It's Beginning to Look Like A LOT of Christmas...

Is this my third Christmas post? Dearest family - it is for you :)

After opening gifts, eating breakfast, getting ready, and possibly taking naps on Christmas morning we always go to my Grandma & Grandpa Wood's house for brunch. It is a great time to be with the whole extended family. Then, the past few years we have gone to a movie in the evening. We were nervous about going to Les Miserables with Molly and decided not to go. Luckily Jack and my parents decided they'd rather not go so we all went back to the house and played games, sat by the fire, and when everyone got home we watched a movie together. 

Here are some pictures of Molly in her Christmas outfit. Isn't that awesome?!

On the 26th we headed to Burley for a week of fun with the Wardles. The whole family got to be together for a few days, including New Years'. As usual there was lots of food, lots of games, lots of kids playing Wii and watching movies, lots of sleeping in, and lots of fun catching up. Molly got held almost all the time and loved showing off her new skill...

SMILING!

Isn't she adorable. We sure think so.

Bret (and a bunch of the family) was hooked on this maze-ball thing. You have to guide a small metal ball through this really intricate maze. I got stuck at the same place every time and didn't have the patience to keep trying, but Bret beat the whole thing. 

This is Molly in the tutu that her aunt Zenna made for her. Cute! 

Jay and Millie's 40th anniversary was on the 29th and all the siblings had been planning a big surprise (we were a little out of the loop for the planning, but loved seeing it come together). They have a big, empty white wall next to the stair case that was just crying out for some love, so...

Kristi found the awesome clock. Marisa made the flower thing out of toilet paper rolls. Zenna and Kurt built the big black frame and edited the temple picture to have Jay and Millie's marriage date in the corner. Karina and Craig built the shelf. Rachel cut and painted the "W"and made blocks that spelled "family" (not pictured) that hang from the hooks on the shelf. And I'm sure others were involved in ways I don't know about. All we did was cheerlead :) but we're so happy that we could be there to see it all come together. Jay and Millie were really touched and I know they'll love it.

And finally, on New Year's day I took pictures of all the grandkids playing with balloons. Why? Good question. I'm not exactly sure, but it turned out really fun.