Just an old fashioned Christmas...Eve

Both sides of our families are getting sooo big that holidays aren't just "get togethers", they're " "get-squished-as-close-as-you-can-so-we-all-have-a-place-to-sit togethers". This Christmas Eve was spent at my family's in Moroni and the entire clan was there. And since we left our camera at the aforementioned "get together", these are all of the Christmas pictures I have of this year...so enjoy!

Zoe and her cousin Ashlyn. There are 3 six year olds, a five year old, a four year old, 3 three years and 3 one year olds on my side. Needless to say, it's a NOISY party.

Cole and Andy. I won't tell you why Andy's hand is where it is, but there is a reason....

Baby Ryan went nuts for the wrapping paper. It was so cute.

Just a shot of the crowd.

Max had a break down with that many people. The ONLY person who calmed him down was Uncle Korey.

We always have plans to be home early for Santa to come, but that never happens. But its okay. The kids got to go sledding, we had good fun, and each year my dad tells the Nativity Story and the kids just love it. It wouldn't be Christmas if it wasn't hectic, would it?

Ella Won District Reflections

I blanked out all the other names because WHO CARES? It's all about my kid, right?Sweet little bashful kid. She should be proud of herself.

(We obviously are.)



Pretty Blue eyes turn red in almost all light with our camera.

So, she wrote a great story about a mouse and she won out of all the elementary students in the school district.

They go K-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12 here.

I love Christmas music...I swear!

OKAY, already! I am not a scrooge (Mom!)...I guess my anti- Christmas song list gave everyone the wrong idea. I LOVE Christmas songs and will prove it with a different list. Now, I am avoiding traditional hymn carols...because that wouldn't make it fair to the other songs. The "BEST" Christmas songs ever are:

1. Carol of The Bells (I personally prefer Kenny Rogers rendition, but any will do.)

2. Mele Kalikimaka

3. I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas

4. Christmas On The Farm (I am fully aware no one will have heard of this one...but you Beardall's know what I'm talking about!)

5. Christmas Children (This is from the musical Scrooge, but there is a version out there that they play on the radio. Soooo beautiful.)

6. On This Day by Reba McEntire

7. Where Are You Christmas? (I think everyone will agree on this one.)

8. White Christmas (Not very original, but what is Christmas without Bing Crosby?)

9. Baby It's Cold Outside

10. 12 Days of Christmas as done by the Muppets!

And, last but not least

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!

Now, if we were including carols, I would have at the very top "We Three Kings" done by Sarah McLachlan and the Bare Naked Ladies. It's my very favorite. Please let me know of any disagreements or additions!

Christmas Chaos

Last Saturday we had the Avery Family Christmas party at our house. Andy has seven brothers, which makes for one big party. It was fun, though. Uncle Brian took all the cousins sledding, some kids performed musical numbers, and there was lots of food. Matt and Wes live out of state with their families, but they were there in spirit I'm sure. And, thankfully they don't sing carols the same way they sing "Happy Birthday."

Rob, Lauren, Candace, Grandpa Cardon, Angela, Zoe, Ella, James and Brandon in the back. Starting the cousin gift exchange.

Andy's dad needs a beard if he's going to play Santa!

Danny and the newest, cutest addition, Jackson.

Alex, James, Staci, and Zoe with her idol, Melissa.

Brian wearing the coolest pants ever.

Grandma Avery reading us a Christmas story.

'Tis the Season

Every year, the fire dept. Andy works for throws a killer party for the kids. There's a magician and a balloon man, and of course, Santa. Usually Santa comes in on the AirMed helicopter and Mrs. Claus is with him. For weeks Zoe has been telling us that she would only sit on Mrs. Claus' lap, and she didn't want to talk to Santa. Why is it that at that age, they LOVE him but are scared to death of him at the same time? Anyway, Mrs. Claus didn't make it! I was worried for about 2 seconds, because that's all it took for her to run up and give him a hug. Awesome.

Santa used a fire engine this year, they didn't care. I love this picture.

Santa gives great presents at this party too. Max wanted Zoe's wrapping paper more than anything else.

Just some Christmas prep time pictures. How long before that tree gets pulled down by a dog, cat, or one year old??

I swear we have this exact same picture of all three kids at this age. Just different pajamas and a different cat.

P.S. I forgot the worst song OF ALL: Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time. Augh, the pain it causes my ears!