Christmas 2008

We have had some great Christmas celebrations in the past two weeks. Our first get together was at my Aunt Diane and Uncle Dan's house so that we could spend time with the VanDeven/Talbot side of the family. It is always fun hanging out with my cousins. There was only mild chaos as there are now 6 kids under the age of 5!

The Sunday before Christmas Kaleb participated in the Sunday School Christmas Play. He was too stinking adorable. His famous lines were "Christmas" two times and he also had a part in the bells playing Twinkle Twinkle. He did so good. Is it cheezy that I actually cried watching him?!

Finally, we celebrated Christmas Eve at my parent's house with Lindsey, Derek and Grandma Rice. The kids had a few presents to open and got into the bath so they could get in their Christmas pajamas. After we left my parent's house we went down to Desmond's Landing to see the lights, which has now become a tradition for us.

The next morning Jason and I actually had to set the alarm for 6 am and get ready before we woke the kids up at 6:30. We're crazy. In a few years they will be up way before us and we'll wish they would sleep in! We opened all of the presents from Santa at home, including an air hockey table for Kaleb and a slide for Emerson already set up in the basement.

At 7:30 we arrived at Jason's parent's house for present opening. This way all of the cousins could be together. The kids all got dress up clothes and pajamas from Grandma. The older kids will also be taken out on Monday by Grandma and Grandpa for a full 24 hours of fun. They are all looking forward to it.

Brunch was at Grandma Rice's house, another tradition. There were no more presents to open, which disappointed Kaleb, but it was a nice relaxing morning. Dinner was spent back at Jason's parent's house and we spent the last few hours of our evening at the Erickson's house. This is a fun time to catch up with my friends that I don't get enough opportunity to see during the year.

It truly was a very Merry Christmas!