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BOY!

A Texas Christmas

We had a great time enjoying Christmas in Texas with Tim's family. Mackenzie stole the show the entire week, but I don't think anyone minded. Aubrey made these cute matching aprons so they could decorate cookies together, but Mackenzie ended up pouring the sprinkles everywhere EXCEPT on the cookies while Aubrey raced to catch them.

There was a LOT of cookie making going on all week.

This is the snack table as of Christmas morning:

We took a trip to the San Antonio Zoo one of the days

There were lots of neat animals

We held our first annual Jingle Jog (ok, it was a walk) complete with a speed walking only finish. Awards included highest number of Reindeer counted (there are a lot in Texas) and most Christmastly Dressed (Rod won that with his green leggings, red shorts, and Santa hat). I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed it as much as we did. Aubrey and Tim were the lead competitors, but Tim pulled off a big first place finish. I hope some of the other Larsen's took more pictures of this event.

Tim's family threw us a baby shower one night. There were lots of fun games, but the boys definitely had to do more than the girls.

Above: Boys had to chug juice from the bottle. Below: Race to put the protective gear on and change the baby's diaper.

We got lots of wonderful presents. Thanks guys!

On Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd), the Lotz family started a tradition a few years ago to get fun drinks and have a "wine" tasting party. We followed through with the Larsen's this year and all made our own drinks to taste. Most were pretty delicious.

We had a delicious dinner on Christmas Eve and stacked the (many) presents around the living room Christmas tree.

Christmas morning we woke up (very early) and looked at our stockings then ate this yummy breakfast Deanne made us before church.

Rod made this darling rocking horse for Mackenzie

We were surprised to find a mini-stocking with ours and a Babies R Us gift card

After church, we opened lots and lots of presents. I have to admit, my favorite gift was my new luggage set. Tim went WAY over budget, but I'm tired of hauling duffel bags around the airport and I hope to travel a little with kids in the future, so having rolley luggage will be so nice.

DeAnne made us this beautiful advent calendar. Each box has a magnet to make the nativity. So creative!

Tim got me a game I'll be able to play with the nieces and nephews called Disney Headbanz where you wear these Mickey ears and stick a card of a Disney character or thing and ask questions to find out who/what you are. It didn't stop us adults from playing a few rounds. It was fun!

I received many fun gifts and Tim got new scriptures, some clothes and games. I printed him this train picture from when we went to the train museum. He is making our extra bedroom/my office a "Colorado" theme.

He got me this nice dutch oven so I can make roast like my moms.

Although I hope to get more pictures from the week from other Larsen's to post, this gives you a glimpse of our fun Christmas. We hope everyone had a happy holiday!

Putt-Putt

Tim is the 2nd counselor in the Deacon's Quorum for our church's Young Mens group. This means he teaches them lessons every Sunday and helps out at activities each Tuesday night. As a way to help the young men learn responsibility, he let them come up with their own combined activity idea several months ago. They decided to create their own putt-putt (aka mini-golf) course and set to work on it for weeks leading up to the activity. The boys did a lot to help, but it still ended up being a LOT of work for Tim and his co-leader.

Their creativity consisted of an electric powered windmill, a canoe, and one hole with a jump through fire:

During the months of preparation, I was called as the Young Women Secretary, so I had the opportunity to experience the magic. It was definitely a success.

Disney Mania!

My family has had our Thanksgiving trip to Disneyland planned since last Thanksgiving. We enjoyed 3 days "hopping" between Disneyland and California Adventure. These are a few of my favorite pictures:

Excited to start our adventures:

The kids started out on the Tea Cups. Tim and Kristen took the boys and Tommy took the girls because everyone related by blood in the Lotz family couldn't handle the spinning. I'm so glad I didn't go. Those boys were spinning like crazy!

I couldn't bear not to have a thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving, so I called a few days ahead of time to make reservations somewhere near the vicinity of the park. Luckily, due to a cancellation while on the phone, we got reservations at the ESPN Zone. The boys were happy. I ordered a delicious traditional thanksgiving dinner while Tim was happy with a burger.

Just walking into the park with TJ and Kristen's kids was about the most fun part!

I love this picture. While waiting for the Muppets 3D show, we all waited and rested.

It was about the only place Hailey got to be free from being held or in the stroller and she had a blast.

Tim was so cute with the kids

I went early for a "Magic Hour" (we got into the park an hour early) with dad and Mindy's family. It was about the only time the Matterhorn didn't have a line, but Mindy and I didn't get to go because expectant mothers weren't allowed.

Two bugs in the rug

The kids absolutely LOVED the Disney Junior Show where actual puppets came out and told stories like in the shows. They got to see Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Little Einsteins.

The girls were so good all three days. Jonas and Will could be quite the stinkers.

Tim, my Dad, and I went to look at Mickey's house while the kids were on a ride and had no idea we were getting in line to see the big guy!

Every night, they lit up the castle for Christmas and made it snow on some of the streets!

The last day we all went on Splash Mountain and made the kids sit in the front seats. Poor Will went twice sitting in two different seats and got soaked both times! What good sports.

Kate and Jonas dressed up for the last day at Disneyland. I have to admit I was about as excited for her to dress up as she was. Her dress is so cute. Unfortunately, the line to meet Rapunzel was over 90 minutes, but we ran into Ariel after not too long!

Between being pregnant and having this little stinker, poor Mindy didn't get to go on many rides, but Henry sure enjoyed the ones he did get to go on.

While the "big kids" were doing the first round of Splash Mountain, Mindy and I took Hailey and Henry to Winnie the Pooh. It was just as much of a hit with these kids.

Although we had a blast at Disneyland, it was CROWDED. I got tired of so many people everywhere, so Tim and I took off to California Adventure for the last evening. It was a little less crowded and had much more open sidewalks. I could breathe again.

Will finished the night like we all wanted to. Notice the sword he is clutching while asleep in Tim's arms:

We were sad Ben and Kaitlyn couldn't make it, and missed my mom, who planned the whole thing, but overall it was a FANTASTIC trip!

Tim's Trains

Trains are very important to the Larsen Family, so to celebrate Tim's birthday, we took a trip to the Colorado Train Museum. Here are some pictures of our adventures: