Happy Holidays!

Time has flown by and somehow the holidays are already over.  We spent Thanksgiving in Las Vegas and had our Christmas party that same weekend while we were all together.  Unfortunately almost all of us got the stomach flu during the week.  Luckily it was a pretty quick recovery and my sisters and I were all able to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving together.  December went by in a flash and before I knew it we were celebrating Christmas Eve over at Laura's house (which I still call Grandpa's house when I'm not thinking).  It was fun to carry on some of the same traditions that we've always done, even though it sometimes seems to accentuate the fact that Grandpa is no longer with us.  On Christmas Day we opened presents, played with our new toys and games, then had the Stewart family gathering.  Everyone was able to come and it was so much fun to see all the cousins playing together.  The Saturday and Sunday after Christmas we went back to Laura's house to hang out with my Mom and Dad while they were here.  Last but not least, we celebrated New Year's at Laura's and once again there was lots of playing, eating, and chatting.  I'm feeling pretty bummed that the holidays are over, but fortunately I had Cameron 8 days late last year so I still have his Birthday to look forward to on the 7th.  After that, let the January blues begin...

Some of the kids hanging out at my Mom's house.  This is actually a picture from September, but since I didn't remember to take any pictures over Thanksgiving (I was too busy puking!), I'm putting this in to represent that time.  We also hung out with Lindsey and her family before we realized that we were exposing them to the plague.  Fortunately I don't think they ever came down with it.  (Right, Linz?)

 

 

 

My kids like this freezing cold weather A LOT more than I do.  I'm a Vegas girl at heart, and I have an especially hard time staying warm during the rare occasions that I'm not pregnant. 

I asked Carter what his favorite gift was and he gave the politically correct answer "Everything."  He has played the most with his Didj, Nerf guns, bakugans, and Hooked on Phonics workbook so far.

Lydia's favorite gift was her Barbie "Pambelina" (Thumbelina).  She also really loves her jewelry box and jewelry and her pink Leapster.

Meleah was the fastest unwrapper of everyone.  She just kept saying "I need nother one."  I don't think she even realized what she'd been given until all her presents were opened and she took the time to actually look at them.  She has really loved her Barbie with a bike, her ABC's baby, and her jewelry/jewelry box.

 

Cameron was really not all that excited about his gifts.  He would just tear off a piece of paper then continue to tear that piece into tiny little pieces, not even bothering to look at what he was unwrapping.  He has since fallen in love with his Mickey mouse music set (especially the drum and the maracas), and his ball popper.  My favorite gift he received was his new booster seat that he can't get out of and is super easy to clean. 

 

Cameron kept stealing the clementines Grandma and Grandpa Stewart gave to everyone and eating them before they were peeled.  I thought he would learn after the first bite, but he just kept going for them.

I didn't take very many pictures at all the gatherings held at Laura's but here's a picture of my Dad and Randall chillin' on the couch.

 

Looks like I got a little carried away when I was wrapping...