Christmastime!

It was fun to have Lindsey's new hubby, Reid, around for his first holiday with us!

Luke was thrilled to have someone who could get him started on the guitar he got from Grandpa Chris and Nana B years ago!

Luke was REALLY into Prancer, the cat, this trip. Even more than usual. Every day he was offering to feed him, playing with / petting him - and INSISTED on buying him a Christmas present. Yummy cat treats and a toy! It was so sweet. (Christmas kitty loves to hang out under the tree!)

Making the best sugar cookies around with Aunt Lindsey

aka: El Scorcho!

A sample of Miles' cookies

A sample of Luke's

The finale of our traditional Christmas Eve program - singing carols. 

We were all really into it this year . . . apparently.

(except Dad, who was trying to hide? ha!)

We took several videos Christmas morning, but only one photo. 

Fail. 

Oh well. Here's where the stockings were unloaded.

Everyone was fascinated by the gift Grandma Lizzy sent the boys - a REAL microscope that hooks into your computer. We checked out everything from fibers in our clothes to dirt to (sadly) looking up a nose. GROSS!

Legos were the hit of Christmas for Luke! Good thing he got plenty of them! :)

I guess the boys convinced Sierra to help hold down their new uncle so they could tickle attack him! 

Making gingerbread houses with Lola - a great tradition!

Here is Miles' completed house.

and Luke's.

Luckily the boys got time with their best buddies in Georgia:

Cayson

and Gavin!

New Year's Eve day, the whole family went to the church gym for a little basketball game!

It was a great time!

Other fun highlights of the trip:

• Seeing the movie Les Miserables
• Out to dinner/date night with our friends, The Neilsons
• Hanging out/playing games with The Campbells
• We all got to talk to my brother, Michael, on his mission in the Phillipines!
• Eating at Cazadores (!!!!!) TWICE (I'm a pregnant woman in need of serious Mexican food)
• Eating at Mirko - yum, yum pasta
• Staying up late to play games with the family - almost every night
• Making our first-ever family MUSIC VIDEO to Stevie Ray Vaughn's "House is a Rockin"
• Trading in our tiny Subaru Forester for a sweet Toyota Sienna! Woo! 

We drove back to Philly New Year's Day - and I have to say -  we ALL really enjoyed the 16 hour trip SO MUCH MORE in our spacious, clean minivan! Yay!