eat sleep and farm

The week before Christmas, my sister and her family arrived in town from So Cal and then that Sunday I surprised everyone (esp. my Mom)with a surprise visit from our cousin Adam, who we haven't seen in 6+ years! We all went to lunch and then my parent's house for games and more yummy food. {Adam is my Mom's oldest brother's son.} Amber meets Kara for the 1st time!

Back in early December I baby sat my friend Gretchen's 3 boys. Our kids had a blast playing with them! I just found these pictures, which is why they're so late. Peter captured my heart. the 4 big kids eating lunch.

We hosted Christmas for Jason's side of the family at our house. The night was lots of fun and didn't end until 1 AM - we know how to partay! :) {In the top picture, Rachel is thanking Grandma for her present} Ethan with Grandpa, playing the wii me, with the Great Grandmas Jason, holding Jack (his cousin's little boy) she got about 10 dolls this year! showing Kara her present the shawl Aunt Betty made for her! cousin Jack Poor Grandpa is the human jungle gym Jason with his Grandmas

After opening stockings and eating our traditional breakfast, we headed to my parent's house for a couple hours. Its total chaos, but its oh, so fun! this is a princess bath towel - so cute! My nephew, Sam my bro-in-law Jeremy, sporting the shirt we gave him... I bet, outside of family members, only Heather will get its meaning :) Ethan, thanking his cousin Kyle for the gifts We're so terribly mean for teasing Ethan... but we couldn't resist. ;)

Opening stockings! with the new guitars Pirate Playmobil! I love this sequence of pictures :) Cars racing game for the DS Probably his favorite stocking gift You can see Ethan's not a morning guy the girls on Christmas morning

We opted for a smaller tree this year.