Christmas 2008

Usually on Christmas every year we get together at my mom's house and have a HEAP of presents to open and then spend the rest of the day eating and chatting. This year, however, we decided to shake things up. We wanted to get away from the materialism so we went to Utah thinking we would escape the HEAP of presents. When my family caught wind of this, they decided to do their own Christmas with us before we left. So, here's what happened:

A few weeks before Christmas: Sister's with family come over and give us gifts

Next day: Uncle Steve takes kids on a shopping spree at Wal-mart

A few days later: Will's sister comes over with her family to give us gifts from her and her mother.

A couple days later: My mom has us over for dinner and gives MORE gifts to everyone

A few days after that: Will's dad drops off a PILE of presents for the kids (which we saved for when we came back from Utah to surprise the kids with MORE presents under the tree)

Utah: Santa comes to our hotel.

Utah: Santa shows up at our friends house with more gifts.

So much for getting away for the HEAP of presents. We successfully extended it for WEEKS instead of containing it to just one day. Well, the kids liked it anyway.


ANI HELPING

ARIEL HELPING

DANIEL WITH HIS STAR WARS ORNAMENT
ABI WITH HER BARBIE ORNAMENT
LIZ, SHAW, AND JAYDON MAKING GINERBREAD HOUSE
CAITLYN, ARIEL, AND ABI MAKING GINGERBREAD HOUSE
ARIEL AT MY MOM'S HOUSE
DANIELS MOST USED TOY TO DATE
OUR CHRISTMAS CARD PICTURE (after tons of unsuccessful self timer pictures)
OUR FAVORITE NEIGHBOR, JENICA WITH KIDS
AUNT CATHY AND COUSIN KEATON
DANIEL COMPARING FOOTBALLS
STACI WITH ABI
SALT LAKE TEMPLE (I think I did a pretty good job taking this one)
STOCKINGS AND LIGHTS FROM SANTA IN HOTEL
CHRISTMAS NIGHT WITH THE HUGHES'
CHRISTMAS MORNING AT THE GIBBONS
GATHERING AT THE GIBBONS
OUR LAST DAY IN SL WITH THE BROOKS
DANIEL WENT NUTS WITH THIS PUNCHING BAG
OUR LAST STOP IN ST. GEORGE WITH GRANDMA AND GRANDPA ENGEL AND AUNT KAREN.