Family Night at the Richards

Ryan and I decided we'd have his sister, brother and their families along with his dad (his mom was still at work) over for Family Home Evening. We had such a great evening! The kids all participated and did a great job helping out to make it a great success. I was able to capture a few pictures of the kids as they played together. They sure have a lot of fun when the all get together and have a hard time parting when it's time to go home. We sure love having family around!

Cooper Carter having his turn with the microphone

Carsey, Abby and JennaAdam, Carsey, Jenna and Abby. Austin was in the kitchen when he discovered that there was left over crushed oreos from the banana splits we had. He couldn't let it be left behind, so he finished it off. "I don't want any ice cream, just the cookies!"

Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas. Adam was, of course, up first but not until 8:00. He patiently waited for a few minutes and until he couldn't hold in his excitement any longer and his excitement woke Jenna.

Ryan first went down to see if Santa had come. He was pleased to announce to the kids that Santa had indeed been here and had eaten the cookies that were left for him.

The kids were excited to open their gifts and give their gifts. Adam was very good at giving everyone a gift, but only until he got involved with his own gifts.

At one point Jenna wanted to open more gifts, so she was unwrapping them as fast as she could while Ryan and I watched and waited to see which one of our gifts it was and what it was. She really got into it this year! :)

Logan's new toy

Jenna still hasn't let Cinderella out of her sight.

Adam's gift from LoganAdam's new Santa Fe Train. I'm not sure how many hours he's spent with this train already.We had the great opportunity to have Dave and Marilyn over while we opened gifts. It was so fun to have them here and be with us Christmas morning.

We got Marilyn and Dave both a BSU shirt...now they can watch the games in style! :)Dave and Marilyn got a huge hummer toy.

Dave's new toyAnd what can be more fun on Christmas than playing with the boxes the toys came in. These boxes provided a lot of entertainment for the kids.

Kids party at Grandma & Grandpa's

Grandma and Grandpa Richards had a party for all the kids. What a fun night it was. First there was pizza. Then some playing...We then went on a hay ride (Grandpa hooked his trailer to his truck, put some hay in it and we went around the driveway loop several times) all while Christmas songs were being sung. The kids all had bells and had a wonderful time doing this activity, even though it was a bit chilly!

Bundled up and ready to head out.

Adam: "That was the best hay ride ever!"

Austin, Abby, Jenna

We then opened some gifts.

And of course did the Nativity.

Jenna as a wise man

I love this picture of Abby as the camel and Carsey as Mary while Austin bends down to give baby Jesus a kiss.Carter as a Shepherd.Thanks Grandma and Grandpa. Adam, Jenna and Logan had a wonderful time.

Christmas Eve 2009

On Christmas Eve we had dinner then made cookies at Grandma and Grandmpa's...

Wrote Santa a letter

And tracked Santa with Grandma!

The kids were so excited!!!

2009 Christmas Tree

This years Christmas Tree extravaganza:
Going to pick out the tree and end up getting one that will be just fine. After all, IT'S FREEZING OUT HERE!!!Now we go home and decorate the tree, but not until Family Night.
While dad is putting the lights on the tree, the kids pretend to be Rodolph the Red Nose Reindeer (or you can just do what your brother does and have no idea why you are holding a light up to your nose).

Can't wait to put the train on the tree.

Everyone helps decorate and re-decorate all through the Holiday season.

The final touch!

And there you have it: Richards 2009 Christmas Tree!

Ward Party

For our ward party, they had the Primary kids dress up as all kinds of things such as dolls, animals, angels, snowflakes and wooden soldiers. Adam just happened to be a wooden soldier this year and I thought he was so darn cute dressed as one!

Root Beer Taste Testing

I think we ended up with 13 different kinds of Root Beer to try out.` We put Mom & Dad to the test first.

Then they had to see if they could figure it out blind-folded.

But maybe someone made one of them a little more special...Jared & Ryan getting a kick out of it!

Not so sure Brook liked that one!

Wondering what to think of that one.

Still trying to decide if that really classifies as Root Beer.

So much fun!!!

Thanksgiving weekend Play Time

Who says big kids can't play too?
Tate and Ryan playing with Adam and Logan's new toys!
Tate and Mom having a great time with the car track. A little Wackie Six

Grandma being a good sport; letting the kids put stickers all over her.

Jenna and Hailey having a little girl time.
Me and my Mom!

Jenna's new buddy

Jenna and my brother, Tate, really had a great time this last weekend. Jenna was really upset when Tate left our home to go stay at Jason's the first night, but was very excited to see him again the next day. The two of them became good pals.

This is Jenna snuggling up to Tate after she was crying for a while because she couldn't find him.

Christmas at Thanksgiving

Because most of my family was in Boise for Thanksgiving, we decided to have our own little Christmas. Jared and Joy hosted this at their house and it was wonderful! We had a very nice, yummy dinner, made a craft manger, told Christmas experiences and opened gifts. It was such a great evening!

Braden and Jenna trying to blow out the candles...this is very funny for two year olds! :)Making our family Manger

Jenna opening her gift from Grandma and Grandpa. When she first opened the paper, she exclaimed, "A BOX." Little did we know she would have been happy with just a box, but she loves her new dress and bracelet.
Adam opening up his new Thomas Pajama's from Grandma and Grandpa. He has been wanting new Thomas PJ's for a very long time.