Number 3: Visiting our Family

One of the best parts of Chirstmas is spending time with the family. We spent Christmas Eve with the Longmore Family. It was so nice we had everyone there. Adam and his family came in from St. Louis. We had dinner and played games. We exchanged gifts and just enjoyed being together. Of course this is the kids favorite part of the party. Luke had Odessa and Meg had Jessica. We got Jessica a Venus Fly Trap. I hope it doesn't bite.




On the Sunday before Christmas the Kajma side of the family came out to our house. We had fun with them there. Of course we missed not have Suzie and her family and Josh and his family there. We played bingo and had dinner. After the kid's all opened there new pj's from my mother.


For bingo mom put money in four small boxes. One box had a one dollar bill, one box had a five dollar bill, one box had a ten dollar bill and one box had a twenty dollar bill. I was the lucky one. I picket the box with the twenty.

Number 4: Presents

Lucas was so busy playing with his pirate

ship he couldn't take a moment to even

let me take his picture.

Megan was so happy with her Christmas.

She got everything she wanted.

Number 5: Christmas PJ's from Grandma

Every year my mother makes pj's for the kids.

It is so fun to have new pj's for Christmas.

Number 6: Seeing Santa

We saw made sure we got a chance with

Santa. Megan asked for a Bratz game by WII.

Lucas asked for the Dread Eye Phantom Pirate

Ship. They assured him they were being good.

Number 7: Mele Kalikimaka

We just couldn't stand the cold so we decide to spend a couple days in Hawaii. We went over to Oahu. We went over to Kailua. We love the beach over. It is never crowded. The kids love the beach. They thought they were in heaven. It was a windy day but they didn't care. I didn't care because it was 78 degrees.



That night we went 3D miniture golfing. It was pretty fun. Everything was in bright colors so that it was crazy. At first the kids would wear the glasses but later Lucas loved them. He want to look at everything instead of play the game.

On our last day we went up to the North Shore. We stopped at the Dole Plantation to pick up some pineapple. There we saw them cut a pineapple and they tell you what to do so you can grow your own. Maybe we will try.

We stopped at Haleiwa for the world famous snow cones. The line wasn't bad when we got there but when we were done it was out the door. The kids each had bubble gum flavored. Nick had Pina Colada and I had Strawberry Cream.

Nick and I tried the ultimate snow cone with beans and ice cream in the bottom. They put red Japanese Beans and vanilla ice cream in the bottom. It doesn't taste bad but it doesn't taste good either. I have decided I can do without the beans. I have figured the cream flavors are the best.

Our last day we spent at the North Shore. This is the calmest we have ever seen it. We were very suprised how small the waves were. The kids did not want to leave. Who would want to leave 80 degrees and go back to 30 degrees.

Number 8: Skating With Santa

We went Skating with Santa. It was so much fun of Course it was very cold. We had chilli, donuts and hot chocolate. The kids couldn't wait to go. They have been counting the days down until it was time. We also had Carter, Emily, Sammy, Uncle Richard, Aunt Lori and Grandma there. Grandma was afraid to skate she said she would definitly break a bone.



Nick and I took turns with the kids. Once Megan got comfortable she didn't want to use the railing. Lucas never wanted to use it. Since he is not exactly the tallest kid around it was breaking my back to hold him up.



Sammy jumped on the ice without even a look back. He couldn't wait to go and have fun with all his cousins.





Emily skated around like she was the next Olympic Gold Medalist. She was so good.

Carter was our trick skater. He won a hacky sack for the Hockey Pockey. Way to go!

By the end of the night we were all tired and ready to call it a night. We did make sure we all took a turn with Santa so he would know what to bring us for Christmas.

First Big Storm

We got our first snow of the year.

The kids couldn't wait to go outside and

play. Nick and I just want to be in Hawaii!

Our Christmas Ornaments

Nick's parents always give the

kids a Christmas Ornament on Thanksgiving.

This year the theme was a Nativity Scene.

They even gave the adults one this year.

Which we were very suprised with.

Nick's was a little different.

Let's just hope he doesn't try and

lick a frozen pole now!

Number 9 Decorating the Christmas Tree

Lucas couldn't decide which ornament to

put on first.

Meg just loved putting them on.

She didn't care which one she did.

Of course we had to wait for Nick

to get the lights on. Isn't that the

man's job.

Number 10 Gingerbread Houses (top 10 Christmas Favorites)

Every year we get together with the Longmore

side of the family and make gingerbread houses.

This is one of the things the kid's like the most.

Yeah Meg got her glasses. We have waited

a week and half for these.

She wasn't very excited but when we got to the

doctors office and saw they had Barbie brand

we couldn't resist the whisper Blue. I have never

seen a girl look so cute in glasses before!

Halloween

Lucas was Indiana Jones. He is the cutest

explorer I have ever seen.

Megan made the perfect Daphne.

Thanks to Lori who made the costume

nobody could compare with her.

We carved pumpkins before we went Trick or Treating.

This is one of the kids favorite things about

HALLOWEEN.

We went to the Cowboys game for our

16th Anniversary.

Sorry Nick! This is as close to the Dallas Cowboys

Cheerleaders you get to be.

Zoo

We loved the Zoo. Haley and Jonah are just so cute.

The kids had to sit on everything.

This was our first stop. We saw so many animals there

were to many to count.

Navoo

Here we are at Carthage Jail.

Lucas and I gave sawing wood a try at

the Nauvoo Pagent. They let us keep the

little piece of wood we were able to cut off.

One of Lucas's favorite things to see

was the Gunsmith Shop. He was very

excited to see how a gun was put together.

Here we are on the steps of the

Nauvoo Temple.



We got to go through the Tom Sawyer
Museum.



At Six Flags we saw lots of characters.
The Scooby Gang was our favorite.

We love Shaggy.

What man doesn't love Wonder Woman!

On our last day we went to The Arch in

St. Louis. It is called the Gateway to the West.