and my siblings children,now my grandchildren and my brother Paul's grandchildren! As you can see this tradition is loved by all store bought kits or not,the candy is just as delicious! 

 Montana made a gingerbread cup :)) and sampled all the candy! Harlee will do the same next year.Brinton's family are pros and we were happy to welcome Brinton's FIANCE,Allison and her daughter Presley(check out Presley lovin the licorice) to the mayhem!

 The Gunnell boys,Crew,Cole and Cash,Brexton,and Nixin were all doing such an awesome job. Gracie and Presley were enjoying the candy and looking adorable.

 Martin had their house all planned out! Miller was right there helping,gotta love that face! As you can see our sweet Mallory has a mouthful of candy :))

On to the Polar Express. This is another family tradition that we don't always do every year and not always with everyone but has been a lot of fun. This year for the first time we went with my brother Paul and his family and I can honestly say a good time was had by all! This was the first year we did not have snow,I love the snow but I have to admit I enjoyed being a little warmer and not not worrying about the kids getting soaked!

 Matching PJ's is part of the tradition. Cote and Brexton rocked their long johns and the girls were super cute in their matching PJ's. Harlee was ringing the bell Santa gave her.

 Chris and Jeni,Montana and Ryann,Paul and Joanne,stalker Trey and Brinton and Allison. 

 Beautiful families!

 Now we have a mix of Deer farm pictures and Polar Express pics. I loved Montana's pink hat and pink jacket a gift from her other grandma. Ethan on the train. Nixin and Montana riding the deer.

 Coincidentally Nixin's best friend Bella was at Polar Express and the Deer farm. Ryann wasn't to sure about feeding the deer. Brexton looked super cool in his leathers feeding the deer and Montana was a crack up. If the deer tried to eat the food out of her cup she would push their head away and tell them NO! Then she would put some in her hand and feed them!

 Harlee enjoyed hangin with Papa and of course Ethan and Brexton would be on the tractor.

My fav Polar Express hat,Justin hang in with the boys,Papa and Cote and Steve and I with Brinton's and Allison's crew. As you can see a good time was had by all. We are so blessed!

Montana's 1st Gymnastics Class

Yesterday I went to Montana's first gymnastics class. I have a feeling it will be the first of many such classes! She had so much fun and is wiling to try it all as you can see by her photos. I have to add and it goes without saying that she is so stinking adorable while she is doing it!

Montana is a natural,she certainly takes after her mom,Jenna, when it comes to gymnastics and that is a good thing! Just to mention,I'm not sure who had more fun Jenna or Montana,hard to say!

Nixin's Christmas Dance Recital

Nixin had her Christmas dance recital Saturday. Her group danced to "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". As you can see she looked beautiful and she did such a good job dancing. She was the best one in her group for sure. She had a lot of support from her family who came to watch and cheer her on.

G-Mama and Great Grandma Ina (Papa Steve and Great Grandpa George were also there)

 Her buddy Presley was dancing in her seat along with Nixin on stage.

 A proud Daddy and Allison!

Nixin has attended many T-ball,baseball,soccer and football games,how nice that her bros could be there to support her. 

Gingerbread Houses With Boulder Mtn Ward Young Women

The young women in our ward made gingerbread houses for Mutual last week. We will be delivering them to families in our ward this week for Mutual. It was so much fun and everyone did an awesome job. I loved that each house was so creative and so different. I certainly got some great ideas!