I usually snowblog the driveway while the kids are napping, but this day I decided to let them play outside while I was doing it. They were a little nervous at first, but quickly started playing in the snow and chasing me down the sidewalk. I got out some of their sandbox toys and they loved shoveling the snow and putting it in the wheelbarrow.
Brayden and I also made snow angels, although hard to see:
When we were done outside the kids wanted to play in the garage for a bit.
Since Christmas was busy for all of us, we decided to spend all day Saturday together having fun. We met at my parents and had a yummy pancake breakfast - thanks Sean and Rachelle! We then headed to my parent's church for some friendly broom hockey.
Here's the "nursery:"
Brayden had to get in on the action. He did well, except he whined the entire time b/c he wanted to hit the ball every second.
Brooklyn kept busy cleaning the walls:
We all headed to our homes afterwards so the kids could nap. Then we all went back to my parent's for dinner and presents. Since my family is all in town only once every 1-2 years, we decided to take some family pictures. We hung a black curtain and my brother had brought all his photography stuff. Earlier in the afternoon they went to SLC and bought a couple of couches, this one specifically for photography pictures:
We had homemade pizzas for dinner, then started the presents.
Christmas is usually very busy running around everywhere, and this year was no exception. We all woke up around 9:30 (thanks kids!). It was so much fun this year now that Brayden understands the concept of Santa Clause and loves opening presents. It was neat to see the kids' expressions when they walked into the room and saw everything. Here's the nice clean before picture:
Brayden immediately went to the Elmo track that we had put together. He loves it, as does Brooklyn:
I got Brooklyn this doll that crawls and talks. I turned it on behind her thinking that she would love it. I was wrong. She cried and tried to push it away before she got up and went to the other side of the room. She has since warmed up to it and does carry it around now, as long as it is off:
The laptop computer we gave Brayden was the hit of the morning. Apparently I shoud have gotten two of them, b/c the kids constantly fight over it: 
Our little family:
We spent a little time playing the toys, but had to quickly get ready to head over to Josh's grandparent's for breakfast. Of course we missed breakfast since we all slept in so late, but we still got to see everyone. Here's the cousin/great-grandkid picture:
Josh's family:
We left and headed over to my aunt's house for lunch. I tried to get a cute pic of the kids, but like usual it didn't work out. Oh well. Here's what I got:
I was able to put Brooklyn down for a nap and she slept the entire time we were there, which was kinda nice to have a free hand! Here's Brayden and cousin Paige sitting in the dog bed:
Afterwards we went over to Josh's parent's house to do their Christmas with them. It was a lot of fun to spend the rest of the evening with them since we'll be with my family all day tomorrow. Here's our attempt at a family picture:
Opening presents:
By the end of the night we were all exhausted. Here's Brooklyn snuggling with dad:
Every year we go to Josh's grandparent's house for dinner and a pinata on Christmas Eve. All the kids wore their Sunday clothes which was really cute. Here they are eating at the kids table:
Brooklyn and Jacie chowing down on some cheesecake:
We tried real hard to get a good kid picture. Didn't go so well.
Brayden swinging at the pinata:
Looking for candy:
When we got home we gave the kids one present - their Christmas pj's. 
Yeah! Pj's!!!
Brooklyn started doing somersaults in her pj's, and of course Brayden had to do them as well:
Nothing like a big brother to pin you down and tickle you.
Lately Brayden has loved getting his picture taken. He'll randomly tell my to get my camera and take a picture quick! So of course I have to follow orders. Here the kids are sitting on the case of pop:
The Monday before Christmas we went to Josh's uncle's house for their party. We had soup and breadsticks for dinner, then had a lesson, then opened white elephants. It was a lot of fun to see everyone. Here are a few pics of the kids:
So...when we got all packed up for the cabin we realized we didn't have enough room for everything. So I ended up leaving behind 2 gallons of milk and asked my brother to bring up some milk they had. Since they left the cabin early, they left their milk so we brought it home. That meant we ended up with 8 gallons of milk in our fridge. That's right...8. It's hard to see in the picture, but they are all there. Of course I had to take a picture and blog about it. :)
The Sunday before Christmas we had my grandparent's party. We always have a talent show, then dessert. It's fun to see how creative everyone gets with their talents. I played "If You Could Hie To Kolob" on the piano. The hardest part was trying to keep our kids under control. The kids had been in the car or in church the entire day, except for their nap. So by the time we got to my grandma's they were ready to run around and play, which is not what you want for a talent show. We did our best keeping them busy in the kitchen.
Brayden was very intrigued at first and wanted to sit on the front row:
But quickly got a little nervous and couldn't sit so close anymore.
Of all the pictures I took throughout the week of Christmas, the best ones turned out to be from this party eventhough they aren't great. (I dream of the day I can get both kids to look at the camera at the same time, smile, and click the picture.) Here are my favorites:
