Palmer Christmas Party!

After the adventures in the snow, we headed up to Ogden for our annual Palmer Christmas Party. I have to admit I didn't want to go, it is far and we were all tired but once we got there I was so glad that we went. The Palmer's are my mom's side of the family and I don't get to see them very often any more. It was awesome to see my aunts, uncles and of course all my cousins and their kids. It brought back memories of Christmas parties when I was a little girl and how much I looked forward to them every year. It was definitely worth the drive up to Ogden for. As always there were great activities for the kids, pinatas, parachute games and don't ask but there was a talent show and there was singing? Let's just say my dad, Dean and brother-in-law Steve better keep their day jobs.

SNOW anyone?

This is Dean jumping down the mountain, forget walking. You've still got it babe!!!

Real snow angels.

Treking the mountain to get to the top. It really wasn't the mountain but it seemed that way.

I promise it really was fun.

Jake and Keaton.

Addy and Karlie

Last Friday night my niece and nephew, Keaton and Karlie, slept over. We played and played, watched movies, had lots of treats and didn't get to bed until midnight. They all woke up early the next morning and we decided to take the bunch sledding on the golf course. The snow was great. There were parts that were up to my knees. They were all troopers and never complained until we got home. As long as I'm warm and having fun, I guess I do like the snow. HA! HA!

CHRISTMAS SUMMARY!!!

Kendyl and I with the jacket she gave me for Christmas. She had saved some of her babysitting money and bought all of us Christmas presents with her own money. She is so awesome!!!

This is our fourth child. This bear is bigger than Addy and Jake.

We spent Christmas Eve finishing our shopping, making cookies for Santa and playing in the snow. Our friends invited us over to watch my favorite movie of all time, Elf. I don't know how many times I have seen it but it still makes me giggle. After the movie we ran home to check the computer and see where Santa was. He was getting close so we changed in to our jammies and put some cookies and milk out for Santa and jumped in bed. The kids were so excited. I was surprised they fell asleep so quick. Dean and I finished up some things and finally settled in for a long winters nap when what did appear but Jake. He had a leg ache. AAGH!!! Jake slept with me and Dean slept in Jake's bed. Jake woke me up about 7:30 and I told him to give me a half an hour and then we would wake everyone else up. The next thing I knew Addy was running down the stairs, yelling about the huge bear that was under the tree. After that sleep was impossible. I sent Jake and Addy upstairs to wake up Dean and Kendyl and then the madness began. We always start with our stockings and then take turns opening presents from youngest to oldest. I love Christmas and seeing the looks on their faces when they open exactly what they wanted and how much they believe. It is contagious. We must have been really good this year because Santa spoiled us rotten. We got some great family games that we have been playing nonstop since. After presents Dean took his Christmas afternoon nap while the kids and I watched "Christmas Story." My sister Brooke invited all of us over for turkey dinner and games. It was so yummy. As fun as all the games were sisters, my favorite part was getting stuck in Brooke and Steve's driveway in the mini-van. It took all of us pushing and shoveling to get us out. Thanks guys. I always feel sad after Christmas when all the presents have been opened and all the gifts handed out, and already miss the excitment in the air. I guess only 364 days until next Christmas.

Will It Ever STOP!!!

Here are just a few of the pictures lately. I feel like it hasn't stopped snowing. Does shoveling snow count as cardio? The kids are having a great time sledding, building forts and "snow boarding" down the driveway. Thank goodness for fireplaces and hot chocolate. I'm not sure we would make it without them.

More McHy!!!

The older girls making yummy chocolate treats!!!

Some of the men watching the BYU game!

The rest of the men.

All the little girl cousins!!

Jake and his cousins!!!

The McHy party was so big I needed two posts for it. I love my big, extended family. When we all get together there are 32 1/2 of us. It is crazy fun.

McHy Christmas Party!!

Isn't she so cute!!!

Saturday was the McHy Christmas Party. It was crazy. My dad and Terry made a yummy, yummy chicken noodle soup, complete with homemade noodles. There was lots of treats and yummy salads. It was perfect. After dinner we then got down to business, that is present business. My dad and Terry gave all the boys these remote control cars. Jake is having so much fun with it. Right now he and Kendyl are building ramps for his car and having the time of their lives. All the little girls got a convertible car for Barbie. Kendyl got some really cute clothes and a shiny purse. I might have to borrow it. We were laughing, saying that it must be a car year and wondering what kind of car we were going to get. HA! HA! We didn't get a car but we got some pretty great things instead. My dad and Terry got us all propane burners and propane tanks for our food storage and a darling BELIEVE sign that my dad had made for each of us. We always pick names for gifts because there are so many of us so after our gift exchange, the guys stayed in the basement and watched the BYU game and the girls moved upstairs to make carmel/chocolate apples and dipped pretzels. YUMMY. The kids all played with their presents and didn't want to go home. Thanks for the best party ever.

Etta's birthday party!!!

Addy was invited to her friend Etta's birthday party on Saturday at Build-A-Bear, so we all ventured to the mall. WOW!!! It actually took us longer to find a parking spot than the entire party. Addy had so much fun and now wants her birthday party there next year. It was pretty awesome. If you have never been there it is really neat. I wish I would have thought of it. You pick out any empty stuffed animal that you want and then you get to pick a heart and kiss the heart before you put it in the bear and then you get to help the builder stuff your animal with fluff. We had never been to a birthday party there before and this time they had each child make a wish for the birthday girl and put it in a heart and then put it in her animal. Really cute idea. You then get to brush your animal and pick out clothes for it. Addy picked a bunny and named it Abby. It even has a beautiful silky pink dress and heels. She hasn't put it down since. She has slept with it twice and took it to church yesterday even though she had to leave it in the car. Thanks for the fun Etta!!!

JaKe'S cHriSTmaS PaRtY!!!

Yummy cookies. It is amazing how many sprinkles and how
much frosting third graders can pack on.

They played this hillarious game. Everyone brings a present and the teacher reads a story and every time she reads the words right or left, they have to pass it that way. When she is done with the story, the present you are holding is the one you get to keep. It got pretty crazy.

Today was Jake's school Christmas party. They played games, decorated cookies and watched a funny science Christmas movie. I love to be in the class with him. They all call me Jake's mom and he pretends to be all embarrassed but deep down I know that he loves me to be there. There was this little boy there in his class that was just crying and crying. He said that his mom promised to come this time and she didn't. It broke my heart. I am so glad that I went and took the time to be with him. Before I know it, he will be too old and not want me to come to his parties anymore. Kendyl also came and helped me out with these parties today. She is an awesome help and all the kids loved having her there. She had a short day today and yesterday they called a snow day for her. It has been awesome to have her home helping me.

Addy's Christmas Party!

Santa even paid a visit.

Addy with her cute craft project from school.

The funnest game ever, snowball racing.

Today was Addy's school Christmas Party. It was so much fun. They had tons of food, lots of games and even Santa paid a visit. It was so cute. All the kids were so excited and wanted to make sure and give him a hug. I know I complain a lot about the cold but I really do love this time of year. I love how excited kids get and how much they really do believe. It is contagious. It makes all the craziness of the season so worth it.