December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas

We had a busy day on Christmas, like many other people.
We started opening a couple remaining gifts at home and then we went to
Aunt Melissa's house to celebrate with the Van Wesep side of the family.

Allison cuddles with Papa before lunch.

Gabrielle opens her present with Aunt Melissa

Allison thanks Uncle Bob for her Christmas money

Sam says thank you too.
Uncle Bob was constantly asking which one was "Samuel Robert".
I think he really loves having a name sake.

After lunch with the Van Weseps, we headed over to my parents house to celebrate again
with the Hager side of the family. We had already done our big Christmas last weekend.
On Christmas day, we have a light supper and exchange the gifts that the cousins bought for
each other after drawing names.

Aiden absolutely LOVES Allison's braids.
He would grab them and just squeal with delight.

The girls showing Aiden how Grandma's bear works.

Opening presents....

....and saying thank you

Van Wesep Christmas

We like to spread out our gift opening for Christmas every year. We usually open one or two presents at a time and then the kids are given the opportunity to play for a while before we open any more. It helps Christmas feel like it lasts longer and at the same time doesn't seem like such a mad house.

This year, we really spread things out. We opened stocking on the 23rd. One or two presents Christmas Eve morning, one in the afternoon, one before bed, and then again Christmas morning.

I took a lot of pictures - but mostly video.
So - here are a few shots of the kids enjoying the holiday

Opening stockings

The tree - when the kids woke up on the 24th.

December 19, 2009
Hager Christmas

This year, Christmas was at Shawn and Erin's house. We did a breakfast themed, pajama party. Although, I was originally a little apprehensive about wearing my PJs all night, it turned out to be a wonderfully fun evening that was very relaxed and laid back - exactly what they wanted.

Apparently, Sam didn't like the new Elmo toy he got as much as I thought he would, because he kept taking Owen's jack hammer to his new friend.

Gabrielle's new doll

Allison's new doll

Apparently, Nicholas really liked opening this present.

This is one of those - "going to show up at the High School Graduation Party" pictures - that our kids will be embarressed about in the future. Tradition is that Grandma buys the kids new PJs for Christmas. Well, the minute they all had their's opened - they stripped right down to change their clothes.

Group Picture in their new jammies.

December 17, 2009
Christmas Parties

Nicholas' class combined their Christmas party with a good-bye party for their student teacher - Mr. Zeitlow.

Gabrielle opens her gift bag.

December 16, 2009
Playing with my new camera

I've been disappointed with my current camera for quite some time. If I could only begin to tell you the number of photos that I "just" missed because the camera would delay the shot OR the # of perfect pictures that turned out blurry.

While camping this past November, we spent a weekend with my friends/relatives Kevin and Lyn Peters. Lyn is a photographer and I talked to her a bit about cameras and decided that I would really like to move up to a digital slr camera. I did my research and my shopping and was able to get my new camera just in time for Christmas.

Here are a few of the pictures I took around the house the first day I got it.

This is what Paul gets when he gets home most nights.
Nothing like relaxing on the couch right?

December 16, 2009
Preschool Christmas Party

Allison was SOOOO, excited that Santa was coming to her class,
but once he got there she really didn't want anything to do with him.

Class picture

Snack Time

December 5, 2009
Finally some fun in the snow!

December 3, 2009
Christmas Card Picture Taking Time

I was getting anxious to get the kids pictures taken so I could get the Christmas card ordered. It usually takes me a while to address them all - so when day when the kids came home from school I had them put on their Sunday clothes and tried to get some pictures in front of the tree.
I won't show you the numerous pictures I took to arrive at these 4, but here are the best of the bunch.

Nicholas - age 7

Gabrielle - age 6

Allison -age 4

Sam - age 2 1/2

In addition, to getting the Christmas pictures done I was looking for a new graphic for this year's card. Everything I could find I just couldn't get to lay out the way I wanted it too. Then I got the idea that Gabrielle loves to draw - why not let her create the Christmas card that I had in mind. I gave her the size of the presents I wanted under the tree and she did the rest. I added a little text and the card was our own little creation.