Mackedon

Christmas Morning

I don't know who is more excited Gib and I or the kids? Seriously, we can hardly stand it!

It's pure magic from the moment they enter the room on Christmas morning.

Air hockey was a big hit!

Fenn wanted Dr. Dreadful's Zombie Lab so bad. That is what he told Santa and anyone one else who asked. He was so happy when he opened it, he threw his arms around Gib!

She was thrilled with her American Girl Twin accessories, shocking I know!

Actually she was thrilled with everything. Every time she opened a present she went, "OH MY Gosh!" We actually got a few, "OH MY freaking Gosh" out of her!

Now, back to Dr. Dreadful. Right away Fenn wanted to try it out. Gib did a great job hamming it up, with scary voices and all. But Fenn wasn't too impressed . . .

In fact, the next day he said. I need to tell you something, "I don't really like Dr. Dreadful's Zombie Lab." I said, "I know buddy. Remember dad and I tried to tell you it wasn't that great. They make things look way cooler on T.V. then they are in real life." He was SHOCKED, "They do?" "Yeah, they do, and Dr. Zombie's is one of them." "Yeah, actually, I hate it. Give it to a little boy who doesn't have any toys." Lesson learned - hopefully!

And she is ready to go to Grandma's and Gaga's.

As you can see, I couldn't get those Hello Kitty boots off her when it was time for church. Oh well!

Christmas Eve

We started off at Jim and Terry's. Always a good time!

Then we headed to my mom's house. Isn't Almah cute!

It was sort of a sad year for us. It was the first time EVER we have not all been together for Christmas, and let me just say, I didn't like it. Nicole got a new job so she couldn't come home. Then Austen, Lynlee and Steve's baby, decided to arrive 6 weeks early, and was still in the NICU so they couldn't come. Talk about throwing a curve ball into your December! We (mom, Katie and I) had to hop in the car and make an emergency mad dash to Salt Lake. Gib stayed home with all the children which was amazing. We are happy to report that all is well with both Austen and Lynlee and in fact he got to come home earlier this week (January 3rd)!

Anyway, it was sad without everyone there, but we had our first ever ugly sweater party to distract us . . .

Cracks me up still!!! We wore these to Jim and Terry's and it was pretty funny to see people's reactions. They weren't sure what to say. Several folks said we looked like politicians!

These two were rocking entire outfits. Nathan won the $$$.

I'd like to say that Zack was rocking the cardinal sweater vest. And Rachel, well she rocked the sweater as well as the knit pants not only on Christmas eve, but throughout the entire winter break. She really took a liking to them!

The smokin hot men in our lives!

Priceless group shot!

Of course we did the cousin exchange and the sister exchange, but the highlight of the night was giving dad his new puppy. She had her own ugly sweater on. He named her Zoe and she is adorable.

Maupin Family Christmas

Maupin Family Christmas has become one of my favorite traditions of the holiday season. It's the only time of the year we get to see Michon's side of the family. This year we were small in numbers, but it was fun non the less!

Hazel wasn't too sure about being alone at the table with Eric. She refused to make eye contact.

The only sad thing is, these two were the only kids this year, so they took to gaga's bed to watch a movie. I told Gaga, people needed to start producing some cousins!

One of the highlights of the night was when Mayor Kenny, other city folks, and their families arrived on the fire truck to do a little caroling. We loved it!

The Grinch

It has become our tradition, that every year, as one of our advent calendar activites, we go look at Christmas lights and take our picture with the Grinch! This is the first year Fenn wasn't scared to death. The Jim Carey version of movie really made an impact on little Fenny this year. We were laying in bed one night when he said, "You know what makes me really sad?" I said,"What?" He proceeded to tell me about how the grinch had freckles and all the kids teased him and he started to hate Christmas. It literally made him so sad. I thought he was going to cry. We had a good long talk about how teasing people can really brake their hearts and turn them into mean people, so we should never tease other people.

Once again, Farmer's Insurance, really out did themselves. Way to go Hammonds!

First Signs of Christmas

Every year there are those traditions that tell us, "It's almost Christmas!" They are so exciting we can hardly stand it! The first of those is the advent calendar. To see all those little buckets filled with treasures, treats, and fun activities to do, is almost too much!

The next indicator of the season, is Elf on the Shelves return. This year, Orph, as he was promptly named when we adopted him last year, hid in some pretty funny places! On this particular night he got into the See's Candy, took a bite our of every single one and got chocolate all over his face! Not a morning went by where my kids weren't immediately on a search for him the minute their eyes popped open. This year we also were introduced to the Elf on the Shelf movie (Thank you O'Neill Family)! To say we loved it would be an understatement, it was, well . . . extravagansalorious!!!!

And of course, Fallon's annual tree lighting the first weekend of December really get's us in the holiday spirit. We get to sit on Santa's lap and count down with the mayor to light the beautiful tree!

We see friends, and family! We feel the spirit of Christmas! We love it!

First "Recital" of Sorts

This last semester Hazel took tumbling and dance. The dance class was 1/2 ballet, 1/2 tap. She loved every minute of it, especially the ballet. Mr. Jeff is magical with those little people, she was particularly fond of when lifted them up and twirled them around like real ballerinas. They had "recital" in an effort to prepare them for this spring, when they perform at the annual studio recital, on stage, at the high school.