Donuts

Making donuts with Dad is one of my favorite past times.

A Very Different Christmas

We missed Grandpa Jack and Grandma Jean this year!
They are happily serving a mission in Fiji for 18 months.  They are on an island called, Taveuni.  It is extremely remote, not the 'resort' Fiji we think of.  But they are tough, and they have incredible faith.
We love them and miss them.

Wendy and Rob made homemade pizza for Christmas Eve this year.
They are wonderful cooks and we love being with them.  Great food and lots of laughs with family!  What could be better?

August, Seth, Sage, Tatum, Ingrid, Greta and Olive wearing the shirts Grandma and Grandpa sent from Fiji.  Cutest kids!

                      All tucked in their beds awaiting the magic of Christmas!  My favorite!

Sage, Tatum and Seth love to sleep in the same room on Christmas Eve.  A tradition I loved with my brothers and sisters while growing up.

Wake up, Santa came!  He ate the cookies and left a note!
Note:  It's still dark outside.

Top of the stairs pose, a must.

And the run...

A pink lamp for Sage.  All she wanted, she's so happy!

A "real"artist's set of different mediums.  Very cool.
Wait, can I play?

Seth can't get enough of his new football!

A red music stand for violin Tatum's violin!   Lucky girl.

My very favorite part, the genuine smiles that come from doing things for others!

Cousin's Party

Every year the West cousins get together for a special Christmas Party.  Each cousin brings a present for another cousin, we do a cookie trade and Kristy leads us in fabulously fun games.  Here they are trying to unwrap and eat a chocolate bar with two knives before the person next to them rolls doubles.  As soon as doubles are rolled, your turn is over.  I think everyone got a piece of the chocolate, but Holden got the most!  Nice one Panda!

Holden won!  

This game was my favorite.  Kristy made this up with her brothers growing up.  Everyone puts a tail (a tie) on their pants.  Then you have to run around trying to step on other people's tails.  When your tail falls off, you're out.  It was hilarious.  Seth and Talon kept going forever at the end.  I think it was a tie game.

Put your face in a picture frame and try not to smile while others try to make you laugh.  The kids thought it was awesome!