Christmas.

Christmas is seriously the best way to end the year off. Family, food, games, traditions. Its just the best. We spent the 23rd to the 24th with the Olsen family doing all of the above. Instead of a turkey dinner we did a potato bar on the 23rd and then appy's, cheese/crackers and that kind of thing Christmas Eve. We did our usual Secret Santa. Its the only time its acceptable for the kids to ring a door bell and run so they quite enjoy it. The kids did their usual scavenger hunt and we had two separate games of Catan going on a couple of times over the two days.

We headed home late afternoon so we could do our own little Christmas Eve at home. Usually we get home super late Christmas Eve and it was a nice change being home to enjoy the peace and quiet before Christmas morning. We ate more good food, played games, and just hung out. Ryan and I worked on a puzzle and it was just perfect. The kids hung their stocking and all slept in the basement together.

Christmas morning went just as it should. So fun and exciting. Hayley got her American girl she had been asking for. She really wanted Grace, but she is one of the girl's of the year from a few years ago. She was pretty bummed when she found out you could no longer buy her. Even though I couldn't get the actual girl I ended up ordering one that looks almost exactly like her which works out because she looks like Hayley too, and then I just ordered Grace's clothes off of Ebay.

She was pretty happy. We enjoyed Christmas morning and just lazed around. After lunch we got ready and headed for Okotoks to spend a couple of days with the Malacko family. We left this one behind though

She was heading to Salt Lake City with my in-laws for a week to visit her cousins. It was hard for me to let her go but I knew it would be the best adventure for her.

We made it to Okotoks first so this is H waiting patiently for her cousins to arrive

The forecast was not calling for snow so we were all kind of surprised at how much snow we got. None of us even packed our snow stuff. Luckily Grampa and Gramma had enough for some of the kids to borrow so they could get some sledding in

Matching owl onsies with her dolly

My Dad's creative way to give gifts

Micah loves blowing out the candle's

We had such a fun Christmas. Its always nice to get home and have a few days to relax before New Years. I hope everyone enjoyed lots of family, food, and fun. Merry Christmas!