the days after Christmas

The day after Christmas we went up to Grammy and Pop's house to have Christmas with them and the boys.
Here's a picture of "make them be quiet with a movie" time :)




Here's how Angie tried to kill us all with all her amazing Christmas treats, cookies, candies, pretty much anything you can think of that's covered in chocolate.



The boys got remote controlled cars from their Starr grandparents, which were of course a big hit. Miah said the cars were "not for babies and not for sharing" however he did share his with Xander after a while. Then Xander and Isaiah hid under the table playing with them, I think they were hiding from the aforementioned babies.



I dont' remember what Isaiah was telling me, but he's looking like Uncle Lou.


Kaleb in his "Choo choo Tom" costume from his wonderful Auntie Vera :)






The next day Papa was back to work and the kids had a free day. They spend all day playing with their Christmas toys, which I took as a very good sign that the toy choices were a hit.

I got Xander these blocks not really knowing if they'd be good or not but he LOVES them. He and Ari played with them all morning and then for a few hours after lunch too.



This doll of Ari's became the prisoner. Ari was right in on it too, suggesting ways to capture her, so she wasn't upset about it. It started with her being tied up, because she was a little to large to fit into the prison they built (there are little green army men inside though)


Eventually her ties needed to be a little stronger.


Ari didn't do much block building, but she was there for moral support. She Cheered Xander on and made suggestions. From time to time she would bring something else over to play with while she sat at the table next to Xander.
We got her these lacing cards, really for school, but I figured we'd wrap them up. She played with them a lot though!


After hours and hours of blocks they moved on to Kole's cars and mat, Kole played from time to time, but his role was really more destruction than anything else.


Eventually they went to costumes.



You may have noticed the lack of big girls in any of those pictures. That's because they spent the whole day playing in their room! They went back and forth between their sweet new doll house and other toys they had taken up with them.
It was a good day for playing!

a Very Costumed Christmas

Well, first we'll start with Jesus birthday cake. Just one tradition we've adapted to keep our focus during Christmas.
This year Jesus' birthday cake was shaped like a Christmas Tree, kind of...

It wasn't the best, but it worked out. Xander really wanted to leave some out for Jesus that night, just in case he wanted to stop by for a piece. I thought it was pretty funny since he doesn't know anything about leaving cookies out for Santa, he just thought Jesus might enjoy a bite of his cake.




This year Grammy and the big kids hiked all over the yard cutting and collecting natural elements with which to decorate the house for Christmas. (with Faron there to carry the bounty). They gathered some nice stuff and made a lovely display around the fire place.






Christmas morning, stocking time!



Xander's first costume of the day, new cowboy hat, boots and kerchief. He's also sporting his Christmas Eve PJ's, which had transformed him into a lovely green army man.


but, he quickly had to change into king Peter in order to use his awesome new swords.


Kole's first costume of the day...Darth Vader



Ari, wearing her "Asian Princess" costume. Though Ari opened many more costumes, she chose to keep this one on all day, why mess with a beautiful outfit. She is actually quite excited about her new princess baby doll, though you can't tell by the look on her face.



Ohp, gotta change again, it's Obi-Wan Kanobi time, look out behind you Obi-wan...


Sophia in her lovely cape


Kole changed into Captain America when you weren't looking



Ari has a little play time with Max and the Grinch


The kids weren't the only ones to get costumes, Faron got a ninja costume, and Xander already had Ninja, so he had to go change so the could be ninjas together, and open presents ninja style.


Then the ninja and Spider Man opened some gifts. Faron's awesome 7 seasons of Star Trek Deep Space 9. Oh yeah!


Asian Princess, wearing a Spider Man Yamaka, playing the violin.

Grammy gets Spidered



The 3 girls opened their big present to all of them from Grammy and Pop and Auntie Anna and Uncle Nathan. An awesome doll house, which was then played with for a good long time.






Why yes, that is Woody from Toy Story there.


A lovely Christmas indeed.

Christmas Pictures.

Well we did it, we took the Christmas pictures. The photo stuff was already up, so we did it. I didn't send out Christmas cards, just can't make myself want to, I'll send something when the baby's born, but until then, you can see some of our pics.






This is the "Koley, kiss Xander" series.