Christmas 2011 was a year to remember. I admit it wasn't the relaxing, fun filled Christmas full of great memories and the spiritual experiences. But I think when you have kids around, Christmas is always fun. To make a long story short we brought my mom back with us after Thanksgiving to stay for a while. It was a good experience for all of us, especially the kids, since she is getting older and her health isn't that great. But because of this she required a lot of assistance and constant watching which proved to be quite stressful and overwhelming. But we are still glad we did it because it will be a good memory for the kids. Because our small condo turned out not to be the best situation for her we took her back at Christmas time. We stayed at Jeff's parents house which is always fun for the kids. They can play in the huge basement and with all the cousins that come over. They loved being with their cousins and it's a great experience for them since some of them are older and are going on missions or have already returned. They have great family members to look up to. We also got to spend lots of time with my mom and sister. We did Christmas at my sisters house and that is always a fun time. Annie and Tatia have a great time and Jacob loves chasing her dog around the house.
It was nice to go to church on Sunday. We took my mom to her old ward so she could see people she knew. Then we had a fun night at the Sutherlands. The next few days were a blur as we moved my mom's stuff out of a storage unit and divided it up among many places. Then Annie fell out of the swing in my in-laws basement and broke her collar bone. After a trip to the ER, a sling and pain meds they say she will heal up fine.....as long as I can keep her from trying to use her arm, which she keeps trying to do...arghh! Then one by one 3 of our family got a bad stomach bug and were laid up in bed. Michael, then Jeff, then Christopher got it and we kept delaying our drive back to Colorado. Yikes!! We finally made it home late on New Years Eve....just in time to ring in the New Year. I hope 2012 will be less eventful....but I doubt it. :) Here is a picture run down of our Christmas. Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas. Happy belated New Year everyone!!
 |
| Making cookies with grandma |
 |
| Long days = dazed kids in front of a movie. |
 |
| writing notes to Santa |
 |
| Aunt Tatia spoils Annie |
 |
| Fun with cousins (Christopher's lips were super chapped. That's why they are so red) |
 |
| Poor little peanut with a broken collar bone. |