Christmas Time

Here we go!!!

I thought I better update this since it has been so long.

Here is our Christmas, Madsen style.

(These may or may not be in order)

First our Family Picture. Not too bad even though Brylee did not want it taken.

Girl's pictures for Eric's present. These were shirts from when his Uncle raced, whom passed away this year. He was Eric's biggest hero. The shirt Brylee has on was actually the one Eric wore when he was 18 months old.

The cousins with Santa. I promise I will not do this to my kids again. The Santa at South Towne Mall was always the same great "Santa", till this year. This is by far too many kids to get a picture of especially when one of them is scared.

The girls. Wow, what a bad shot.

Cousin Ayson, he just chilled the whole time.

Cousins Hudson and Daisee, whom was just mortified to be there.

My Holiday look. The red only lasted a short while, but was fun while it did.

Eric received employee of the year for West Valley City. He didn't even know he was nominated. He was chosen by the City Manager, which makes it that much more special.


Maycee made us this at Preschool. A box of Hot Chocolate wrapped up as a snowman. She was so excited to give it to us she wanted us to open it right away.

Aunt Kristi brought over Christmas presents. This started off the opening of gifts for the rest of the month. Brylee did a great job and acted like she's been doing this for years.

Here are the girls in the middle of all the excitement.

Eric's friend from work came over and we exchange gifts with them every year. The kids are so cute together.

Maycee and Kaily are super cute together.

Of course we had to take one of us adults. Lin, Tam, Eric and I.

And here we go for Christmas Day. Brylee and I getting her gifts opened.

Kimberlen working on hers.

And Maycee just loving it all.

Eric opening the tear jerking picture of the girls. He claimed this was the best and most thoughtful gift he has ever received. Made all of us cry.

On to his parents for Breakfast and gifts. His parents opening there address stone we had made for them.

Uncle Cory enjoying the excitement of the girls.

The girls with Eric's Mother and Grandmother.

What Eric does best, play with his phone.

On to my parents. Brylee really enjoyed her Zhu Zhu pet as did the rest of the kids. We had no idea they would be such a hit.

Maycee loves her "Girls Rock" shirt.

Mom and Dad opening their new Blue Ray player we got them.

The big "Girls" in our family tradition Christmas PJ's.

And the little ones in their jammies.

Daisee started to attack her mother and was pulling her hair and just laughing about it.

Getting ready to pack up and head out. It always takes longer to get everything out than it does to bring it all in.

So that is our Christmas in a nut shell. We had a great time with all our family and love them very much.

Christmas Parties

Our first Ugly Sweater Party. This was a fun night. I was able to visit with friends that I haven't seen for a very long time. We did the white elephant gift exchange and I ended up with a dumb figurine and Eric got a dirty magazine and some lotion. He he he.

This is Amy, our host for the night. Here she is with her massage cream and mitt but I think she ended up with my bottle of wine. She had some awesome red metallic leggings that were a hit.

We attended the FOE Christmas Party with the West Valley City Officers. This was the first year anyone besides the officers has been invited. They felt they needed a way to thank Eric and two of his Guys. We had a fun night and won a Blackberry and a Bud gift set.

Eric and LaMont.

Eric with some of the higher ranked officers. I know that one of them is the Chief.

Daisee's Birthday

My niece Daisee's birthday fell on Thanksgiving so they waited a week and had her party the week after. Here is her Teddy Bear and present cake.

My mom gave her Desiree's rocking chair from when she was little.

New jammies

Toys

Waiting for more presents

Cute hat

Brylee thought she should help

More toys

And these are two pictures that I painted for her for her room.

Thanksgiving

We had Dinner at our house for the second year in a row this year. Last year we put the turkey in a brine for 24 hrs and this year we just did it the ol'fashion way. I did stuff it with onion and garlic. Here it is...

And this is what Brylee thought about it as my father-in-law carved it.

After dinner we enjoyed several games of LCR. It is a dice game that is fun for the whole family. Maycee and Mom taking turns.

Brylee thought she was winning, playing with Eric's Uncle Red.

Maycee and Uncle Cory.

Eric's turn and his mom keeping a close eye on him.

Brylee and I.

Kimberlen the PRO, I think she won the most.