Christmas 2009 Episode 3: The Final Party

Christmas came. You probably already knew that though because it happened at your house too. You saw all the pre-game festivities so now it's time to see the main event. In a nutshell, the girls were spoiled. All 3 of them. It's fun to spoil them because they are worth it. We always open socks first. That's the way I have always done it and that's how most people do it, I think, not that there is a rule or anything, unless there is an ultra secret Christmas sock task force that enforces this practice. Lonna got a funny shaped package and Alyssa thought she could guess what it was, she was wrong it was a can of almonds.
We don't usually have to raise our hands in order to open presents, she was shooting a paper basket ball, coach said to stay in shape during the holidays, I guess this counts. It went in, of course.
Looks like a very musical Christmas. I think we have enough guitars for every one of us.
For the last few days Alyssa and Kelsie have been playing Beatles songs. I think most of my dreams have a Beatles soundtrack along with a faint tap tap tap. Ever since the cruise, Alyssa has been in "like" with the music of the Beatles. Like because Love seemed like a strong word for it.
She loves this movie. I think it's all because of the hello kitty band-aid scene. My personal favorite is when he slides behind the kiosk but only makes it half way there. Or maybe the time he tried to break through the glass doors, it's a toss up.
That's it for Christmas day, now on to the big Christensen family Christmas/ G-pop Birthday bash. Now look at this picture. Notice anything weird? Nice comfy chairs, cushy couch. Looks inviting huh? Would you believe this house now has about 20 people in it? No really. I only show this to prove a point. Not that I really have to prove it to anyone in my family, we all know it's true so this is for all you faithful readers not born in the Christensen Clan. (sounds kinda pompous huh? I just couldn't think of another way to say it. I literally sat here for 3 minutes racking my brain but that's the best I could come up with, kinda pathetic if you ask me, that's why I am a Nurse and not an English major, Steve would have come up with something way better) When we get together as a family this is not the place we congregate. So where do we gather? Let's take a walk.
Here's the kitchen, notice G-pop and G-ma busy getting the food ready. So where is everyone else?
Here they are crammed around the counter and table... standing. When Great G-ma was alive she would get a little miffed at us because when everyone was together we would stand around the counter and talk. She hated to be the only one in the living room sitting on a comfy chair and miss out on the conversation.
More milling around waiting for dinner to start. Sherry taking pictures with her new bigger camera.
This is Corbin, Sherry's grandson. She took a lot of pictures of him. She will probably copy this one off the blog, that's o.k. He is a cute kid. Even when he is stealing a potato chip.
This could only mean one thing. This is the "Thanks for coming, eat the food, eat it all, have fun, then go home, later, not now but later, after eating all the food, right after the prayer" pep talk.
Some of the kids got smart and took up the cushy seats. They lost them after the prayer and the food was officially declared open to eat.
Looks like we are still waiting to eat, sorry for jumping the gun. Meanwhile this is Ashley, patiently waiting.
Steve and Lia are also patiently waiting.
Woo hoo, Dinner! Buffet style. This is the only way to feed everyone. Much more relaxed, informal, casual, I would go on but can't think of any more.
After dinner, and some entertainment from Corbin, we had a small gift exchange for the kids. I thought we would do the Left/Right game but we did the pick a number and open a gift game instead. The one where the next person can steal the gift you just opened and you would have to open another one. I think all the kids stuck with the present they brought or the one they happened to open for fear of being labeled as a "stealer of presents". Berrett did steal TJ's $5 and Mr. Goodbar near the end though, smart move Berrett, always go for the money. Kelsie was excited to get a yo-yo that automatically goes back up to your hand without any special effort.



After the gift exchange Sherry pulled out another game for the kids to play. A dice game where everyone starts out with 3 pieces of candy. Each person rolls the dice and slowly gives their candy either away to the person on the left or right or to the middle until all the candy is in the middle except for that last person with one piece left and they win all the candy. Sounds like watered down gambling to me. Anywho, for all those that missed the party, you were missed. A big thanks to Steve and Kelli for the present, the kids are excited to play the game. This is it for the blog. You will just have to wait until next year for any more info. Don't cry, it's only a few days away.

Christmas 2009 Episode 2: Dad makes a fool of himself

Everyone knows that Christmas is all about traditions. Traditions and a fat guy bringing presents. Since this is Christmas eve we will stick with traditions. We started a new one last year,and since we did it again this year I guess we can call it a tradition and I'm sure we will have to do it for a few more years to come. First up is decorating gingerbread houses. Sherry gave the kids one to do last year and for the last month Kelsie has been wanting us to get another one for this year.

We gave in and actually got 2 houses this year. This way they wont have to share a house and can work at their own pace.

It takes a steady hand to get the walls just right.

Alyssa wanted to make sure you saw the detail she was putting into the tree this year.

Kelsie finished hers first. She thought that Santa would appreciate a runway for easier landing and taking off to ensure that no presents were broken.

Notice the detail Kelsie put into the soccer net. The kid is artistic.

