If you know us at all, you know how much we love this time of year. We all get into the fun and festivities.
The Christmas music is turned on, the eggnog is poured Thanksgiving night,and we start decorating the house the next day.
We love the baking, decorating and fun that goes with the Christmas. We had our annual tree hut this year. I'm not sure the kids look forward to this as much as Kim and I. We drag the kids around until we find the perfect tree. This has been known to take hours. I like to post a child by a tree I like until I decided which tree we want. I've been subjecting my kids to this since they were small.
Even when we lived in Missouri and the oldest girls were small, I would have them stay by a tree until we decided. That way no one could buy the trees we were considering. It was tough when we used to cut our own trees, but we covered the area an acre at a time and the older kids stood with farthest away tree. Can you imagine a little four year old girl with rosy cheeks from the cold, telling, "I'm sorry my mom might want that tree. You can't buy that one." I admit, I'm demented. This year we managed to only have to go to one tree lot. Our biggest challenge is reminding Kim the height restriction we have.
Once home it's on to decorating, everyone participates, like it or not. Even though some of us complain with all the work, we love every bit of it and wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe the part where I have a melt down just days before Christmas. this year things will be very quiet around our home.
Kaira Fern and Tyler are staying home in Washington. they are expecting baby number 2 the week after Christmas. I understand, but you'd think they would be more sensitive to our needs and send Mack for Christmas. Kassey and Will will be staying in Utah. Will has to work and Kassey is due to have their baby the middle of January.
Kerin and Cory are with us for Christmas. Yea, somebody loves us.
Kerin has always been good at kissing up to her parents. Kyle is serving in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh mission and will be enjoying a white, cold Christmas. With everyone gone that just leaves 8 for Christmas. To some that would be a large group, for our home that's a quiet, intimate group. We will be having our traditional Christmas Eve and there are 25 people expected, so I'll still get my crowed and chaos.
I flew in the night of the 27th and Kaira and Henry came home from the hospital the morning of the 28th, since then we get sleep when we can. 
Henry is a good baby and not a screamer. He eats every 2 hours and has one long stretch in the early morning hours. Mack is a good big brother, maybe too good. His only problem maybe that he is a little possessive of his little brother. 
Mack helps get diapers, throws trash away and tells you where things are. He tells you more than where things are, he tells you what things are. He's always pointing out what things are called. 
We now call him "Captain Obvious". It's great to have a real super hero in the family. I'm here for the week to help with night time feedings and daytime chaos. Today was great I got a three hour nap and Kim and the kids got here and we'll all be here for the week. Three hours is the longest I've slept since I got here. By the time Henry gets fed changed and back to sleep I get about 40 minuets of sleep. I'm not young anymore and really needed the 3 hours today. I'm sure things will get better but no matter how much sleep I get I love being here with my grand babies in Seattle.
I have been doing my own survey. I recently listened to a local talk radio show where the topic of discussion was saying "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "Happy Holiday". I hadn't really thought of it, and must admit, I quiet often say "Happy Holiday" instead of "Merry Christmas". The main point was, we have taken too much of Christ out of our lives and saying "Happy Holidays" instead "Merry Christmas" is just another subtle way. I now say "Merry Christmas" to everyone. The responses have been interesting. Some smile, look you in the eye and say "Merry Christmas" back. Others maybe smile but don't say anything. The most interesting to me are those that look confused. I want to stop my busy life and talk for a few minuets with those people. It's as though they have forgotten what life is about and they want to be reminded. I think of my son Kyle at those moments.
He is serving on a two year mission for our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh area finding and teaching those who are looking for answers. 
Christmas time brings choir performances. All the kids at home sing in some type of choir. For the last few months the kids have had choir practices and last week was the big performing week. On Thursday the 6
There was a good turn out and the kids did a great job.
After the shower Kassey, Kerin, their husbands and I went out to dinner, on the way home Kerin and Cory took me by Temple Square to see the lights. 
It's hard to tell from the picture, but Santa has definitely eaten too many cookies and I think it's time to change to non-fat milk. Sunday we helped Kassey unpack some boxes in their new place. 