The irony of this month behind post is that I’ve been looking at other friends blogs, some of whom have not posted in about a month and I find myself being disappointed. I’ve thought about posting something like, “It’s been a whole month! I’m missing your posts!!!” So, now here I find myself posting all the news and pictures from the past month at least and having a good laugh at myself!!!! =)
Our usual Christmas baking was a little later than usual this year, but I was determined we’d get it done anyways. Not because we “had” to, but because it’s a tradition I’ve had since I was a little girl with my family and it’s something we’ve continued with our own little family. The kids always look forward to it and this year, though a little crazier, was no different. Kevin helped me with the chocolate haystack cookies and Tasha was a great helper with the gingerbread house. Both kids helped decorate the gingerbread cookies; though Kevin needed a little guidance so that his cookies stopped looking like an already eaten cookie 😉
Here’s Kevin stirring the melting chocolate, in typical Kevin style.
A little sweeter…
Even Annika got in on the action. She loved wearing Tasha’s apron. She’s our dress-up girl. (Tasha thinks Annika is her dress-up doll too…we often find Annika in baby doll clothes instead of the clothes I dressed her in that morning)
A very serious decorator
The supervisor and chief decorator
What a boy!
Cute and crazy, that’s the way we like ’em!
The masterpiece
Starting last year, we began acting out the Nativity for our family home evening night, the Monday before Christmas. Tasha and Kevin have looked forward to it all year and were very excited to have the chance to reprise their roles again. Tasha was Mary, of course, Kevin was Joseph, Mommy was supposed to be the angel, but got a phone call during her part, so Annika took over. Daddy was the narrator.
This pictures makes my heart all squishy! I LOVE the joy on their faces and Tasha’s perfect sweet, innocent expression.
Mom and Wayne came down to join us for Christmas in Littleton with the Mannings and Narayans. We had planned to leave on the 23rd, but on the afternoon of the 22nd, we heard of a big, nasty storm coming through and decided to leave asap. It was a little harried trying to get everything ready in record time. We still ran into some not fun driving conditions, adding into the equation me having hack attacks while driving and consequently having to stop and pee twice on the 2 hour drive from drinking so much water! Ammon had it worse though. The car he was driving had a windshield washer fluid problem and thus, he had a 6 inch radius to see out of. I wondered why I had some guy tailgating me the whole way down. I found out it was Ammon! We got to the Mannings safe and sound and had a wonderful, but chaotic Christmas. (It’s hard to avoid the chaotic with that many people under one roof)
On Christmas Eve day, the kids spent some quality time with their Papa making a gingerbread house.
The gang getting started
Look at all those proud faces!
Mom and I made our chocolate truffles that have taken a two or three year hiatus. We decided to resurrect the tradition.
Me and my Mommy making truffles
And making faces!
On Christmas Eve, we acted out the Nativity with all the cousins…well except Annika who was running around and Kevin who didn’t want to be a part of it. (he was so tired that he asked to go to bed!) 
Tasha got to be Mary again, much to her delight!
Me and Pushpa enjoying the food
On Christmas Eve, we always open the sibling presents (we draw rotate families). Here are the kids, anxiously awaiting their present…
Tasha and Lika
I wish I could’ve caught Tasha’s first expression when she opened this Hannah Montana doll. She had a grin from ear to ear! She hasn’t stopped playing with it since!
Papa and Annika on Christmas Eve…couldn’t get her to smile, but she was happy before I took the picture!
She loved this bunny of Grandma’s and hugged and carried it all over the place
I wish this pic was more in focus…she was loving being thrown up in the air!
Christmas day was fun and exciting, as always. Tasha and I were up first in our family. We opened our stockings and waited for Kevin and Daddy and Annika to be awake. Everyone had a full stocking this year and enjoyed lots of fun things. We had mini-quiches, a breakfast casserole and toasted croissants and strawberry jam. YUM! I loved watching the kids see what Santa brought them and watching them open their presents. There’s nothing better!
Grandpa Wayne opening his stocking, much to his delight!
Cute pic of the newlyweds on Christmas morn
What Santa brought the big kids…I forgot to get a pic of what Santa brought Annika
Opening presents
Iron Man Kevin
Snuggles with Daddy after he opened their present to him (different kinds of popcorn)
Annika’s present to Tasha
Enjoying her book
Annika opening one
The girls got matching dresses from Grandma and Papa Manning and Annika couldn’t wait to get hers on. She grabbed it and tried to put it over her head.
Annika opening another present from Grandma and Papa Manning
She was delighted to find a pink princess rocking horse
She climbed on before it was even out of the box. Too bad I didn’t catch the smiling on camera
Pretty Tasha-girl in her Christmas outfit
The kids made cupcakes for Jesus and sang to him, but because I didn’t get the blowing out of the candles on time, we had to keep lighting them. The kids kept blowing them out as soon as they were lit, which resulted in 5 or 6 times blowing them out! They thought it was hilarious!
The Sunday after Christmas, the girls wore their matching dresses to church. Annika was quite happy to pose for a picture with Tasha and even said “Cheeeeese”
Another keeper
Kevin had to get in on the camera action…what a ham!
Better pic than the one above? Jury’s still out…
