Alittle Christmas Decor

Most of December was rather quiet at our house. I kept thinking of the girls, going crazy, trying to unpack, get back to school, host birthday partys, participate in Christmas activities, shop for Christmas and decorate for Christmas. There was also one week of December that was filled with doctor appointments for us- a couple for Ron, a couple for me, and one for mom. Remember all of our medical stuff is still "free" :) Ron had a second cataract surgery after we got back from CA. He was also plagued with nasty chest congestion for more than a month.
One of our neighbors hosted a Christmas cookie exchange that was fun. We went to the BGR Christmas party and we went to the temple Christmas devotional. I went with mom to a Christmas tasters luncheon at her church. These events were followed by a few doctor appointments. Finally...I got out some Christmas decor...

I didn't get these until the day after Christmas...when they were on sale...but here is my newest addition to my favorite nativity set. (The kids gave us this set a couple of years ago- they each bought part of it. I added the flying angel last year) 

This year...the ox and the goat.

Saturday November 29

Saturday, the 29th, was another driving day for me and the Petes and the Christiansens. We left Oceanside about 11:30. Micah wanted to stop at an airplane museum, not too far out from Oceanside. It was a fun stop for the kids.

We were trying to get back to St. George for the night...but didn't make it that far. We stayed in alittle town just west of St. George. We made it to sacrament meeting on Sunday morning...but it was not a pretty sight ;) The Christiansens stayed for the rest of church. Ash and I drove on...but as it turned out...there was a bad accident on the highway between there and St. George...took us 3 hours. By the time the Christiansens were driving...the accident was gone but traffic was still backed up and slow. We finally made it back to American Fork...us about 8 and Christiansens about 11. Ash and the kids decided to spend the night there...it looked like snow between American Fork and Smithfield and the kids were "so done" being in the car :) That worked out well, because Ashley took me to the airport on Monday, on her way home. (only bad thing was the kids missed another day of school). My flight from SLC to Dallas was delayed...but so was the flight from Dallas to SAT. I finally arrived after 10 and Ron was there to pick me up. It was a great week...but pretty glad to be home ;)
(Ron and Sam and the boys flew from San Diego to San Antonio on Saturday. Audrey flew from LA to San Antonio on Saturday)

Two pretty girls back in American Fork.

One Last Photo from Oceanside

On Saturday morning as we were waiting in the lobby for everyone to checkout of their room and then say "good bye"...Audrey was teaching all of the kids the "fine art of selfies". 

Love...Aunt Audrey!


(remember you can click on the photos and collages and make them larger)

Family Photos (November 28)

On Friday morning, we took family photos at he resort.
We got a pretty good assortment :)

After a while..."Don't take any more pictures!!"

Thanksgiving Dinner (November 27)

Early in the week we gave out assignments for food for Thanksgiving dinner. I was doing the turkey, gravy, stuffing, and a pie. Carrie did a sweet potatoe casserole. Annie did green beans, chicken drumsticks, and a pie. Sam did mashed potatoes and rolls. Alison did green beans. Ashley did a salad and a pie. (I know I am missing some things- I will come back and edit this later) We rearranged furniture and managed to get places for all of us to sit in ONE room. It was great having all of the food assignments and just having all of the food show up at dinner time. It wasn't too  much cooking for anyone. We didn't get very many pics though, at dinner. Here are the kids waiting for dinner- sitting on the bed watching TV. Then one picture of the "kids table".

What an amazing thing it was to have everyone there together.

Thanksgiving Day Races

Early on Thanksgiving day, Annie and Carrie got up early and ran a "real" race there in Oceanside.
It started right behind the resort, by the pier, and also finished right there.

Speaking of Carrie...we also celebrated her birthday on Wednesday, with a chocolate cake!

Alison planned a "Turkey Trot Fun Run" for all of the kids. Complete with shirts (that Ashley brought), treats, balloons, and awards. There was also a little flag football that morning on the beach.

15 Grandchildren

One of our projects for the week was taking photos of all the grandkids together. Ashley brought cute tshirts for everyone to wear with their name and their "number" on the back. Kind of by accident on Thanksgiving morning we got a few pics of the kids lined up on the beach. When we tried to do a more perfect line up on Friday morning there was no cooperation from numbers 12-15 :)

This is as good as it got on Friday morning :)