For Christmas this year we decided to stay with the Kimballs to spend the last one with them before they go on their mission. (However they will only be gone for one Christmas thankfully!)
We went to Mom and Dad's house for Christmas Eve dinner. It was so delicious. Everything tasted so good... the ham, funeral potatoes, salads, rolls, etc. It was so nice to be in such great company! I love being with the Kimball's, it doesn't ever feel like I'm an "in-law". After dinner, we gathered around for a program. Each sibling chose a favorite Christmas story or memory and shared it with the family. It was very spiritual, happy, funny and all around joyous. After we all shared, we all sang the song "Away in a Manager". (Video below, warning: we are NOT the Von trap family singers...) We all then exchanged gifts and ate dessert and just generally enjoyed each others company! Soon before we all started to pack up, we heard Santa's sleigh bells outside. I don't know that I have ever seen so many kids move so fast.
We also told Mom and Dad and family we were pregnant that night! We wrote in Mom and Dad's little Christmas card "Love: Danny, Heather, Brooke & ???" Mom let out a little squeal, but we had to be discreet about it since the rest of the family didn't know. Right before we got Brooke's PJ's on, Wendy found the card and came up to me asking if she was suppose to see it yet... no... but she was cute and kept quiet. Then we decided to get all the kids in their PJ's and I grab Brooke's that matched the rest of the cousins (which said "Big Sister" on the front). Julie saw them and tried to yank them out of my hand, because she noticed they matched Ava's! So a commotion started and by the time we got Brooke dressed, everyone was in watching Brooke get her PJ's on. They all were so happy for us.
Danny and I also had the opportunity to get on Skype (webcam) with my family and grandparents. We were able to watch them open the gift we gave them (which read "You're going to be a Great-Grandma & Grandpa AGAIN in August!") They were so excited and Danny and I were so happy we could watch them open it!
We then went home and did our final wrappings and watched the traditional "24 hours" of a Christmas Story! Best Christmas movie besides Elf.
I know this picture is out of focus, but I love how she was just admiring the tree...We went to Mom and Dad's house for Christmas Eve dinner. It was so delicious. Everything tasted so good... the ham, funeral potatoes, salads, rolls, etc. It was so nice to be in such great company! I love being with the Kimball's, it doesn't ever feel like I'm an "in-law". After dinner, we gathered around for a program. Each sibling chose a favorite Christmas story or memory and shared it with the family. It was very spiritual, happy, funny and all around joyous. After we all shared, we all sang the song "Away in a Manager". (Video below, warning: we are NOT the Von trap family singers...) We all then exchanged gifts and ate dessert and just generally enjoyed each others company! Soon before we all started to pack up, we heard Santa's sleigh bells outside. I don't know that I have ever seen so many kids move so fast.
We also told Mom and Dad and family we were pregnant that night! We wrote in Mom and Dad's little Christmas card "Love: Danny, Heather, Brooke & ???" Mom let out a little squeal, but we had to be discreet about it since the rest of the family didn't know. Right before we got Brooke's PJ's on, Wendy found the card and came up to me asking if she was suppose to see it yet... no... but she was cute and kept quiet. Then we decided to get all the kids in their PJ's and I grab Brooke's that matched the rest of the cousins (which said "Big Sister" on the front). Julie saw them and tried to yank them out of my hand, because she noticed they matched Ava's! So a commotion started and by the time we got Brooke dressed, everyone was in watching Brooke get her PJ's on. They all were so happy for us.
Danny and I also had the opportunity to get on Skype (webcam) with my family and grandparents. We were able to watch them open the gift we gave them (which read "You're going to be a Great-Grandma & Grandpa AGAIN in August!") They were so excited and Danny and I were so happy we could watch them open it!
We then went home and did our final wrappings and watched the traditional "24 hours" of a Christmas Story! Best Christmas movie besides Elf.
Brooke was so funny in while we were all sharing our stories, Brooke went around to all the cousins and gave them hugs!
This year, we had David and Mare for the sibling exchange. Danny made them a sign that had David's Chiropractor logo and name engraved into a piece of granite. (Sorry Denny we won't get to make you one!)
Denny is just about the only uncle on Danny's side that Brooke isn't afraid of. Last night, he was making her belly button sing...
So we were trying to get a picture of all the cousins together in their PJ's by the tree... Brooke did NOT want to, so we gave Kenna the assignment to hold her while we took the pictures. She took it very seriously and did a very good job... Brooke did NOT like it one bit!
All the cousins! 
Brooke and Kenna are about 18 months apart and are the best of buddies! It's so cute to watch them play together!
WARNING: Watch at your own risk... we are NOT professionals!
However, I do LOVE how Brooke is just mesmerized by all our singing!
2 comments:
You give Kenna a task, she won't let you down. I'm glad that they play so well together. I'm kind of partial, but I can see why Brookie loves Denny so much...he's just a lovable one. So excited for #2.
You give Kenna a task, she won't let you down. I'm glad that they play so well together. I'm kind of partial, but I can see why Brookie loves Denny so much...he's just a lovable one. So excited for #2.
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