homemade gifts & the rest of our Christmas

If january came to close, and I didn't get this up, I'm sure I never would have done it. I will probably back date this later to the end of December where it belongs and when I probably should've done it. But I kinda like dragging the memories out. And we made a lot of memories this Christmas. 

We just did all the stuff that most people do, but it was special because it was ours. And all 7 kids in my family (and their families) all were able to come. Craig and I and the boys made the drive to Phoenix a few days before Christmas with the car bursting full of presents and junk. Craig had even packed an extra suitcase, knowing that he would be flying out of Phoenix after Christmas to head to Iowa. 

We stopped at Mount Laguana -about an hour outside of San Diego -to play in the snow on the way.

 this was the boys 3rd time playing in snow this year. Not bad for California boys, (once in Boston when the snow came 2 months early, once in the fake snow at Sea World, and once between San Diego and phx- go figure on all 3).

 {at my brother Dave's house a few night before Christmas}

 {my mom made MATCHING pajamas for all 23! members of my family that we all opened Christmas Eve. we were quite a site.}

 

{I loved how excited all the kids were about their costumes, how sweet they all were while my dad read the Nativity and how baby Jesus (kimball) lay peacefully in the manger drinking his bottle} 

 My family has a lot of different Christmas traditions that my parents are so good about doing every year, and this is my favorite-Homemade gifts. Since I was little we have drawn names and made something for that person. Now that we are (mostly) grown, we still do it each year. We opened them on Christmas Eve this year- Mikey's balance board that David made was a favorite. 

 {23 stockings..filled with care}

 10:45 pm Christmas Eve- done

 both Miles and Parker are thrilled about the new "cars" underwear that miles just pulled out of his stocking.

 Posing with Great- Grandpa before heading off to church (leaving all presents waiting to be opened)

 Finally!!

 These show Parker and miles giving the presents they were most excited to give....Miles gave craig a party hat he picked out for him at the $1 (he really was SO SO excited to give this-maybe because he choose it %100 on his own). And Parker was so proud to give Craig & I "the plate" I think all kindergarteners must make. He loved that it was a surprise. right away he flipped it over ..."there's stuctions on the back mom about how to wash it special."

 my six siblings and I opening books, that were bound by my dad, that is my Grandma's journal about all of us that she typed and kept over the past 32 years. What a treasure!

my parents gave Parker and Andrew tool boxes. Parker's used to belong to MY grandpa. they sanded off the rust, spray painted them and filled them with extra tools, nails and screws. the best part....my dad put a combination lock on each of them and let them make up the code. Parker won't tell me his and I REALLY needed a pair a needle nose pliers while he was at school the other day. This was the present that parker was telling all his friends about in carpool the 1st day back to school. 

 the boys posing with all their loot...notables...a picture of each of them in front of the San Diego temple printed on canvas to put in their rooms, the quilts i made them, Crayola pipps markers that get used all day, everyday around here,  hotwheels tracks that mounts on the wall (it's up in P's room and really cool), many many star wars legos and guys,2 board games, and stuffed angry birds they launch at each other.

 miles and allie were best buddies 

the "original" indoor slide. People ask me all the time what made me think to put a slide in our house. well, this is the reason. when my dad built this house when I was 3, he put this slide in the toy room that was just my size. I, of course, always wanted to do the same for my kids.

Making gingerbread cookies with my Grandma...all 3 aprons were the homemade gift to us from Stephen and jarelle. I love them!

I can't help but already start planning for next year!