Christmas

We gathered at the Hiatt home Christmas Eve for food & gifts. My parents gather gifts throughout the year in Vegas and we play a game to see who gets what. This year's game was "white elephant" style. We each had a number and Amy read out numbers until all the gifts were distributed. At the end, everyone had one turn to steal a gift. Shane didn't want anyone to steal anything from us, so we didn't steal anything. His idea didn't work, though, as we did have something stolen from us. I can't remember what it was, though! It was a lot of fun. There was a bit of a twist this year as my mom added some risque gifts to the mix. So much fun... just sayin'! (That one was for you mom!)

These were my house guests over the holidays and we love them dearly! Thanks you guys for making Christmas so memorable for us! These are the candid shots of us trying to get the camera set up just right for the self-timer.

Just Right!

Christmas Pajamas- soooo happy I found a matching pair. I don't think I have many more years that I will be able to do this with one boy & one girl.

 Christmas Day Santa Presents

Under Lex's wrapping, Santa brought him The Battle of Endor lego set. The first thing Isabel asked running down the stairs this morning was where was her pink zhu zhu from Santa. Good thing she was a good girl this year!

Grandma J in Logan made these absolutely precious & adorable monkeys for Lex & Isabel this year.

Story time.  Shane was going through some of his old things and found a monkey his mother had made him when he was about Lex's age. This monkey is quite beat up. I think he was missing an eye and his tail. The monkey was made in such a way that it hangs on you without falling off easily because the hands and feet are weighted. Lex & Isabel fell in love with him. But, being a 20+ year old monkey, he was fragile. So, I asked Grandma J if it would be possible for her to make some for my kids. It turned out to be quite the task. She logged over 48 hours on these creatures. They will be one of a kind because she is retired from monkey-work. I appreciate all the hard work put into these and am so happy my kids fell in love with them at first site. They haven't put them down since. Who knows. Maybe in 20 years, they will have the same story to tell their own children with new monkeys of their own!

Meet Isabel's monkey "Polka-Nuts" and Lex's monkey "Monk-Monk"

(Isabel's monkey is named as such because of the polka dots on the fabric & ribbon. She has interpreted polka dots as polka nuts!)

Isabel Lou Who

Kristin had the craziest idea to turn Isabel into a real life Cindy-Lou Who from the movie "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". The braids I knew I could do, but I really didn't have any idea how I was going to get her long hair to stand up like it does in the movie. Luckily, I had saved a small party hat from a few weeks before. I set it on her head, pulled her hair up around it, and tied a bow at the top. It worked! She absolutely loved it & the attention that came along with it. We had Christmas dinner at the Mead home and with lots of people there she got plenty of ooo's & aaah's! It was fun & she enjoyed the character she got to play for the afternoon. We even made sure to watch the movie again.... for the tenth time this month!

Annual Afternoon Tea

It was a smaller gathering this year with Melissa & Cassie out of town. But, we had a big surprise with Kristin showing up! It was so great to have her here with us. We will most likely be out of town ourselves next year, but look forward to next time as Isabel will be old enough to join us, too. We're all going to attend in tea dresses, hats & little white gloves in 2012. It will be adorable!

Christmas Card 2010

I hadn't originally planned to send out cards this year as time just got the best of me, but Shane asked and so it was!

Dear Santa

Santa Letters

Lex

Isabel

A Merry Birthday

Surprise! Melissa wanted to get the families together for an early Christmas gathering since she will be out of town for the holidays this year. I thought it would be a great opportunity for a surprise birthday party for her as well. Complete with birthday party hats!

Cookie decorating was originally planned for the kids, but many adults got in on the fun, too. Here's one of the birthday girl's creation!

Yay for Sisterness!

Believe

Festival of Trees

Our niece, Kaylan, had a dance recital at the Festival of Trees this year so we headed on down to see her perform and also to see the beautiful work donated by so many wonderful people for such a truly wonderful program. I read some of the stories of who a tree was crafted for and it just touches my heart so deeply. I don't know how I'd ever get through something as painful as losing a child, but seeing all the joy this festival brings reminds me even more of what my gifts are... my family. May everyone find the same joy this Christmas season!

Crizaldo Cousins

Just a small sampling of the creative work done for the Festival of Trees. One day I hope to be able to donate something just as beautiful.

Christmas Trees

 

Gingerbread Houses

There were also all these amazing quilts. This was one of my "simple" favorites. Maybe because I think it's one I could see myself making... not too complicated.

House Guest

A package arrived at the Jorgensen residence this afternoon... from the North Pole!

Meet Christopher Pop-In-Kins. He's going to help keep Lex & Isabel on Santa's good list this month. Stay tuned for more adventures!