December Videos

 

 

Sledding!

Papa Ray and Kim live on a BIG hill. It's not so great when you have to drive UP it in the winter, but going down is great on a sled! We were lucky to drive up before anything started melting so we were ok. The kids had some fun sledding even though it was FREEZING out there. 

When we left Papa Ray and Kim's and drove home, we arrived home to find 3 inches of snow that needed to be shoveled! 

Christmas #3 in Yakima

We drove down to Yakima on Christmas morning to visit Papa Ray and Kim. The roads weren't the best and we saw several vehicles in the ditch. 

With all the snowy roads, this sign really made us laugh today. Not that it doesn't always make us laugh...just more than usual. 

Kim cooked a fantastic dinner and the kids had fun opening their presents. 

Nathan said this was his favorite Christmas gift this year.  He also got a Star Wars lego kit and some Star Wars pajamas. 

His collection is getting so big, he's about ready to shovel it! 

Kim always decorates so beautifully. The kids counted snowmen again this year and came up with 82! Elizabeth got some My Little Pony gifts and some legos.  

The view from the house is so beautiful. It overlooks Yakima. 

Outside fun in Royal

It was quite cold on Christmas. We spent a little bit of time outside but not much because everyone was so cold!

Pippa needs to be walked even during the winter so we all went on winter walks for her. 

Elizabeth tried to slide on the ice in Gram's driveway. 

Even though I'm never in the pictures, I'm there! See? 

Papa Norm bought some new guns that he's hoping Nathan can use to shoot those pigeons. Nathan got to practice with a new 22. Papa also got a 20 gauge shotgun. Nathan thought that might be too big for him so he didn't use it. Jeremy spent a lot of time cleaning the guns and putting them back together! 

Christmas #2 in Royal City

We drove up to Royal City on the 24th. 

The kids decorated the tree for Papa and Gram. 

Gram showed Elizabeth the snow globe. 

The table from 1901 was refurnished. Doesn't it look nice? 

Some Battleship was played. 

A pretty typical scene. Laura reading and Pippa sitting close by. 

We played the Oregon Trail card game. We did not make it to Oregon. Nathan died of a snakebite on his first turn! 

Grandma Pam came! She made a new friend. Pippa is good at making new friends. 

Nathan sitting at the table waiting for Christmas dinner. Isn't the centerpiece beautiful?? Grandma Pam brought it. 

One end of the table starting their dinner. 

The other end. 

These 4 people all wore red and gray shirts. It was funny. 

Thanks for cooking a delicious dinner Gram! 

Santa Dog did come!! 

A family photo by the tree. 

First Christmas

Jeremy had Christmas and the surrounding days off this year! Before we started off on our trip, we had the kids open their presents here at home so we didn't have to bring the presents along and then bring them all back! 

Elizabeth with her new horse Buttercup, some My Little Pony nail polish and some new playdough. She also got a coloring book and a lego set. Both kids needed new bow and arrow sets as the bows break every year. 

Nathan got some Star Wars lego sets, a Harry Potter hippogriff and a new bow and arrow set. 

Luminaras

Every year, a neighborhood in Pasco puts out luminaras. The people in those areas also tend to do a lot of Christmas lights as well! LOTS of people dress up as Santa and pass out candy canes. Even people not dressed up as Santa pass out candy canes. It's kind of like trick r treating for candy canes. The kids came home with a pile of them! I just posted some pictures of the pretty streets and lights that were our favorites. 

All the streets were lined with luminaras like this. 

The house with the blue lights was Jeremy's favorite. 

I was in an all white light mood this year and liked these houses. 

This was the kids favorite house. Everything blinked different colors constantly!

The kids wore cozy pajamas. We listened to the Christmas music channel. We all had a thermos of hot chocolate and the kids had popcorn. When they finished the popcorn, they ate candy canes. They basically snacked the whole time and pointed at lights. 

Craft Night

A week or so before Christmas, the kids had a craft night at school. They did fun activities and crafts! 

They got to sit on Santa's lap. This Santa was quite amazing in that he knew every single kid's name before they even told him! (It was the principal). 

Elizabeth saw these jars and knew she had to make one for Grandma Pam for her rock collection. She worked hard to make a perfect pretty jar for Grandma Pam. 

Reindeer Games

We went and visited the reindeer today. They come every year for a visit! I guess Santa this is how Santa prepares them for the big trip.