This is the fabulous Auntie Court, in her sleepers. She does hair, makes gingerbread houses, loves neices and nephews, and snuggles. She is about to graduate from BYU, and does a mean impression of a terrified child on the smallest rides at Knott's Berry Farm.
One of my favorite parts of the holiday was watching my kids reconnect with their cousins. Camille especially loved having Bella around because in TX there is nobody her age and she is often left out.
We played lots of Wii. Some of the adults stayed up very late trying to beat Super Mario Brothers, which I have not played in 20 years, just like riding a bike folks. (We never did beat it though.)
The little girls spent lots of time huddled around our little dvd player, watching an assortment of princess movies. Carter later took aim at it with a nerf bazooka and blew the cover off it. After which he did a fist pump and said, "Yes!" But don't worry, it still works.
The big cousins, playing soccer in the front yard on Christmas Eve. That was after they abandoned the plan to act out Luke 2. Emma and Kenzie, the directors, could not get the response they wanted out of the little ones and one by one they got fed up and quit. Poppa did a very nice reading anyway.
The babies: Sarah, who loves to smile for the camera.
Ellie (lizard-breath) Braun, I'm pretty sure Tams spent weeks coordinating her vacation wardrobe. She had a different adorable Christmas outfit for every day, I wish I got a picture of the red Santa-like dress with fur trim.
Allegra, who is the sweetest thing you ever saw and once fell asleep in the middle of the living room floor during lunch and a football game, with at least 20 people in the room making noise. Carrie, if you have a secret for getting babies like this let me know and I'll have another one!
And some more Wii. Carter got up at about 5 am everyday to play. He also woke up Brett to play, I think that was a big hit.
The mountain of presents, believe me the picture doesn't do it justice. It took up half the room, I guess that is what happens when you have five different families under one roof for Christmas. Malia on the right is one sassy girl. Sunday morning she was about to waltz out the door to church in tights and I asked, "Malia, where are your shoes?" The reply, "Um, I'm not weh-wing shoes today." I looked at Michelle and she shrugged, so off we went. I think I have a thing or two to learn from Michelle.
The Christmas morning chaos, and I mean complete chaos, was impressive! Stockings all over the place, kids and wrapping paper everywhere, I can't believe we didn't loose anyone. Nana outdid herself as usual and we all had lots of fun watching the kids get excited about their gifts.
Other highlights included trying to get the biggest family picture ever, and going to Knott's Berry Farm, which I have no pictures of because I was too busy enjoying being at an amusement park while NOT pregnant or nursing. It was so fun. We had such a fun Christmas, and especially being with all 8 of Justin's siblings! Just wait until I get those family pictures back, you've never seen such a ginormous photoshoot!
4 comments:
So... it looks like you guys had so much tons and tons of FUN! I'm jealous. We had a quiet Christmas which I really enjoyed, but am still envious of all the cousins and siblings together.
Happy New Year!!
PS... the babies are so cute. And mine don't do so hot on the trip to Canada, either... Neither do I, come to think of it.
Sounds like so much fun Katie. I am so glad you had a great Christmas. Now next Christmas needs to be in Colorado!
You're going to pay for posting that picture of me in my sleepers... I'm going to wait until I come up with something REAL good though.
I have very fond memories of playing Super Mario Brothers at your house growing up. Ah, those were the days.
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