Christmas Cheer: Part 3

This is the blog post where I will try to cram everything else in that we did to celebrate this magnificent Christmas season...along with a lot of pictures.

We tagged along with my mom and brother when they went to go get a real Christmas tree. Even though we have a fake tree, I still love the tradition of going to cut our own down. It was really cold and we weren't there for long but it was still a great memory!

Give this boy a stick and he'll love you forever!

For Family Night we decided to make snowflakes to add to our festive decor. We made a whole bunch! 

After making the snowflakes I remembered doing this same thing at my Grandma's house and decorating the playroom. She told me that it would always snow the next day.....and look what happened this time!

It wasn't much snow, and it melted by noon but it was enough to play a bit and make a weak little snowman!

Charlie pushed the snowman over...that Bully!

Then came one of our favorite family Christmas traditions. The progressive eating day...on the bus.
Every year, all of our family on my mom's side gets together and we ride a bus (driven by my mom) around to each family members house where we eat a food and have an activity.It's an all day event and it was extra special this year because almost everybody was in town. My wonderful cousin Kim and her husband even came from Maryland.

Even though this was an all day affair, I'm glad Charlie found the bus soothing and took a nap in my arms.
 

This year we also stopped by the cemetary where my aunt is buried, she passed away earlier this year at the age of 44. Max and I missed the funeral because we were on our way to California so it was nice to visit the cemetery  leave a wreath, and sing silent night. The progressive dinner was one of her favorite family traditions. 

We also got to spend a lot more time with this little beauty. Gwenevere rode with us for a lot of the bus ride. She is such a great cousin.

I didn't take very many pictures but it was a blast and lasted nearly 12 hours!

Christmas Eve we always go spend with my Green Grandma. She always spoils us with a delicious dinner and gifts for every child, grandchild, and great grandchild. And the family keeps growing. We liked spending some time with our cousins.

Carolyn serenaded us with some Christmas Carols. 

Gwenevere got a chance to try the violin

I've apparently been bad at taking pictures, I wish I got some more family members and Grandma.

We then came home late and put Charlie to bed and did a little Christmas morning preparation. we threw breakfast in the crockpot, filled the stockings, and called it a night.  

We set a low budget for Christmas gifts this year, we stayed under budget and still felt spoiled beyond belief.

Charlie opened his presents very delicately

We had a fun morning together as a family, later that evening we went to my red Grandma's house for Turkey dinner. Yum!

 The next day we went Roller Skating. There was a great family in our ward when we were growing up that has 13 kids. every year on New Years they rent out a roller skating rink from 1am-3am. Now that most of their family has their own kids, they decided to do a daytime roller skating party (in addition to their 1 am party) We had so much fun, and it was great to see a bunch of our old high school friends.

We figured Charlie might prefer skating over walking.

We was pretty good. 

But he mostly rolled in the stroller while we skated...and yes, this is an awkward pose :)

After the skating, we heading over to Uncle Jay's house for Max's family Christmas get together. We arrived just as they were cleaning up the wrapping paper and getting ready for dinner. Just a little late...whoops!

Max and his siblings with Santa/Dad

Charlie spent some time on Santa/Grandpa's lap.

We definitely were able to spend a lot of time with family and it was great. The season is wonderful and we love seeing how everyone becomes a little more Christlike.

Merry Christmas!