Pajama-jama Time

The traditional Christmas Eve pajamas! This year most of us got really cool onesies and boy did we feel super awesome! They were very warm and cozy.

 

The whole bunch.

For some reason, they made me feel like an Oompa Loompa.

The boys

The girls.

The kids.

Winter Wonderland

The Bear Lake Dacha was the perfect place to spend our Christmas Break. We couldn't get all the way up in our van, or even in my parents car with 4 wheel drive. Luckily my parents have an ATV at the house for just such occasions. Being in such a remote location wasn't as exciting for Jason who loves the business of civilization, but I loved it.  We were able to go sledding down the road because there were no other cars. We also saw a family of moose who often choose the backyard as a hangout. We went snow shoeing and watched Uncle Michael snowboard down the driveway. We had a great time!

 

From our spot on the hill, we could see the Bear Lake Monster swimming out in the open since there were no boats to hide from.

Bear Lake Fun

We had a ton of fun of all sorts with the Dexter's in Bear Lake. A lot of that fun was related to food, of course. Cause that's how we roll.

 

Taylor, Addie and Grandma decorating Grandpa's gingerbread cookies.

Jason and Dexter doing some decorating.

Paige and Andres working hard on that gingerbread cookie.

Grandpa hard at work in the kitchen in his super cool hat.

Chillin' with Uncle Michael.

Addie had a brilliant idea for entertainment one morning "I have a great idea, Grandpa, you should give me a mani-pedi!". He was only too happy to oblige.

And our wonderfully decorated gingerbread house.

Visiting Santa

We also had time this year to go and visit with Santa. The line was pretty long, but the kids did really well.  As a matter of fact, I seemed to have a harder time with the waiting than I did. It's always so funny to see how kids react in front of Santa. Both Addie and Andres were talking big about what they would say to Santa and what they would ask for. When the time comes, it's just like out of A Christmas Story where he agrees to wanting a football. When Santa asked Andres what he wanted, he looked around the room and said a robot (never heard anything before or since about a robot, but there was a cool one in Santa's Workshop). And Addie simply said "A Barbie". Too funny. But it was worth it to get a picture with all of them smiling.

 

And this is what they looked like on the way home. What a good big sister to let her brother rest his head on her shoulder.

Christmastime is Here

We love Christmastime around here.  Even though we were going to Bear Lake to spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Dexter, we wanted to have our own tree and get all spruced up. We listened to Christmas music and Jason even made a cardboard frame for the TV that looked like a fireplace.

Love this face.

Addie helped everyone pick out clothes one Sunday so we would all coordinate.  She as so proud of herself.