I can't believe I'm blogging about Christmas and Elley's birthday is still a week away...meaning, I'm ahead of schedule! I have so many pictures, not just from Christmas, but from the whole month of December. Instead of doing 10 different blog post, here it is all in one. I will have to warn you, if you choose to keep reading, you will have to endure lots and lots of pictures. So grab a drink, and a snack and enjoy our month of December!
I know I already posted a picture of our tree, but heres another one. I think our tree was really pretty this year. We always get a real one and love it. I grew up going and picking out a real Christmas tree and I want my girls to experience that too.
Adam's Mom and Grandpa every year bought Adam and his siblings a new ornament. I am so thankful for that. We have a tree full of ornaments that come with a story and so much meaning. Grandma & Grandpa Arnold and Aunt Maggie & Uncle Fernando even now continue this tradition with our kids.
Elley is such a big girl going to preschool. She loves her class, she loves her teacher, and she loves learning. For Christmas, the preschoolers put on a Christmas program for their family and friends.
It was so cute to go and listen to the class sing the songs they had practiced for us. Elley was a little shy at first but her teacher came and took her to the stage and she did great. Elley invited a few friends and we are so thankful for their support. Hunter, Wyatt, Carter, and Hailey are pictured above, along with Brooklyn, a classmate, and her teacher Miss Michelle. And we won't forget Val and Sheila, Jill, and Brittney who also came. Thanks guys for all the love and support.
This is a picture of the gingerbread house Elley's class made. Pretty Cute!!!
A few days before Christmas we had a Hudson Christmas party here. My amazing sister put the whole thing together. Food, gifts, and games...but more importantly, GOOD COMPANY! The whole family, minus a few
(SAD!) was able to all be here to celebrate together. Here are a few pictures from that fun, fun weekend.
Shayla putting together a nativity my dad and Judy sent from South Africa. Louden being as cute as ever. And Uncle Shaune loving on Miss Molly.
Here are the crazy pictures of all the grandkids.
Here are good pictures. Notice in the first picture Addison is looking up and in the second picture she is crying and everyone is looking at her.
And here is the best one. Oh my gosh...these kids are cute!!!
Me and my sister. I love her so much! I wish we lived closer to each other. She really is an amazing person, I'm thankful we get to be sisters!
All of the siblings. Me, Kerilynn, Craig, Mark, and Shaune
My niece Shayla and my niece Brielle....LOVE THEM!!!
We had a family gift exchange. Here is a picture of all the little kids opening their gifts. It was cute to see them give the gifts they got for each other. The adults and older grandkids played a $5.00 white elephant gift exchange. I ended up with gum and candy and Adam got a 6 pound bag of gummy bears.
One of the countless games of Ticket to Ride. Jordan, Mark, Kerilynn and Me.
This Hudson reunion/Christmas celebration went on for 3 days. 3 days of playing, food, games, sleep overs, and staying up way too late.
These 4 girls are such good friends. I hope they stay good friends as they grow up. This picture was the last night we were all together. Briley, Molly, Elley and Macey.
Like I said....it was 3 days of playing and staying up WAY to late. Saturday afternoon, after everyone had gone home, Elley and Addison were already asleep. Molly was trying to hang in there and asked me to do that puzzle with her. I was finishing up a phone call and walked over to play with her. This is what I found, right in the middle of our kitchen floor. And yes, she is sleeping on a giant stuffed animal.
A few days later our real Christmas rolled around. Daddy had to work so we waited until 7:30pm to open gifts. The girls did better than I had planned. They were excited that Santa had come but knew we had to wait for daddy. I LOVED having Christmas on a Sunday this year. I loved waking up and going to church remembering why we celebrate Christmas.
I didn't take a ton of pictures. Between video, and pictures and just wanting to enjoy the moment, these are the few I got. The girls were pretty excited about getting a robe, and slippers, and a pillow pet. This is what they asked for.
The next morning at 5AM, we made the 7 hour trip to Washington to be with Adam's side of the family. What a long drive but so worth it. I LOVE MY IN-LAWS!!!
The girls have this thing with Aunt Maggie...they want her to have a baby! Her and Fernando got married last summer and they are waiting patiently for baby cousins. They don't understand what they are waiting for. I mean come on.....you get married and you have babies, what's so hard about that?
Maggie is such a good sport shoving dolls into her shirts probably more than she wants. And she has to keep them in there until Molly and Elley (mostly elley) tell her it's time to have the baby. These pictures make me smile...Maggie, we love you!!!
Oh yeah, she's having a snow baby too!!!
Looks like labor is here. You push that snow baby out Maggie!
I just can't get enough of this girl!!!
Or this girl!!! How did I get so lucky?
Sophie, Elley, and Molly trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues.
Trying to keep gloves on....I almost got the duck tape out. Good thing these girls have such good aunts and uncles who watch out for them!
I LOVE this little moment they are having. I love the way Molly is looking at Maggie.
The snowman! I never got around to taking a picture of the finished product...sad!!!
We were lucky enough to meet Andrew's girlfriend Denise. We love her!
We started a new tradition this year. We did an Arnold 5k. Actually we did it 3 times. We are awesome! And yes, it was in the snow, and it was freezing! The first day was the five of us. The next time Andrew and Fernando dropped out but we added Shelli. And the last time it was just me, Maggie and Adam.
Opening gifts. Pat made Andrew that beautiful blanket. The girls got spoiled and we did too!
And whats a trip to Leavenworth without a stop to Munchen Haus for a bratwurst? YUMMY!!!
And here we are celebrating daddy's birthday at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It sure is special to celebrate with so many people we love!
Happy 29th birthday to Daddy!
Sophie and Elley can't get enough of each other! We are still really sad that they moved away!
Addison and her cousin Jordan.
And just for fun I took some pictures in the snow around my in laws house. The snow is just beautiful and the pictures don't do it justice.
On the last day we were there, Pat's sister came out with her kids and grandkids. It was so fun to see them and spend the day catching up and watching the kids play
Jack and Elley
Jack and Henry
Elley and Jack sleding
Molly trying to snowboard
Just playing around
Happy Birthday to Betsy! Thanks for letting us celebrate with you!
Phew....have you had enough? I have! We also took family pictures at with the Arnold's, so stayed tuned!
I just want to say how thankful I am for the wonderful families both Adam and I have been blessed with. We enjoy them, we love them, and we're thankful they love us...we think! :) Merry Christmas...until next year!!!
