A Different Christmas

Whitney enjoying his Christmas Gift
Cortney is so into her gift she can't even look up for the camera

Ah, Jaime! That sweater will be swell for a New Year's Eve party

Good Laughs, Good Times :)

Random pic of Toby flying an airplane (just thought it was cool)

Going out on the town to see The Nutcracker

Arielle, Miah & Athena (The Chorus Girls!)

Southwest Elementary's "Up On A Housetop" Performance

This is great for Jim's back...

Putting up the tree

This was our first Christmas alone since Toby was a newborn! We usually always have a huge family gathering with my side of the family in Utah or go to Florida to be with Jim's parents & my grandmom. But being the last year in anesthetist school, we couldn't afford to go ANYWHERE. At first I was bummed and thought our holiday would be boring & lame, but soon I came around to the idea that sleeping in, setting our own schedule & doing whatever the heck we want (within our budget) sounded pretty good! Relaxing and quality family time were top of the list. Here's some of the highlights:

1. Alison from work giving us free tickets to The Nutcracker!


2. LRB (my work) spoiling us with parties & gifts


3. Getting a REAL Christmas tree (haven't had once since we've had kids)

4. Enjoying Tanglewood Lights

5. Going Bowling

6. Watching Arielle sing with the chorus in her school Holiday Production

7. Seeing Tangled at our new favorite $3 dollar theater! That's right- new releases, anytime of day for $3!

8. Getting LOTS of snow. 4 inches on Christmas Day & Dec. 26th, that is record breaking around here. It was beautiful and a great excuse to stay inside & be cozy. Church & all activities were cancelled.

9. Getting together with my running buddies & their hubbies for some good "White Elephant" fun

For Christmas Eve the kids opened PJs and a couple Liken videos. Likens are great musicals that tell a scripture story but with modern flare. Only the Christmas one had a little too much flare! It was SO Cheesy that we laughed our way through it...so much for spiritual Christmas Eve's...

Christmas morning Santa brought Arielle a saddle pad & a robe. Toby got soccer gear. Both kids were spoiled rotten by their grandparents on both sides and received some spending money. Arielle quickly went out and purchased an IPOD touch! She is rocking out at the top of her lungs in her bedroom right now as I write this :) Toby bought a couple Wii games, but is also saving some money for movie admissions and other outings with friends.

This quiet Christmas has turned out pretty good. And the kids' break isn't over yet. Still have Ice Skating with the church group & New Year's long weekend to look forward to :)