Christmas fun!

We were able to stay just over a week down in Boise for Christmas (Yay for paid vacation!) We were worried about the weather in the mountains, but it was clear pavement for both the drive down and the drive back. We felt very blessed for the nice weather! We arrived in Boise late Tuesday night, which worked out well for us because my mom is a night owl :) This also gave me a couple days before Christmas to finish up some much needed Christmas shopping. Anybody who knows me or Moses Lake realizes the lack of shopping. Evie had such a fun time playing with her cousins. This is part of the reason it's so hard to be away from family - she plays so well with her cousins. Anyway, Christmas Eve day and night and Christmas morning was spent with Owen's family. We had a lovely (and I'm sure expensive) lunch with the family on Christmas Eve afternoon. Owen's parents are so kind and generous to treat us all. It's a tradition that we do lunch, draw names and pick out a $5 gift for the names we get.

The whole group...minus Owen's parents. His dad was taking the picture and apparently his mom didn't quite cut it (just kidding Annette :)

Daddy reading Evie the nativity story.

Evie was so excited about her stocking. This kid sleeps late. We had to wake her up at 8:30am in order to open her gifts and get to church by 10:00 am. She was half asleep while opening her gifts and wasn't QUITE as excited as I thought she would be. She still loved her presents!

Evie with Grandma and Grandpa Johnston after church.

A failed attempt at a family picture.........seems like a running theme :)

Evie opening her new pillowcase that Grandma Johnston made. She loved it! The little dress she is wearing was in a dress up trunk that Santa brought her. She LOVED that as well :)

We celebrated Christmas with my family later during the day.

Grandma and Grandpa Ogden gave all of the little girls the princess baby dolls. They loved them. Evie got Belle. I attempted a picture with all of the girls and their dolls....that was not happening. This was the best shot I got!

My sister had Owen's name this year and got him an awesome video game chair. It has the speakers built in and everything. He was pretty excited. He had been asking me for one back at Thanksgiving time and my response was...."well, I will go get you a banana chair from DI if you want." Poor guy....he has such a loving wife ;) The little girls loved this chair. They were climbing all over it or whoever was on it!

Made a trip to Chuck E Cheese. Evie had a blast playing air hockey.....

riding rides....

and playing the games!

Reading books with Grandpa the night before we left.

Once grandpa was finished, Aunt Charity took a turn.

These cousins played so well the night before we left. Evie shared her dress up clothes and Felicity shared her princess barbie dolls - almost unheard of for 2 year olds!

I can't believe another Christmas has come and gone. We have lived in Washington for a year now. It is crazy how fast time goes. Before you know it, next Christmas will be here. I hope everyone reading this had a great holiday season!