6 Deans + a Dog: December 2008

Saturday, December 27, 2008

CHRISTMAS 2008

Christmas Eve Bowling with the Nelson Clan
(One of my favorite things about Christmas)

Sage, Jake, Adam, Will, Sadie, Alex, Chloe, Annie,
Lindsey, James, Rachel

(missing: Morgan, Cylia, Jaxon and Ellsie)

Melanie, Amy, Mom and Me

The Nelson Gang
(minus: Troy, Cylia, Jed, Mandy, Jaxon and Ellsie)

Christmas Eve Dinner at the Deans

Judy, Roger, Me, Mike, Spencer, Michelle
(John and Tonya were at the Wade's for Dinner)

So excited to go home and go to BED

Christmas Morning!!!

My 7 kids:
1) Rachel, 2) Mike, 3) Diesel, 4) Jake,
5) Sadie, 6) Will, & 7) Baby Alive (Sadie's new toy)
(She really poops and pees so its just like having another child,
doesn't that sound fun?)

Christmas Breakfast at the Nelson's

Us with my parents: Robert and Ruthie

Christmas Lunch at the Dean's
Judy and Roger with their 7 Grandkids
Parker, Will, Jake, Taylor, Rachel, Abby and Sadie

As I was putting away the Christmas Decorations today I really had time to reflect and think about this GREAT Holiday we just celebrated. The parties are over, presents have been unwrapped and mostly put away, holiday treats are almost eaten and gone, Christmas cards are starting to fall off the door, husbands will soon be back to their regular work schedules, and thank heaven kids will be back in school soon, but how lucky we are to always have the gospel and The love of Christ in our lives.
I have a quote I keep in my kitchen:

"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life"

I hope we always remember Christ and His great love and sacrifice for each one of us. I am so grateful for all of the examples of GREAT Family and Friends in my life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas Traditions...

My friend Nikki has been posting her families Christmas traditions for almost a week now and I have really enjoyed reading what they do. I decided to write down our Christmas traditions:

* The kids draw names for each other and we all go to the store and Mike takes 2 kids and I take 2 kids and they help pick a $10 gift for the one they picked. Mike buys a gift for me and I buy a gift for Mike. It is alot of fun especially trying to stay away from each other at the store.

* Bowling on Christmas Eve Day with the Nelsons. We have done that for as long as I can remember. My dad brings coins and gives money for strikes, spares, gutters, low score, high score. It is alot of fun. We all bring some snacks and hang out for a few hours. The funny thing is we see the same families there every year. I guess other people have the same tradition.

* We always put all our Santas on our fireplace. (I love how they are all placed together.) I always put the olive wood nativity I got in Jerusalem on the kitchen table so each meal we eat together we can be reminded of our Savior and why we celebrate Christmas.

* Christmas Eve the kids always open their present from me under the tree. It isn't too exciting because it is always pajamas. I sure love picking them out some new PJs each year.

* My mom gives the kids an advent calendar over Thanksgiving. It is fun to take turns opening a piece of chocolate each day until Christmas.

* Mike puts the lights on our Christmas tree and the kids decorate it all by themselves while I set up the Santas. I love to see what a GREAT job they do.

* We alternate Christmas Eve dinner with our families. If we have Thanksgiving with one family we have Christmas Eve with the other. It works out so nice because than on both days the kids aren't overly tired. (The year it is at my house we act out the Nativity)

* Christmas Day can be a little crazy but we love getting to see both families. We always go to my house for sweetrolls and Christmas egg casserole, than to Mikes for sandwiches and funeral potatoes. We try to get home around 5:00 so the kids can play with their toys.

* We always go downtown and see the Christmas lights at the temple. After we like to go and get hot chocolate.

9 Days until Christmas!!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

OH...Christmas Tree, OH...Christmas Tree!!!

This year we decided to go and cut down our own Christmas Tree. It actually was alot of fun and the kids had a great time walking around trying to pick the perfect tree. We took our snow clothes so they sledded/snowboarded while we were there. The tree sure looked alot smaller in the woods than when we actually got it in the house. I think Mike had to cut off almost 4 feet of the tree so it would fit in our front room. I sure love the smell of a real tree but I can't say I love all the pine needles that constantly drop and having to water it (kind of a pain).