Christmas with the Dons

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This year we were down visiting the Dons in SA. All Nick's siblings came in and we actually got to spend an entire week down there. It was great! We had a nice mix of down time and activity. The first day was really traveling. The second day we took the kids to a clay place and made plates with the kiddos handprints for our gift to Gigi. It was really sweet and all the kids did great! That afternoon the kids finished some cookies with Gigi. The next day the ladies went to get pedicures and the guys went to see Avatar that night. I think we both made out well. The next day was Christmas Eve and there was some fun game playing and then we all headed to church for the service. Their family tradition involves roasting hot dogs in the fireplace and then sharing an ice cream log Jesus cake. This was great! Christmas day is a fun but long day at the Dons. We had a nice time opening presents and just playing with some of the new toys. Nick's older brother got a WII with Guitar Hero so there were many jam out sessions on it. The following day we went to see a live performance of the Lion King- Gigi's main gift to all of us. It was fabulous! Afterwards we went down to the Riverwalk to have dinner. What a treat! The next day was Sunday-church again and then just a lot of cleaning and organizing as we all left pretty early on Monday. There was one more outing-a night out dancing at Floors. Fortunately, it was family night so we took the big kids, and had a blast! Vivi wanted to close the place down. The way home Nick drove and the kiddos almost slept the entire time. Overall, it was a nice trip and I'm glad we could be there. Thank you family for making it so special and memorable.

Our little family Christmas

Amongst the crazy family Christmas celebrating we were able to sneak in a little time Sunday before Christmas with just our four pack family to have the kids open gifts from us. I think Isaac really enjoys his guitar and Vivi seems to really like her Tinkerbelle tree house. Here's just a shot of each of us with the kids.

Christmas with Johnson's 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This year we spent the weekend before Christmas with my family. We enjoyed decorating cookies, watching Claymation, giving the girls a special Christmas pedicure and bubble baths, putting all the kids in coordinating jammies, all the fun of opening some of our favorite treats, and just enjoying family. Thank you too all my family for making it so special.

Happy Hannukah

This year, I enjoyed helping a little more with Vivi's class Hannukah party. Her teacher Diana came up with some cute games for the kids and I really enjoyed observing Vivi a little bit in class. The pictures include one of Vivi in circle time in class, playing spin the driedel (but the kids are the driedel), making kanukea (sp?) out of chocolate pretzels, and star of david lollipops-yum! My favortie shot is of Vivi in her gifts from her teachers. She loved the scarf! Thanks to Nana for watching Isaac so I could be a part of this without having to chase a little man.

Our favorites

These show a couple of favorite things to "remember" for this Christmas season. Vivi really took a liking to Frosty the Snowman. She asked me to read, no not read, sing it to her almost every night for the month of December. This is a pic capturing that. Then the pic of Isaac involves some of his favorites- these silver beads which he would wrap around himself like he was the Christmas tree and this light up sword. We always said he carries anything long and slender like a sword and we call all of these objects-his sword. This time it actually is his sword.

Trip to Bass Pro

This December was jam packed so we tried to sneak in a few fun outings earlier in the month. We were able to get over to the Bass Pro Shops in the middle of the week which was lovely as it was completely empty and full of cute setups for photos. You wouldn't believe how hard it was to get all three kids still and smiling for a shot- well maybe some of you would know how hard this is! This was the start of a new phase where Vivi is letting me "fix" her hair more. I had fun doing pigtails again- look how long her hair is! She and Chloe were really sweet with Isaac. Here are my favorite shots of the kids and my sister and I with the crew.

Spa Time-ooh la la!

It's become a tradition "almost" to go and get some form of a spa treatment for our birthdays. Since my sister and mom both share a December birthday we decided to sneak in a special trip to the Gaylord a little earlier in the month. Here a few shots of our fun excursion there. Thank you guys for such a spoiling! Happy Birthday Em and Mom!

Pajama Time

These are just random sweet shots of the kids running around in new pajamas. Vivi had deemed them her favorite until all the other new jammies that came around for Christmas gifts and such. I think if she could fit in Isaac's Toy Story jammies she would.

Alternate to Christmas Cards

My apologies for all I missed on our Christmas card list. Unfortunately, as some heard, we updated our computer and I once again learned the hard lesson of not having your addresses backed up. Here are a few alternative shots to what I sent but actually some of my favorites- the kids played so much with this little snowman from Nana (it played music- and fortunately about 20 songs so it didn't get too old). I loved doing this little photo shoot but I was also equally upset with myself when I remembered we got a GREAT family photo taken by a pro this summer that I should have used. Oh well...these were fun to shoot and the kids looked sweet.

Christmas Night out with the Ladies

To start our Christmas celebrating, my mom and I joined some friends at a church service and dinner. It was a special night with lovely conversation, yummy dinner, and a great speaker to get you in the spirit of Christmas. Thank you Jaime and Suzie for inviting us! We really had a nice relaxing time and enjoyed getting to catch up with you as well Amber. Just love you ladies!

Putting up Christmas

As most of you are taking down Christmas, I am posting about putting it up. So I'm a bit behind but if you want to hear how our month of December went read on. Here are my favorite shots of the kids helping with the tree.