Christmas 2009

Well Christmas has come and gone, but the memories linger. We spent Christmas eve at my mom and dad's house and Christmas morning at Rick's sister's house. My family is getting so big, but I sure do love the organized chaos (drives my Mom and Leslie crazy). We had over 30 people there. Mom's gift to all of us was a beautiful dinner and we didn't have to bring anything to contribute. The little kids all got presents from Grandma and Grandpa and then the adults did a $10 gift game. It was fun to have everyone around. Following are some of the pictures I took. The little girls sure did have fun with all the new babies.





It's amazing the difference one year can make in a new born babies life. These two pictures are of Macie and Molly in and with their Christmas socks. Pretty amazing stuff! The girls were just out of the hospital and weighed about 4-5 pounds, now they are near 21 pounds.






Ferd, my hero, seemed to get a kick out of putting on a Santa hat and really got a rise out of Cole. These pictures are priceless to me, and hopefully someday to my grandkids. I never had the chance to meet my Great-Grandparents and here Cole is playing with his Great-Pee-pa.

Christmas Eve get togethers is our tradition. Even though Megan is 25 and has three kids of her own, she still feels the need to meet at Grandma's house. This picture really shows how full her's and Curtis' hands really are. I got a pretty good picture of Kyle, not a very good one of Kaden and missed Nina.

Macie, Curtis, Molly, Megan and Cole (everyone looks a little worn out! It was a wild, fun night)

Kyle trying to get one of the babies to walk to him.

Kaden, just chillin'.

I sure hope that Cole knows how important he is to us and how much we love him. He was so young when the twins were born and they get so much of the attention. So, Cole, if you ever read this in the future, we love you sooo much.

We've always felt like someone was missing because Steve and his family live so far away. But since Alisa lives here in Utah, she has kind of filled that void. I love Alisa like she's my own. This year we were lucky enough to Nathan with us. We're sure hoping that he turns into a Utahn so that we can see more of him.

Christmas morning at Vicky's house is always such a treat. I always get to bring the funeral potatoes, Peggy brings the ham, Rick cooks the eggs, Val toasts the english muffins and everyone else just pitches in. We all sit around and eat, visit and open presents. I have to admit, those four Allred kids really do love and enjoy each others company. I didn't get hardly any pictures. The onlly ones I got are of Vicky's tree she bought at Festival of Tree of the "Nightmare Before Christmas" and a picture of Val, Vic and Peggy.

All is all, Christmas was wonderful this year. Not the magic of when I was little, but the magic of loving my husband, my kids, their kids, and our extended families. Sure am planning on 2010 being a fantastic year. 2009 had some pretty icky times, but oh so many good.!