Jeppson Family Christmas part 3

Christmas morning is over.  We are chilling and doing what we have done for Christmas for the past few years.  We live to far and it is to expensive to visit family.  So we hang out in our pajamas all day, listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies and eating Christmas goodies, while enjoying our new Christmas gifts.  Although we miss family, we have come to really enjoy this relaxed way to spend Christmas.  It is wonderful!

 The after math of Christmas unwrapping.  Not too bad, I expected more packaging!

 Matt grew up having a Christmas spread of crackers, cheese, meats, cheese balls, veggies, fruit and such instead of a formal sit-down dinner.  It is something I have come to enjoy as well, and so this is what we do every year.  It is faster and easier then preparing a big meal...so I am all for it!

This is our spread this year, yum!

 The boys helped in the kitchen this year too.

This was their contribution!

 My lovely lady.  I got her as a gift at my wedding over 16 years ago.  She works just as well as she did day 1.  my trusty gal!  I decided to give her a make-over this year for Christmas.  I love it!

To end our day, I think this is the sweetest picture ever.

This is my brother and his family.

He is deployed currently to Afghanistan, and this is his new son's first Christmas.

My sister-in-law shared this picture with us, it is the family picture of their First family Christmas.

So sweet, it brings tears to my eyes.

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope yours was Merry and Bright!

Jeppson Family Christmas part 2

As the Jeppson family Christmas continues, the unwrapping frenzy begins!

 The boys are always interested in what everyone else got!

 So we tried to keep them occupied with a bunch of little gifts along the way!

They loved unwrapping so much!

 Matt, with the biggest gift of the season!

I love his goof face that he makes on purpose all the time!  He cracks me up!

 Not quite sure what Anya is doing, but she is in the Christmas spirit!

 We shared a lot of very sweet moments this Christmas too!

 Anya wants to be a ninja!

 Dad also got the biggest present under the tree.

The boys couldn't wait to unwrap it!

What could it be...?

 A new golf bag!

Dad really needed this since his other one died a few seasons ago, so he had been using his real old one he bought when he was 18.  It was time to replace it!

 We surprised Hannah with the Lego set she really wanted.

She had asked Santa, but he didn't bring it.  We had told him that we, as parents, wanted to give it to her!

 Cora in Christmas nirvana.

We also surprised anya with the drawing tablet she wanted for the computer.

She was so excited!  Mainly because she didn't even ask for it.

We had a great time as a family, unwrapping presents, skyping with family and talking with loved ones.

What a fun morning...now it is on to part 3 and the food!!

Jeppson Family Christmas part 1

Christmas morning!

I split this post up into two parts, because of all the pictures.  Since this is our family journal, something my kids will hopefully look back on, and our chief way of sharing pictures with grandparents afar, I chose not to scrimp on the picture posting.  So there are tons, just to warn you!

Santa arrived!

 The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...

 Finally the crew is allowed in, the boys sporting headlamps and all!

 What did Santa leave us?

 Tonka trucks, tool boxes and tool belts!

 Some American Girl stuff and DS stuff!

 Same for Hannah!

 Anya got the guitar she has been wanting...no excuses now, you need to learn to play!

 After seeing what Santa left, it is time for breakfast.  We read some scriptures about Christ's birth by the light of our Christmas pyramid and enjoy some yummy, homemade cinnamon rolls!  

Not the boys though...they want their standard bowl of Life cereal and eggo waffles they have every morning!

 Aunt Trudy made quilts for Anya and Hannah.

They were a hit!

 Now for the stockings!

Anya finally got some ski goggles!

Jack helping Hannah enjoy her stocking treasures!

The boys were so excited this year, they loved everything we did!

So look for posting 2 of more pictures as the Jeppson family Christmas continues!

Christmas Eve is finally here!

* warning, Holiday season so next few posts have LOTS of pictures *

Christmas Eve is here, so we have lots of baking to do!

Mixing up some holiday cookies, you got to sport an awesome apron for such a job!

My good friend I met here in Virginia made me this apron, isn't she the best.  

I love it!

 We kept it more simple this year.  Usually our Holiday baking goes over the top!  But this year, besides the gingerbread houses and traditional sugar cookies, we made fudge, Grandma Gale's wafer cookies and lemon melts. Yum!

 Decorating Ginger houses!!

 Hunter really got into it this year, and had to dress the part.

 Waving "Hi" to cousins as we took some pictures to share with them.

 All the kids in front of their houses.

 I was taking some pictures in front of the tree, and had to share this one.  My boys are so silly!

 Especially this character!

 Our traditional Christmas eve soup, with my polish pottery that I love!

This year we had Lasagna soup, yum!

 Time for bed, so one last shot in front of the Christmas tree.

Before we go to bed though, we get to open our Christmas eve present.

This is something I loved doing as a kid and decided I would keep it going for my kids.  Usually they get Christmas pajamas...but since I can barely close my kids pajama drawer...they didn't really need those.  So we got headlamps and new books...which they all LOVED!  

Put out the cookies we made today for santa!

Here comes Santa Claus!

Snow!

Ok all my Rocky/Alaska/Germany/upstate New York family and friends...Do not laugh!

I grew up in Utah, my kids have been to Utah in the winter, we lived in Bavaria (although it was mild compared to Utah at times) so we know what REAL snow looks like.  That being said...I just had to post about our first, and only, snowfall in Virginia so far!

 The boys were so excited about making snow angels and building a snow man!  We haven't been able to build a snowman yet...but the boys made snow...er...mud angles!

Yahoo!  So much snow!!  We woke up to the snow, the boys were so excited!  We rushed downstairs, ate breakfast, got in all our snow gear and rushed outside.  Only to find that most of it had melted!  "Awe....where did it all go...?" was Jack's response!  I got to hand to them though, they did not let the lack of snow stop them from having some winter time fun!

Don't worry kids...we will get our fill of snow next year in the Colorado Rockies I am sure!

Dad's work party and Santa!

Matt's work party was really unique and fun this year!  They started out the day with the "jingle jag jog", a 2 mile fun run for the family.  I had committed to help with food prep and set up, so I didn't run.  Jack had a fractured foot, so he and Hunter didn't run either.  Cora decided it was too cold, so it was just Dad and the older girls.  They did great and all ran the entire 2 miles!

The boys hanging out as I was getting the food ready and set out for the returning runners.

Right after the run, as people finished, they came right in and had lunch.  There was a yummy Chili cook off and a hot chocolate bar, it was super yummy.

After lunch it was time for the kids part.  They got to go to several different rooms and do different crafts, and after crafts Santa came!

All the girls did great and sat with Santa.

I was a little worried about the boys though...

 This picture is from last year!  Hunter loved Santa, idolizes Santa and still does!  Jack would have nothing to do with him!  How would this year go...?

 Very well actually!

Jack sat on his lap and proudly told Santa that he wanted a Christmas present for Christmas!

I love this age!

 Hunter turned into a little ball of giggles!

He was just so excited to see his idol again this year!

It was a very fun party, and a job well done by everyone who helped!