Christmas 2009

We had a very peaceful, relaxing Christmas this year.

Christmas Eve

We went to Grandpa and Grandma McKinney's house and enjoyed a delicious prime rib dinner and then was treated to a reading of the nativity with live characters.

Roman Gladiator: Landon

Mary: Lydia

Joseph: Mason

Shepard: Jacob and Mason

Angel: Landon

Following the nativity we sang Christmas carols accompanied on the piano by each one of the kids.

Right after Lydia finished playing her song, Jacob jumped on the piano and wanted us to sing Jingle Bells along to his own composition. For a two year old, he played very softly and took it very seriously even if it was completely all the wrong notes and rhythm. It was really cute!

We ended the evening with a traditional Bingo game and the opening of new Pajama's.

Christmas Morning
The kids waited patiently for everyone to wake up. Lydia and Mason claim they hardly slept and had been up for hours. Lydia also claims at those wee hours in the night she saw Santa's sleigh out her bedroom window. At 7:45am the kids were more than anxious to run down and see what had been left by Good ol St. Nick!

All the excitement was a little much for Jacob.

He enjoyed the first 15 minutes of Christmas watching or hiding on the stairs.

Landon didn't have much on his list this year for Christmas. Santa surprised him with an unexpected electric scooter. He was thrilled!!

In Mason's words his dream came true Christmas morning when he opened this guitar. He has wanted one for many years. We are excited to see what sweet sounds he will soon make.

After Jacob warmed up to the Christmas spirit he was thrilled with his new

Thomas the train set.

Lydia has a new doll that looks just like her! The smile on her face was priceless all day. The dolls name is "Holly December Evans". Holly because she was a Christmas present and December because she was born in December and middle names are always after what month you are born in just like Lydia "Mae". Lydia and Jacob also got a scrapbook of pictures of them together. They are good little friends, and they both loved looking at their new book together. Christmas was as usual full of lots of yummy food.

Here we are at the end of the day sitting down to dinner.

Mason, Mom and Jacob enjoyed the day completely by staying in their pajama's all day. It's the one day of year, you can get away with it.

As the day came to an end and we checked on all our kids. It as sweet to see them all sound asleep after such a wonderful day!

Day after: December 26th

We were treated to wonderful weather during Christmas. It was perfect for a little trip to the school to try out the new scooter.

Mason wants a ride.....

Even works for doubles with the little ones, so much fun!!

Busy and festive December

Our December was filled with many festive activities. Made for an eventful and very fast month!!!

December 1st

Piano Recital

It was Landon and Mason's 14th recital and Lydia's first!

Each of them did a great job!

Landon played: Santa Claus Swing in to Town and Raiders

Mason played: Up on the Housetop and Minute

Lydia played: Jingle Bells and Claire De Lune

Landon and Mason always throw a twist into the traditional piano recital. For example last year Landon dressed up like Santa and made a grand appearance.

This year they "rocked around the Christmas tree" while their friend Madison played

"Rock in Around the Christmas Tree"

December 5th

Neighborhood Donuts with Santa

It's always fun to start out the month sharing a donut with Santa at our neighborhood community center. We were thrilled when Jacob eagerly jumped onto Santa's lap this year and gave him his wish list.

Later on December 5th

Gingerbread House at Top Foods Grocery Store
Lydia loved making a gingerbread house at our local grocery store. Mom was trilled because all the goodies for the house was provided and the mess stayed there:)

Evening of December 5th

Lydia in the Santa Parade
Lydia marched in the Auburn Santa parade this year with her Dance Theatre.

She was a cute little soldier!

She had fun being in the parade with her friend McKenzie.


December 16th
Grandpa's Retirement Dinner
It was really fun for our family (minus Jacob) to attend a retirement dinner for Grandpa. He has worked for Weyerhauser for 36 years and is retiring the beginning of January. Many kind words were spoke about him and yummy food was enjoyed by all.

Grandpa's and a few of his current co-workers.

December 19th

Mill Pond Ward Polar Express Christmas Party

Our ward had a magical Christmas party this year. The theme was Polar Express. The kids wore their PJ's just like the Polor Express and ate breakfast and even went on an imaginary train ride.

Landon below with Santa

Lydia

Jacob

Mason

Later on December 19th

Lydia's Christmas Dance Recital

She enjoys her dance class with two of her friends: McKenzie and Carly

December 22nd

PSNW Ballet The NUTCRACKER

Lydia, Grandma and Stephanie attended the Nutcracker in Seattle right before Christmas. It was so good. All three of us enjoyed the show so much! We figured out the last time Stephanie and her Mom went to the Nutcracker in Seattle was when Stephanie was pregnant with Lydia.

December 23rd

Snowflake Lane: Bellevue, WA

Zeke works right next to a large shopping area in Bellevue and every night in December there is a street show with a whole drum line, characters, snow, music, etc. Stephanie and the kids drove up one night and meet Zeke and attended the festivities. It's always magical for the kids, especially the little ones.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2009!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year.

First we went to Grandma and Grandpa McKinney's house for the big feast. The food was yummy and Grandma and Grandpa always make it special for us.

Jacob loves to help, so he was given this job.

Except only half of the olives made it to the table.
My 3 boys!!





The day after Thanksgiving we got up early and drove into Seattle by 8am for the Macy's Christmas Parade. It was colorful, festive and a little chilly.

After the parade the kids (except Mason, he's was feeling a little bit too old)

enjoyed the Merry-Go-Round.

Then we went to the Sheraton Hotel and walked through their Gingerbread Displays.

They were neat.

We stayed over night in Seattle that night and enjoyed swimming in the hotel and going out to eat.

Saturday morning was the annual Seattle Kids Marathon. Landon, Mason and Lydia participated this year. They each ran 25 miles prior to the race and finished the accumulated marathon last mile around the space needle.

Below are the runners.

Our friends the Biddulphs joined us this year at the hotel and the race. Their two girls Madison and Brinkley also raced.

This was Lydia's second year. She was so excited to run it with her Dad.

The marathon is always a great way to burn those extra Thanksgiving calories.

After the marathon, we headed back to our hotel, swam a little more and then packed up and headed out the door to the "Apple Cup".

University of Washington vs. Washington State football game.

We got to the field early enough to get a good seat. We entered the stadium the same time as the football team. We cheered for them as they walked off the bus and then they walked right by us into the stadium and Mason was so excited he jumped up and down non stop. He was able to give the star quarterback Jack Locker a high five before he entered the field.

We could have gone home at that point because that made Mason's day!! We sat in a very spirited section. They all knew each other, and so our family of 6 stood out. I've never gone to a sport game where the "usher" hugs almost every person coming into his section like they are his family, and then passes out hand warmers and candy to everyone. Watching the fans in our section was almost as fun as watching the football game.

Jacob cheered "Go Huskies" and danced to all the music.

It was a great game as the Huskies won 30-0!

Go HUSKIES!