I feel like I should let you guess what this is in the back of Alyssa's house. Also a very artistic kid. She thought the front was boring but was really proud of the candy cane roof and the back here. So go ahead, give me your best guess.

Last year we couldn't get a pizza from Papa Murphy's so we had fondue instead. Being the sticklers we are for traditions we did it again. Here's the setup. Well, kinda.

Getting crowded in there.

There are a lot of people who open a present the night before. We started doing this also.

Alyssa likes belts. I mean REALLY likes belts. They have to be special and/or cool to be worthy enough to be considered for the official collection.

She is actually really excited over this belt, this is her just trying to copy one of the faces.

Kelsie had some excitement opening this one from her sister.

After finally getting the paper off and then struggling with the tape, she was face with the dreaded packing peanuts. Yes, Alyssa likes to torment her little sister sometimes.

Inside she was rewarded with something she really likes, a cow. A cow bank to be precise. I think the complete cow collection is up to almost 20 now.

I though we were done after the kids but they made us open the gifts from them. Look at me! I look bored, drunk and ungrateful. I thought I was just doing my normal face. Since my normal face is apparently drunk I worked on a few expressions.

How's this?

Or this?

Or maybe this one? I kinda like this one. Ans as you can see they like to get me books, I like books... no really I do.

Look at mom. Come on Mom you can do better than that.

That's more like it! I think we should pose like this all the time.

After presents we play a game. Usually a new game. We found "What would you do?" at Barnes and Noble and decided to give it a try. You are given either/or questions and everyone votes on what would be the best choice. Sometimes you are given challenges. I had the fist challenge, it had me on my hands and knees with my but to the group while I shook my but to the beat of a song for 30 seconds. In this day and age of cell phones with cameras, thankfully none of the others thought to use it during this time so you will just have to use your imagination. Kelsie had to do the winning challenge, drink from a glass like a cat. Not too hard but by this time we were all tired. Hope your traditions went as well as our did.

Christmas 2009 episode 1: The Wrath of Santa

Sunday was the annual Christmas party at Larry and Carole's. This is our first sighting of Santa as he brings the kids a "teaser" gift to get them ready for the main event. It's also a good opportunity for the parents to see what kind of mood Santa is in so they can decide what quality of cookies to set out. He might get chocolate chip.After dinner (one of the largest sandwiches I have ever seen. I thought a six foot sandwich would fall short of feeding all of us, didn't realize it was also six inches tall) came time for everyone to get their cameras ready, or cell phones if you are a teen because it's just nerdy to carry a camera too.
Can you just feel the excitement in the air? I didn't think Santa did either, he had to walk back out the door and make us sing a better song before he would agree to give out gifts.
There he is with Mrs. Clause. Notice he makes her carry the bag full of toys. Way to go Santa! You are my hero. (Yes I know how much trouble this last line will get me into. Gotta be a rebel once in a while.)
Remember Shin from the Thanksgiving post? Sure you do. This would be Shin's first American Christmas, it would prove to be just as weird as Thanksgiving.
As fate would have it, he was the first to get to sit on Santa's lap. I don't know about you guys but he looks like he's a little worried about this strange fat guy with the funny beard. Shin quickly got the hang of the whole thing and asked for a T.V. and a truck.
Devin asked for the usual boy stuff like worms, frogs and a G.I Joe. I may have heard it wrong though so don't take my word for it.
Kelsie ended up asking for the usual things. Umm's. Santa is still not clear what an "umm" is but has promised to bring Kelsie one in every color.
I'm pretty sure that's not an "umm".
Alyssa will kill me for this picture. I like it. I forget what was so funny, she will remind me later after she gets over the picture. If she gets over it.

Alyssa was ready for her turn on Santa's lap this year. Last year she asked for new knees that worked properly. Although they are good enough to play basketball, when wrapped in braces, they are not by any means normal. She added to her list a new shoulder this year thanks in part to a mean Bingham player on Saturday.
Kenzi asking for something girly, like flowers or something like that.
Brandi, aka "Brat" as Santa likes to call her, is in the middle of explaining how she was only responsible for 2 wrecks, the other 12 were not her fault.
Now for the big present opening. All the kids had to wait until all the presents were handed out this year, mean huh? Sounds like something I would do.
Rae Anne. This is proof that it is not just you, she does this to me too, I can make her regret it by posting it on the blog. He he he
This kid gets more and more perplexing. Drawing a pumpkin with a big eye in the middle and a huge skull? And now she's excited about a stuffed shark?
If you have been paying attention you probably have seen a few SFSSS's. (Spanish Fork School Spirit Scarfs) Kelsie is proudly displaying her scarf with pride.
After Santa leaves, the kids get presents from G-pa and G-ma. First they have to sit through the left/right game. When they opened the boxes they all got coal. No, I don't think Shin understood the meaning.
Alyssa explaining how cool her game is to Kenzie.
Kelsie was excited for Lego Rock Band. Good thing they took their DS's with them.
Give a kid a game and what do they do? Duh, they play it. At least it keeps them quiet for a while. So what do you do when it's quiet and the party winds down?
Take artsy fartsy pictures of the tree, that's what.