Vacation/Christmas

Christmas Vacation has started and I am looking forward to having to worry about homework and school stuff for a couple of weeks. Christmas vacation actually started the 17th but I am posting what we have done later. We really haven't done much it has been nice.

On Wednesday the 22nd we decided to go sledding with some friends that were visiting in Bellingham from California and so we went all the way up to Mt Baker and went sledding and let me tell you it was worth it. It has been so long since we have been to Mt Baker. The last time we went sledding there was when Madison was just barely a year old. It was so much fun to go back up there and go sledding, I forgot though how long the hills were and then you had to climb back up them, it is a work out just goin back up to sled back down. The kids had fun and it was fun to see our friends again and visit with them. Madison had such a fun time and Zach did too but he doesn't much like the cold so he had fun but was a little winey and well. Carson loved it as well but he wanted to take his coat and gloves off and so we had to take him back to the car to warm up. We had fun and I would like to go back there with just Larry and I and sled, because I don't know how to skii or anything like and either does Larry, and it would be nice to not have to worry about a 6 year old complaining and then a 2 year old you have to carry up the hill. So here are the pictures of our sledding adventure.

We are at the top getting ready to go sledding.

Madison happy as a clam after she went down the hill for the first time.
Here is Madison bringing the sled back up the hill, it isn't easy.

I love this picture because Larry went down the hill and his beard had a ton of snow on it, he kind of looked like Santa.

This is usually how we had to carry Carson back up the hill and it was not easy.

I picked this picture because you can see kind of how much snow there is and how the hill kind of is as well.

Larry trying to get Zach to get on the sled and Zach not wanting to and then Carson getting ready to push them down the hill. Zach got on but only because Larry pulled him on and went down the hill. Zach was not impressed.

He doesn't too unhappy.

We never got a family picture but we got one of Larry with the kids and them me with the kids.

My jacket looks extra big because I have about two coats on under the main coat. I wasn't about to get cold.

We said good bye to the mountain and went back down.

For Christmas this year we stayed home for our Christmas Eve. It just got to be too much to take everything up to my dad's and so we stayed home Christmas Eve and we went up to Bellingham on Christmas for dinner. It was nice to wake up in our house and open our presents at home and not have to worry about taking all of the kids presents back home with us either.

On Christmas Eve we went over to Carlee and Jason's because they weren't doing anything either and my dad came and stayed with them and we had a ham dinner and the kids played and we decorated sugar cookies for Santa and made reindeer food. It was quiet and nice and I think that next year I am going to have a party like we used to do when I was little with music and food and games and stories. I am already looking forward to Christmas next year. I love Christmas.

Zach and one of his cookies for Santa.

Adeline and one of her cookies. She was so cute I would take her picture and then she would want to look at her picture.

Heather and one of her cookies. Heather really got into it she did such a great job on her cookies.

Two of Heather's cookies

Madison and Zach dumping their reindeer food. It was raining outside so they were in a hurry. Zach wanted to put his on the roof but unfortunately we weren't able to do that.

Christmas morning. Zach helping Carson get started but Carson new exactly how to do it.

Madison got a ipod dock which she has been wanting for her ipod.

She opened her next present and it was a dsi and when she opened it Zach said that is was unfair that she got one.

Here she really excited about it.

Here Zach opened his Santa gift and he got his own dsi as well, he has been wanting one for a long time.

He also wanted Donkey Country Returns and he was super excited about that.

Carson happy as a clam and everytime he opened a present he wanted to open it and play with it. He loved it.

Carson was the last one to open his presents because he was distracted with his new toys.

When we were done with our presents we ate breakfast got ready to go to Bellingham and we picked up my dad from Carlee's and off we went. When we got to Bellingham we waited for Carlee and Jason to get there and we were told that we had to go down to my grandma's because she had something for the kids.

Here is Carson and little grandma.

After little grandma's we went back up to sister's and opened up presents from sisters.

Carson got some truck and cars which he loves.

Zach really wanted a paper jamz and he got it from my sister Angie's family.

Carson got hotwheels and a track and he had a blast with them. I think Jason had fun as well.

Madison got a Taylor Swift cd which she wanted. The kids faired well this year and I am greatful that it is over. I tried to teach my children that it isn't about the presents during Christmas and Madison and Zach got it which I am greatful for. Now I can't wait for next year. :)