This Christmas we had the pleasure of spending/waking up at my parents. Since we live here thats how it goes. Growing up we would wake up and have to wait at the top of the stairs for Dad to get home from the firestation, or for grandma and grandpa to get there, and for all the siblings to get up! The brothers minus Kevin were hard to roll out of bed. It was a fun tradition growing. Especially since our stairs dont face the living room! We would be so excited to see where our "spot" was or what big thing was sitting out cause it couldnt be wrapped. I love that memory.

This year we got to jet downstairs! Then we were asked to go back to the top of the stairs for a picture. lol We opened gifts with mom and dad each taking a turn making the gifts last. Eric got a home Depot gift card from me, a really cool custom tool box, Edward Scissor hands... for me really... candy, Cheeze it chap stick... which smells... uggg dont ever put it on your lips... bleh!! It was funny cause one thing he REALLY wanted was a headset for the XBOX 360 a few days before Christmas I reassured him I didnt buy it.. Really I didnt. He was bummed "Out of all the things Ive hinted at... blah blah blah waa cry!!!" But really even though I didnt buy it, my mom and dad had for him. He we very surprised and happy. I got MAC gift card... for those of you who are worried about my bday coming up... MAC is awesome make up.. :D I got a glow sight for my shotgun, a pouch to hold shotgun shells in instead of carrying a box or stuffing pockets, a babylock sewing machine (because the one I was"borrowing" from my mom that was so old died), a sweet leopard blanket, and the bedspread Ive been eyeing from target! My brother John and his family had us this year and they gave us a Tom Tom GPS which is used everyday by Eric and when we go on trips, Rockband drum silencers, and a stand for the guitars.

After the gifts Eric and I carried on our little Clarke family tradition of going to Ihop. mmm pancakes.... We went the past two years and decided it will be our tradition. After a heavy dose of Eggnog pancakes, Eggs, bacon, sausage, Steak and eggs, OJ and hashbrowns we headed back home.

All the kids gather at mom and dads after their present time or seeing the other families, we hang out, pick at turkey, stuffing, salsa cheesy stuff, and cookies. Other gifts are exchanged and it is fun to see what everyone comes up with.

My brother Cory and his family had Kevin, Tiffany and Maeve. I guess there is a book that you can record your voice into and the child can read along with it. That was the plan but due to malfunctions with the book, Cory being the smart electronics man he is, made a video with the audio clip instead. I believe it has a bigger inpact hearing my brothers voice on surround sound reading "Twas the night before Christmas" 'to his daughter'. At first it was just music and then once I heard his voice I broke down... IT sucks not having Kevin home, especially for the holidays. We did get to talk to him that night, he called and we passed the phone around each taking a quick turn. His year is almost up only a few more months.

I really enjoyed Christmas this year and honestly Im looking forward/Im scared of next year. It will be my first Christmas away from family. But ITs the In-laws turn so its only fair! Christmas 2010 is in Phoenix!

Enjoy ALL the pictures I took! Thanks again Liz for showing me the collages! That program is amazing!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each year we rotate names... It would be like drawing names from a hat, of all the siblings and who ever you have, you buy for that family. This year we had my brother Denny's family. each kid got their own goody bag with Bakugan??? things candy and random items which they loved. But what Im most proud of was what I made for their home. I had asked her what colors go in her home since it is always changing, she said earth tones and browns. So thanks to my friend Danielle for this addictive/tedious/fun/relaxing craft that I now call a hobby!