The Chase Gang

Friday, December 26, 2008

The Good and Bad of Christmas Day

The good was that it was finally Christmas. The bad was that Courtney woke me up at about 7 am and told me that she didn't fell well. By 7:10, she was throwing up and and she did that ALL DAY! Poor baby. But, despite that, we did have a good day. We had my parents, my brother, my step-brother and his wife and son all over for brunch. We ate, exchanged gifts, and watched the Suns game. We usually go out to a movie on Christmas day, but we couldn't this year because of Sickie, so we stayed home and watched a few movies. It was a good day. The rain made it awesome. And side note....Courtney is feeling much better today.

Connor is cool with getting clothes.

Courtney in between throw ups.

Caitlin

Courtney and her new scriptures

Connor and his bow & arrow set

Caitlin and her Nintendo DS

The new bikes!

Courtney resting on the couch

Uncle Scotty & Caitlin

The Scotts...Scotty on the left and Scott on the right

Christmas Eve

This year, we invited Kort & Amy and Kamon & Bonnie to go to dinner with us (Arribas) and then back to our house to watch The Nativity Story. (Well, Kamon & Bonnie didn't come back to our house, and Kort & Amy left early so it was just us who watched the movie.) The kids also got to open their traditional Christmas Eve pajamas. They tried to talk us into letting them open ONE more gift, but we didn't give in. We did, however, let them give out their gifts to each other, which was fun to watch. The movie was great, and really helped us turn our hearts back to the true meaning of Christmas...the birth of Christ. It's a great movie. If you haven't watched it, you should. Then the kids went to bed, and Hugh and I finished up our Christmas duties. :)

Courtney bought picture frames for everyone

and put her favorite pictures in them....great gifts

Connor gave Courtney Slim Jims...her favorite snack

Caitlin gave Dad a Red Bull

Christmas Pajamas!!! Slippers too!

Christmas Eve Eve

Each year on Christmas Eve Eve, we get together with Hugh's ENTIRE family. There's easily over 100 people there (I counted 107 last year, but didn't count this year). Years ago, the tradition was to get together at Hugh's grandparents house, but we outgrew that. So, we moved on to Aunt Julie's and we took up every square inch of that house. We outgrew that as well. So we've moved on to cultural halls. This year was at the Ashland Building (Hugh's mom's ward) and we had lots of food and lots of fun. It's so great to get to see everybody. We have lots of pregnant women.....Jamie C., Kammy, Amy, Jenny, Clarisssa, and Shea. All due in 2009. So, our numbers will increase for next year.

Grandpa Ollerton, Kolby & Karlie

The "Aunts" singing....Julie, Patsy, Peggy, Mom & Susan

Courtney & Avril

Adorable Karlie....love this picture

Aunt Susan & I

This was the best shot I could get of everybody.

Me with Charlie, Mike with Rach, his wife Jamie

and there's Kolby trying to sneak in the picture.

Kolby, Chris, Karl & Chantae

Studs

Monday, December 22, 2008

1st Annual Adult Christmas Party

When Hugh was a teenager, he and his sister Kim were always invited to the Adult Christmas Party. This party was comprised of Hugh's parents, and his mom's sisters and their husbands, and Hugh's grandparents and great grandparents. (I remember being Hugh's date to this party when we were seniors in high school). For some reason, Hugh & Kim were always invited to the party, even though they were teenagers. And it was something they looked forward to each year. Well, after the other cousins got older and got married, it was their right to be invited to the Adult Christmas Party. Pretty soon, the aunts & uncles & grandparents were being overrun by the nieces and nephews! So, it went back to the original plan.....AUNTS, UNCLES, AND GRANDPARENTS ONLY!! Hugh has decided that we need to bring back the Adult Christmas Party, and we did. Last night, we had Hugh's brothers & sisters over, with their spouses, and Hugh's parents, for dinner. It was so nice. We ate, exchanged a few gifts, and played a wicked game of Pictionary (the women won....of course!!) It was so fun. We will be doing it again next year. Can't wait! It's so fun when we all get together. I love my kids to pieces, as well as all of my nieces and nephews, but it is so nice when the adults can all get together to just talk and laugh. We always have such a good time.

