Christmas is Here

The countdown is finally over! Christmas is here!

And with it comes picture overload - so brace yourself! We actually cut back this year, only taking about 800 between the three of us. I was only going to post my top 20 favorites but that was just too hard. Too many fun moments and memories.

Our journey to the cabin began by seeing Great Grandma Miles - who we found out loves to have tickle fights, especially with Cole.
Then we stopped to Grandma Susan and Great Grandpa Orchard.

Ella was excited to show them her back walk over and Cade and Cole taught her how to give a high five with an exploding fist bump.

Cade pulled out his best grumpy face but it didn't last long when we all started to say, "don't smile".

And Cole became pretty attached to Great Grandpa, showing him how to color cirlces in his special notebook. Next stop - the CABIN!

First order of business after a big hello and some sleep, decorating the Christmas tree.

The tree was already there waiting for us (thanks Cinderelly - a.k.a. Uncle Josh). And all of the kids were excited to get ornaments from Grandma to hang on the tree. Most of the ornaments have a special meaning - places we have been, things we have done or special collections.

Max hung out with Grandpa during the festivities.

Cade enjoyed carrying the boxes while Cole just wanted to document the event in his notebook. This notebook is his new favorite thing. He is pretending he is Steve on Blue's Clues. It's either in his hands or he's looking for it. And he definitely wins the award for coloring the most circles.

Before we knew it, it was Christmas Eve and time to open Christmas pajamas. Cade and Cole really got into tearing the wrapping paper and Ella was anxious to see if she had gotten the footie pajamas she asked for.

TaDa! Our three little elves, ready for bed.

Oh wait. . .not just yet. Santa needs some cookies!

I love Christmas morning! Ella woke up particularly early this year - 2am! But promptly fell back asleep after I told her "No way"! We had church at 9am so we actually had to wake the boys to come and see what Santa had brought for them.

Waiting under the tree...tunnels to crawl through, Calico Critters, DS games, books, dvds...

Cade loved opening presents. He was excited about getting his clothes and books and loved his new guitar.

Cole loved the actual box more than what was inside and tired of opening pretty quickly - as seen by laying his head on Papa's shoulder. He loved his new little tool set with a working drill.

Ella was in love with everything! She usually is. She was overflowing with clothes and books and got her first pair of roller blades.

Cade and Cole's favorite present of all...their new trampoline! I was a little worried about the whole taking turns issue but our routine at dance solved it. Each one gets on and jumps for one verse of No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed and then they switch. Pretty smooth - most of the time.

Ella could not wait for Scott and I to open her present. She came home from school one day with brown paint on one of her feet and some green paint on her hands. When I asked her what she did, she told me it was a big surprise. And it was! She made us this darling reindeer mat.

Opening my much needed and wanted tempurpedic sheets. So soft!

Scott opening his gift certificate for golf lessons.

Opening our church family book and season passes to Lagoon!

This year, Dad wins for getting the present that brought tears, a beautiful picture of Christ with children for mom. She was pretty overjoyed.

Papa's 5lb gummy bear from Ella, Cade and Cole was a big hit! And mom scored big this year with tickets to Oklahoma! Shhh...all of this excitement has put Papa (and Cole's toolset) to sleep.

Uncle Steven got just what he asked for - new scriptures, custom outdoor pack, gift cards, etc.

Papa and Grandma surprised the kids with a fun little gift on Christmas night. They filled ornaments with money and let the kids smash them with a hammer to get the money out. Ella cannot wait to get to the bank with hers. Good thing she doesn't take after her mom. I would be heading to the mall. Ha!Ha!

The final presents of the night were reptile in nature. Grandma made each of the kids scripture snakes filled with bubble gum. They chew the gum and read their scriptures until the flavor runs out.

Thanks Papa...

And Grandma!

Christmas may be over but the cabin fun continues...with our annual trip to see the bears and wolves and have Gusher's Pizza! We are becoming quite the 3 ring circus with all of the kiddos!

The kids definitely had plenty to keep them entertained...decorating paper Christmas houses, playing Nintendo DS and LeapFrog Explorers (which we are definitely getting the boys!),

playing Twister and breaking out our best dance moves to Dora on the Wii,

decorating a Gingerbread House with Grandma,

and making homemade ice cream. Yummy!

One of the cutest things to watch was Cole with Max. He was not sure what to think of him at first. And he still doesn't like it when I hold him but eventually he warmed up and loved giving him kisses and hugs and tickling him.

Cade took a little longer to come around but he must think Max is pretty cool if he is willing to share his food with him.

In the mix of all the fun, it was common to find one or more of the crew lounging around. That's the best thing about the cabin! That and the food!

This year, Mom had just had surgery on her foot so we nominted Steven to be the cabin chef. He graciously accepted and did an amazing job! We had a delicious turkey covered in bacon dinner on Christmas eve, a lick your fingers good fry night with finger steaks, scones, and mushrooms, and mouth watering Cafe Rio sweet pork. Needless to say, I don't think the scale is going to be my friend when I get home.

With all that was going on in the kitchen, it's not surprising that Scott and I picked that time to have another oops parenting moment. Our first tip something was up was when I heard Cole say, "hot". I looked over at him to see his finger in the bowl of jalapeno seeds. I have no idea how many he ate but he was feeling it. We quickly gave him some milk and bread and watched as his little mouth turned red. He did better than we expected but we think we'll wait a few years before reintroducing him to the hot pepper.

If we were to ask the kids what their favorite part of the cabin is I am pretty sure they would say being outside in the snow, whether it be having a snowball fight, building a snowman or sledding. They love it all!

The next two photos get my vote for cutest of the trip!

Cade and Cole went on their first snowmobile ride with Uncle Josh and weren't scared at all! Unlike their big sister Ella who was screaming at this age if we even walked near it.

Building a snowman with Papa

We love our snow angels!

And we are so grateful that we were able to continue our tradition of having Christmas at the Cabin. There truly is nothing like being in the mountains this time of year surrounded by those we love. We are celebrating New Year's Eve by making our way back down the mountain to home. We have had a full and fun year together and are excited for all that next year will bring. Farewell 2011!