Marquis's family has a tradition that every year they spend Christmas at their timeshare up at East Canyon. As I said before, this year we had tons of family because Marquis's brother and family came from Ohio and his sister and family came from Missouri. Because of that we ended up getting two condos just so that everyone could fit. It was so much fun! It always amazes me how these cousins can live so far apart, and yet every time they see each other they are instant best friends. Even after being crammed in close quarters for a few days, they still weren't sick of each other, at least not that I could tell. Sweetheart still does the secret handshake that her cousin taught her, so fun!
We got up there the evening of December 23. The next day I had to work, so I had my laptop in the living room and worked while everyone just hung out. (Have I mentioned that I love my job? I love that I have the flexibility to do that!) At one point the kids went sledding and they had a blast. This first picture is Sweetheart with my two beautiful nieces. Behind them you can see the gigantic pile of presents, that's a lot of loot! Marquis's parents have a special Christmas tree that they take to East Canyon and set up every year so we can have a tree there, too.
This is CG, ignoring me on purpose, hoping that if she did I wouldn't take her picture. She was wrong. This was on one of the top bunk's in the boys room, they had a gaming system set up and everything in there, the perfect hangout.
Once again, sorry for the crappy, blurry pictures! Crappy cell phone pics!This is what happens when you announce to a bunch of teenage and almost teenage boys, and also my sweet niece, that there is Los Hermanos salsa downstairs. This picture does not adequately show the swarm at the table.
On Christmas Eve everyone got to open one present. I love this next picture because I love the look on CG's face. I don't remember what was so funny, but I love that girl's smile!
Here is Princess hanging with her uncle after opening her new jammies.
And then to the main event. Because we had two condos, the boys slept in the bunk bed room in one condo and the girls slept in the other. Santa came to the boy condo, so early in the morning we woke up and walked over to the boy one. Sweetheart didn't even stop to take off her coat before she was diving in to her stash.
The living room was really crowded, but no one really seemed to care. It was lots of fun chaos as everyone dived in. Here is one view of the crowded room:
And another:
Princess loved her new monkey, very chewable hands!
Sweetheart got a quiet book for church. Wow, Santa must have spent a lot of time making that! (We finally had her coat off by this point, but she still had on her shoes.)
Poor CG, there was a mix up with her present. Apparently the elf in charge of her stash made a mistake and her presents weren't there in time, so Santa made a special trip to her house and left it there. CG is awesome and was a super good sport about it and just enjoyed her stocking. How is it that she can look so gorgeous so early in the morning, after only like 5 minutes getting ready?
I love these girls!
This is the only picture Marquis would let me take of him on Christmas morning. (Wonder where CG gets it from? I don't.) Santa put a new headlamp for camping in Marquis's stocking, and here he is testing it out.
Stinker.Marquis's dad made the most awesome present for Sweetheart and my two nieces this year. He has a bunch of woodworking tools in his garage and he made one of these for each of the girls.
Isn't it beautiful? Not a great picture, but trust me, gorgeous. Each cradle came with a little mattress, a pillow and a couple of blankets. If you are thinking that doll looks rather real, that's because that doll is Princess, and she seemed very content in there letting Sweetheart tuck her in.When we got home a couple of days later Santa had come through and there were CG's Christmas presents. Here she is modeling her new riding helmet and show shirt.
Notice the bunny ears in the background. I love my family!
1 comment:
cool xmas update. :)
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