My Christmas tree

We moved all of the furniture out and put up

these two tables.

Hugh trying to score some points

for the guys....no such luck

Kort attempting to draw at Pictionary

Mom & Bob

Kammy & Mom (Kammy was husbandless because Mo

is in Tonga visiting family)

Karl & Chantae (ok, we did let ONE kid in past the

doorman, but babysitting was an issue)...Kort & Amy

Wayde & Kim looking oh, so happy....Kolby & Lynette

& Dad

Toy Soldiers

The entire 5th grade at Desert Harbor made these adorable soldiers out of clay pots, paint, beads, and lots and lots of love. And because we are blessed enought to have two 5th graders, we got two soldiers!! Courtney & Connor couldn't wait until Christmas for us to open them, so we opened them on Saturday night. Aren't they cute?

Snowboarding anyone??

Hugh & Connor have waited all year for this.....the Opening of Snowbowl!! The two of them, plus Karl & a friend of his, drove up to Flagstaff early this morning and spent the entire day snowboarding. They had a great time. The conditions were great, plus it snowed all day! The drive home took forever because of the weather, but they made it home safe and sound. One of these days the girls and I will join them.

Yippee! We're going snowboarding!

What a stud...

On the lift

Awwww....isn't that sweet?

Nice driving conditions, huh?

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Traditions

I love this time of year because it is rich with tradition. I have been thinking a lot about our family traditions lately, so I thought I'd share a few of them with you......

Our Easter Egg Cracking Competition
Potato Soup for Halloween - this was started by Hugh's late grandmother over 60 years ago
The Polar Express trip
Our Christmas Eve Eve gathering - this is for Hugh's entire family and last year there were over 100 people there.....it's an amazing night
Pajamas on Christmas Eve
Watching The Nativity Story on Christmas Eve
Christmas morning breakfast burritos with my parents and brother
Going to the movies on Christmas day
Christmas dinner/party with Hugh's parents and siblings.....this is a tradition that Hugh's mom has with her sisters and their husbands that we are now carrying on with our generation. This is the first year we will be doing this (it's at our house next weekend) but it is the first of many
The Christmas Jar - if you have not read this book, you must.....again, this is our first year implementing this tradition, and we couldn't be happier about it

I realize that most of these traditions revolve around Christmas, and that's ok. I'm excited that our kids recognize these traditions and are excited for each and every one of them. What are some of your traditions??

Polar Express 2008

We just got back from our 2nd annual pilgrimage to the North Pole aboard the Polar Express. There were 32 of us there! We took up 9 rooms in our "wing" of the hotel. We all met at Mom & Bob's room for treats (she had her room all Christmased up...it looked great) and pajamas for all of the grandkids. We then caravaned to Williams to board the train. The train ride is so fun.....the story of the Polar Express is read to the all aboard, and then a surprise visit from Santa himself!!! He walks through each car on the train to give all the kids a bell. It's so fun to see the expressions on the kids' faces. This was followed up by a fabulous rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas, and some other fun Christmas songs. When the ride was over, we headed back to the hotel for late night pizza and more visiting. On Friday, we all went to the Deer Farm to feed and pet the deer and other furry little creatures. We then headed home, but took the scenic drive through Oak Creek & Sedona, which is always gorgeous. The ONLY downside to our trip this year was that there was NO SNOW. Last year, it was a BLIZZARD up there, and made our first trip magical. Oh well. It was still an amazing time. The kids were all on their best behavior, and it was so fun to watch my kids take care of their baby cousins. I can't wait for next year!! Thanks Grandma Pam & Grandpa Bob!!