Happy Christmas Harry, Happy Christmas Ron

Christmas has come and gone, and I can honestly say that this year was the best year of all. Being married and not working retail are two of the big contributing factors, but being close to both of our families and being able to spend time with both of them was really grand as well. We of course missed our out-of-state family, hope your guysez Christmas was filled with fun, food, and the true meaning of Christmas.

The cat keeps jumping onto the back of the laptop and smashing my hands against the keys, so if there are any spelling errors or nonsensical words, please forgive me and blame the cat.

Christmas Eve started out with us waking up early and heading over to my parents, (the Tingey's) house to cook them a surprise breakfast. We made these bad boys, (see picture to right) and then helped with some cleaning and yard work. After all that, we went LASER TAGGING. If you guys didn't already know, laser tagging is one of my favorite things, ever. Ever. We went to Nickel City and were pleased to discover that they have the best laser tag in the whole world. After our battles with each other and some random eight-year-old kids, we went to Kevin's parents (the Robbins) for some good old-fashioned gift exchangery and fun times. After being spoiled rotten, we then headed to my cousin's house for my family's main Christmas Eve tradition. First off at the Kemp's, we had a delicious seafood dinner, loosely based off of what they would have eaten in Christ's time, then gathered together to start our program. Every year my mom and aunt Kristi make a list of every kid's "Good Deeds" that they did throughout the year and tell everyone about them. Since Kevin is a new addition, he was added to the list. We do this as a way to give the Saviour a Christmas present, we can't give him an X-Box or fluffy blanket, but we can give him our lives. We watched the Church's new nativity video, then ate "snowballs." (ice cream rolled in coconut with a candle lit in the middle) Following the program, we all got our Reindeer food then headed back to my parents for our Christmas pajamas, then Kevin and I went back to our place, and to bed.

Christmas day was an even earlier morning for us. We woke up at 5:15 and did our gift exchange, then got ready for the day and headed to my parents for their Christmas morning. After all the presents were opened and messes were made, we went to the Robbin's for their fabulous traditional sourdough pancake breakfast. Here is another picture of pancakes I found on Google. Following the pancakes, we did our third gift exchange of the day, and then spent several hours eating more food, playing games, and just having fun in each other's company. After the Robbin's festivities, we headed back to my parents for our Christmas dinner for my family, which was well attended. The Kemp's plus Courtney's boyfriend Steve, Kirk and Larry, and my grandma Jorgensen were all there. After eating yet again, we all sat around and talked more. After the extendeds left, we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with Kimball and my parents, then finally headed home. We both had an amazing Christmas. Thank-you everyone who celebrated with us for your kindness and generosity, and for just being awesome. God bless us, every one!

Picture Time

Miquelle being embarrassing while opening a present.