December 25, 2009 - After breakfast and gift-opening, we went to Tamzen's for some more gift opening and a delicious Christmas dinner.

Too much excitement for Reese!

Tristan enjoying some Christmas cheer!

Tatum and Owen had too much excitement too!

2 cute cousins!

I didn't get any pictures of the most exciting part, so you'll have to use your imaginations! Thom and Teresa had a very fun and creative gift for all their kids and spouses this year. They played a game show of sorts - "Mystery Vacation", I think is what they called it. They had a stack of large envelopes that each contained certificates for vacations to different places! The idea was that each couple gets to go on their "mystery vacation" with Thom and Teresa, so we can each spend some time with them throughout the year. I think it's a wonderful idea! So anyway, our game played out a little like a White Elephant gift exchange. The first couple got to choose and envelope and open it. Then the people after them could choose one, or steal someone else's! By the end we had unwrapped certificates to Maine, Florida, California, Mexico, Chicago, and one more that I'm forgetting. Tristan and I got Orlando, Florida the weekend before Halloween for "Fright Night" at Universal Studios! Yay! We are very excited!

It was a very nice Christmas - and wonderful to spend time with family and friends!

Christmas morning 2010

December 25, 2010 - The kids were all snuggled up in their beds... until the sun showed signs of rising, and they jumped right back out again! Here are some pictures of the morning gift-wrapping frenzy:

Here is Becca with the telescope she requested from Santa,

Reesey with her new play kitchen,

Cameron with a Hot Wheels race track,

and Tristan with a new scooter.

Christmas Eve '09

December 24, 2009 - We ended up visiting both our families in town this Christmas Eve, instead of following the original plan. We were going to be spending the night of the 23rd in a cabin with my family, then skiing Christmas Eve Day, but we had some bad weather and decided to postpone the ski trip. So we went to my Mom's first for food and fun and a little Nativity put on by the kids, then on to Tamzen's house to attend the Gearhart family Christmas Eve talent show.

Becca and Hannah

We've all heard of Charlie's angels right? Well, this is Charlie, THE angel. (poor thing, he's too old to fight us off!)

Reese and I ready to "dig in"

Mom and Ryan

Here is our 2nd Nativity - I'm really hoping to be able to get smoe pictures of the first one from Ryan and Cheron. Reese was dressed as a sheep for that one, and was hilarious! Something made her mad and she crawled off to hide under the air-hockey table yelling "don't look at me!" We jocked that she was a lost sheep! This particular Nativity went a lot smoother, although Reese refused to be a part of it. Tristan is Joseph and Sally is Mary. Hannah and Kaya are angels. It was really cute.

Here is Becca portraying a shepherd being afraid at first as the angel appeared. (We had to put sheep ears on the tiger because, again, we lost our only sheep!)
My handsome husband and 2 cute boys

Anxiously awaiting the talent show!

Teresa's talent was a special family cheer. Watch out cheerleaders! This lady has talent!

Grandma and Grandpa Gearhart reading the kids "'Twas the Night Before Christmas".

Me and my swwetheart - don't ask about the bow, I was feeling festive, okay?!

G.P. and Alli - Thom somehow incorporated fire, a knife, and a dollar into his talent with at least 10 little kids within a foot of it all!(and amazingly, no one was stabbed or burned, but I'm not sure the dollar made it out alive!)

Becca, reaching into the money bowl.

A gingerbread party

December 17 , 2009 - Here we are at yet another fun preschool party. This time we made a gingerbread house. Well, Cameron and I did. Reese was pretty sure that we were crazy not to be eating all the yummy stuff on the table like she was!

Becca turns 8 - for real!

December 16, 2009 - It makes me feel very sad and a little bit crazy to realize I have an 8-year-old! I can't believe Becca has gotten so big! She has honestly been a huge blessing in my life - she was born an oldest child. Obviously! But I mean that she has always been one to go the extra mile to try and help me when I need it, and show her little brothers and sister how to do things. She has been doing all of that since she was almost 2! So it is always fun when we get to celebrate just her and make her "queen for a day".

This is my attempt at making a huge "8" on the wall - she loved it. It's kind of one of our family traditions to decorate the house after the birthday kid is in bed, so they wake up to a birthday house!

Becca, with her "8" cake.

Opening gifts

Mewwy Chwistmas fwom Weese!

December 13, 2009 - Who doesn't love a big cheesy grin from a cute 2-year-old in a Santa Claus dress?

Becca's 8th Birthday Party at Skate City

December 12, 2009 - It's really kind of fun to celebrate your daughter's birthday where you once had a birthday party as a kid. Becca decided she really wanted to have a party at skate city this year, and she had a lot of fun. She got her own pair of skates and enjoyed racing around the rink with her friends and family.