Christmas in Idaho

No trip to Idaho is complete without visiting as many friends and family as possible along the way.  So that's where this story starts.  First, a visit at the Atlanta airport from our diehard friends Tiff & Tommy and family.  I have to laugh looking at this picture, because in each one that I have of us over the years, there are more and more kids every time.  Congrats on the new little one, baby Marshall.  What a cutie!

 Then, post stop off in Texas, after the long wintery drive thru Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado, a stop to see our sweet Grandma Gracie in Utah.

There was a MAJOR snow storm in Utah, which really messed up the cousin party I planned at Gary and Sheereen's.  But true to form, once those Stefan's saw that I made the drive up, they all came out of the wood work to sit and visit with us.  Never a dull moment at that house for sure.
Then, post Merilee and Kennedy wedding (which I'll have to post about later), here we have IDAHO!   Here are some cousins warming themselves by the fire.  We are all so glad that they're old enough to hang out in the basement without the risk of getting scorched.

 Bedtime stories with Aunt Ansley became a nightly tradition...

 Here's our Christmas Sunday photo shoot.  I tried to coordinate the girls outfits this year instead of going straight matchy-matchy as usual, but all (and I mean ALL) of my Christmas shopping was done online, so I had no idea what I would really be getting until I opened up all the boxes.  Luckily, they looked adorable as usual.  But I'm a little biased, as they say.

 More stories with Aunt Annie.  Like how the super pregger mom with the littlest kids had the most patience and energy to read with all these kiddos?  She's going for Aunt of the Year I think.

 Uncle Ry with baby Ledger... not such a baby anymore.

 Our obligatory trip to Rexburg, where catching snowflakes on one's tongue is a daily occurrence.

They are SO growing up saying, "Remember when Mom and Dad used to drag us to their old college every few years and show us where they met and where they used to hang out?  That was lame."

A quick stop at Sonic for happy hour slushies, and it's back to Grandma's for cookie decorating.

E

K

A

Boyzzz

Love that Grandma

We picked up several Christmas puzzles at Barnes&Noble when we were out and about shopping.  And so the addiction of the season began...  

Christmas morning

I just can't get enough of these 4 sweeties.  They are so easy to please.  They only got a few gifts each, since we have to haul it all back, but they were thrilled as ever.  Watching them makes Christmas so much fun!

Aves with her Barbie pool and swim Barbie

Elle with her new pink Barbie car

Carv with his new Superman station to add to his Batcave.

K with her Barbie sleepover set.  I am SO happy that she still gets into the spirit of Christmas and likes to play with all kinds of toys.  A lot of her friends at school are very particular about which toys they will play with, but she still just loves playing with anything and everything.  I love that she feels no pressure to grow up too quickly.

That about sums it up.  Christmas was as joyous and magical as ever.  It doesn't hurt that we got to spend it in Idaho surrounded by beautiful snow and a loving family.