The Merry part of Christmas

The past two days have been filled with Merry.  On Christmas Eve we spent some time with the Brooks family.  They had their annual Christmas Eve festivities and are always so kind to let us Hydes invade their party.  They know how to put together a family event.  They have a great dinner and Kalynn make these amazing hot drinks.  My kids loved the vanilla and peppermint, complete with whipped cream and sprinkles.  We didn't stay for the program this year  (which is always a fun experience), but Kaci's family was coming to town and we hadn't seen them since August.
With the Little family we went to dinner and then went to Nana and Papa's for Christmas Eve activities.  We frosted cookies for Santa, decorated gingerbread houses, opened our exchange gifts and opened our gifts from Nana and Papa.  We visited and laughed and were very entertained by the little Lund girls.

Christmas morning we got up early and opened Christmas gifts.  Gracie got a new electric scooter.  Garrett and Grant each got an iPod Touch.  We made a nice, but fast breakfast.  Then we hurried to get ready for church.  We went to Nana and Papa's ward today.  There was a really nice musical program and they have some talented people in their ward.

After church we went back to Nana and Papa's home for Christmas dinner.  We ate most of the afternoon, snacking while the meal was cooking, eating dinner, snacking some more, and having dessert.  I am going to have to run to California and back to burn the calories I took in today.
Tonight Grandma and Grandpa Brooks came over and we were able to visit with them for a short time.  They have lots of kids to see and we were happy we were able to be included in the visits.  Grandma brought a treasure box full of Russ' memories as a child.  School projects, pictures, scout accomplishments, tapes, etc.  The kids thought it was fun to see pictures of their dad as a kid and the boys especially loved seeing his merit badge cards that he earned as a scout.  It was a fun way to end a great holiday.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this a wonderful Christmas for our family.  We love you all.

A Tuacahn Christmas

Last night we went to Tuacahn to see the live nativity.  We bundled up in our warm clothes and got to the performance just as it was starting.  It was fantastic.  As Mary rode in on a donkey Gracie said, "Mom, are those animals real?"  Yes, it was a live donkey.  Then the shepherds came with real sheep and she got even more excited.  Then the wisemen came and they brought in three camels.  Two of them were enormous and Grant and Gracie got so excited.  Grant said, "I never knew camels were so big.  Now I can say that I have seen a real camel".  Tuacahn always does an amazing job with their performances, and this was no exception.
After the live nativity we took part in some of the other festivities Tuacahn was offering.  We visited with Santa.  We listened to some children violinists perform Christmas music.  And we goofed around with the picture posing boards (I think we spent the most time there trying to teach Garrett how to use the camera).  It was a cold, fun night.     

The Christmas letter we never sent...

I had big plans this year for Christmas. I was going to get started early on shopping, making treats, and creating cute Christmas cards and a clever letter to go along with them. I was going to decorate my house and create a festive atmosphere for my family to enjoy. Well, Strep throat thwarted most of my Christmas dreams. I spent 4 days flat on my back and two full weeks trying to regain all of my energy. It has been a long time since I have been that sick. Needless to say, I quickly sent one family picture to Costco and had some not so cute cards made. We mailed them out, without any kind of letter, and I have been sad about it ever since.

Although not clever, I thought I would still post some of the years highlights with our family pictures.

Russ- spent two weeks fly-fishing in the Seychelles, traveled to Mexico with the family, continued to serve as scout master/ Deacon’s quorum advisor, still worked as the service manager at Alsco, continued to live in the “most fishless area of the nation”, hunted for deer and dove, and coached Grant’s basketball team.

Kori- traveled to New York with Garrett’s baseball team and LOVED the “Big Apple”, went to Mexico with the family, was finally released from the Primary Presidency after 4 ½ years, still worked as an exercise physiologist at the hospital, ran very little, gained at least 5 pounds.

Garrett (almost 14)- played football, basketball and baseball, won the football championship, watched The Yankees play at Yankee Stadium, went to the top of the Empire State building, competed in a baseball tournament in New York, went to Mexico, shot his first dove and deer, grew 3 inches, is back in braces for phase II, started junior high, learned to drive, ate us out of house and home.

Grant (11 ½)- played football, basketball, and baseball, won championships in baseball and football, began gymnastics and has spent the 2^nd half of the year upside down on his hands, started 6^th grade at the intermediate school, had his 1^st phase of braces removed, started scouts, visited the Mayan ruins at Tulum, is now eating almost as much as his brother.

Gracie (8)- was baptized by her dad, started 3^rd grade, continued in gymnastics, lost her first tooth (then had 3 more pulled to make room in her mouth), learned to write in cursive, sang in the school choir- Sunset Express, became the proud owner of Pippa the hamster, loved to have her nails painted, still talks too much to eat.