We started off the holidays by heading up to Idaho to visit Kevin's parents. We left on Friday the 21st. We got up to Idaho around dinner time. We had dinner then got the kids to bed. After that we helped Grandma Haderlie get her decorations ready for Uncle Elwin and Cara's wedding luncheon. The sister missionaries came over and helped as well. It was an enjoyable night.
The next morning we got ready and waited until it was time to go to the luncheon. The luncheon was beautiful and delicious. They had someone smoke brisket and pork and Kevin loved it. He had like five plate fulls. As we were talking with everyone who had come, Camille and Jason had found the nursery room and there was a Paw Patrol Chase ride on toy. Jason thought it was the best thing. In fact when we tried to leave there were tears. But they took this toy and road it down a ramp. They thought it was so fun. I am glad that they found something fun to do during a wedding luncheon which is not the most fun thing to do as a 4 and 2.
After the luncheon we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's house and played with Lainey. Liv was taking a nap. We love playing with our Haderlie cousins. It doesn't happen often enough, but when it does we love it.
We decided to stay until Sunday and it was a great decision. We were able to go to Shannon's ward and they did a great Christmas Program. Shannon sung in the choir and had a solo song. She did a wonderful job. We went back to the house and played and rested and we were just together as a family. Later that night Diane, Hannah and Mckyla came to stay. It was fun to see them for a couple hours before we had to leave to come home.
We were home for Christmas Eve and it was so nice. I woke up early to go to Walmart and get a couple things for the day, and as I was coming home I saw that Krispy Cream was making hot fresh doughnuts. So I came home and when the kids woke up we took them back to Walmart to buy snow cloths then went and got doughnuts for breakfast. Is there a better breakfast than doughnuts? Probably, but they were still delicious and it was a fun breakfast.
After breakfast we drove up to Morgan and had lunch with everyone who was there. Matt and Brooklyn were over from California, Blake and Melissa, and Jacob were all there. It was fun to see everyone, and have some lunch. After lunch we grabbed some of my dads sleds and went sledding. We convinced Shantel, Lydia, and Austin to come sledding with us. We drove up past Trappers Loop and found the perfect hill. It was steep enough for the kids to go down, but short enough that they could climb back by themselves. It was so much fun. I held Sadie in the car for the most part, but Kevin went out and played with the kids. They even made the cutest snowman.
After sledding we came back home and started our Christmas Eve. I am still trying to figure out what the Kevin and Jenna Haderlie Christmas Eve Traditions are. This was a good year though, so maybe that is what our traditions will look like from here on out. We got home and made some cookies for Santa. Then we ate dinner, which was Panda Express. The kids really like Panda express and so do Kevin and I so it worked out great. After dinner we had some sticker nativity sets and as Kevin read the Birth of Jesus Christ story in the Bible, we put the stickers on when we heard each name. I think it helped the kids know what was happening. After we were finished, we brought out the Christmas presents from our bedroom. The kids loved running back and forth from my room to the Christmas tree. We read some Christmas books and then put the kids to bed. It was such a good memory for the kiddos.
After the kids went to bed, we pulled the little couch in front of the fire place. We opened some sparkling cider and read Calvin and Hobbs by the fireplace. It was pretty much perfect. I was so tired from waking up so early and going hard all day that I ended up falling asleep sitting up, but it was perfect.
Christmas morning was just as good. The kids slept in until 7, then when we came out they just came out to see what Santa left in their stockings. It was fun. Christmas is more fun from a parents point of view. This year they got creating stuffs from Santa. From us they got a marble run set, building blocks, and magnetic blocks. Also they got some Paw Patrol characters and PJ Masks characters. They were a big hit. Especially with Jason. After presents we made breakfast and headed to my parents house.
Once we got to my parents house we opened presents and had Christmas dinner. It was delicious and so nice to see family. My Grandpa and Grandma Knowles were there and my Grandpa Walker came down for presents and dinner too. It was so nice to see them. After presents the Walker Family Cup officially started. There was pickle ball (which we came in second place. Melissa and Blake rocked everyone). There was Pig (which we were hoping to do good in but Shantel pulled out her hidden basketball skills and rocked the court). There was Banagrams ( obviously Mom rocked everyone in this) and last but not least Bop it (which I came in first place!). After all was said and done there was a three way tie between Kevin and I, Melissa and Blake, and Jacob and Whitney. So we settled it the smartest way that we can with Rock Paper Scissors. In the end Melissa and Blake won the Walker Family Cup.
It was such a fun day. That night we just hung out eating and playing games. We played a bomb diffusal game that was on the computer. It was so fun. I really enjoyed it. And we learned how to play Canasta. It was surprisingly really fun, and the perfect old person game. Which means it is perfect for me because I am pretty much an old person.
The next day Melissa, Blake, Shantel, and David all had to leave. We decided to stay an extra day and play with Matthew, Brooklyn and Jacob. It was such a nice day of playing and hanging out with my family.
Overall I am just so grateful for my family. My Idaho family and Utah family. I am grateful to be a part of their family. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and I am grateful that we were able to celebrate his Birth and life. It was a beautiful month spent with family learning of Jesus Christ and coming closer together as a family.
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