Christmas 2010

Christmas Day was finally here!  The kids were bouncing off the walls with excitement.  I have to admit, I wasn't into the holidays this year as I would've liked.  But I figured that I just didn't plan far enough in advance.  So next year will be better- I'm sure of it!  Here are some pics from Christmas morning:

Avery having a moment of silence with all her favorite things (puppy, elmo, video, book...).

All his dreams came true!  When Blake asked him "How did you get a chocolate fountain?", he said "I wished for it".

6:30 am ... Blake (our early riser) is the only one really up and ready.

I tried so hard to get one good pic of the kids in front of the tree.

Chad reading a Christmas bedtime story.

Flocked!

On December 24th we found this on our door along with a flock of flamingos. 

These birds have been going around the ward for a few weeks.  There hadn't been any recent attacks so I sort of forgot about them.  But when we drove up that night...there they were!

According to the "flocking rules" we had get rid of them by Dec. 25th or we would have to store them for a year.  We found the perfect neighbor and made a late night drive by.  Bye bye birdies!

Notice how the flockers were too nervous to get close to our house/window.  We weren't even home so it wouldn't have mattered.

Happy Birthday Blake!

Blake is the big 09 today!  Even though we have his party in the summer time on his half birthday, I love having a Christmas baby. Happy Birthday Blake!
 

Smiley Library Character Tree

Our library has this cute Christmas tree full of storybook characters.  If you can identify at least 10 you get to pick a prize.  I was surprised by how many Blake knew and equally surpirsed by how many Colin didn't know (he kept calling Madeline "Madalee").

It has come to my attention this week that I didn't have ONE picture with all three kids from last year  (boys just don't pose like girls do).  I have lots of "couple" shots, but none all together.  So one of my New Year's Resolutions is the take pictures of all the kids together!

G&G Montgomery's Christmas Party

Letter writing to Santa station

You know Blake...he took his time to make sure he didn't forget anything.

Avery and Chad

Pretzel dipping station

Fishing Pond

Tasha and Chase at the Fishing Pond

I had the cutest pic of Chase and Avery, when Colin popped his head in the mix.

Kid Photos

Reunited after Colin went motorcycle riding.  They were both so happy to see each other.

I realized I never posted a pic of the cast!  Yes, this was a part of our lives for 6 weeks...and yes, it is thigh high. 

Long Beach Tour

Four generations of Snowball women (and one little man)

 My family did a Snowball Family Tour with Grandma Snowball over Thanksgiving.  We went around and saw where she lived as a child, teenager, newlywed and first time home owners.  The picture above is the first house they bought and raised had their first three girls there.  Aunt Barbara was a baby when they moved in, but my mom (above) and Aunt Nancy came home to this house.  (note- they did not plan the giant cactus).

This was their first apartment as newlyweds.  Grandma & Grandpa's was the back right door.  There are four apartments that open to the courtyard Colin is standing in front of.  It was across the street from a park and just looked like a little newlywed apartment.  So cute.

I loved seeing my whole Grandma's life in two hours.  She grew up in the same part of town...and it must have felt like a major move to buy a house all the way on the other side of Long Beach.   It was fun hearing her stories and imaging what life was like for her during those years.