CHRISTMAS 2008

We hope that everyone of you had a very Merry Christmas!

I think the camera was tilted because the tree isn't. --more camera learning.

Our family had an enjoyable Christmas day, which began quite late when compared to many of yours I'm sure. I got up at about 4:30 AM, not because I was necessarily excited that Santa had come (although he did, and I was), but that is about the time I get up every day. I'm not sure what time Doug got up, but he came upstairs somewhere around 8:30 AM. Jamie got up about an hour later, and Tyson woke at 11:00 AM. When we were all up and moving around we gathered in the living room and opened gifts and ate our traditional Christmas breakfast. Santa and the kids treated everyone VERY well this year! ....oh, and so did the dog's and tooth fairy. Yes, there were presents under the tree from the dog's and the tooth fairy. Gifts from the dog are not unheard of at our house, but the tooth fairy?? When we asked Doug about the gift from the tooth fairy (him), he made the comment; "In these tuff economic times the tooth fairy had to step up and help out". He is quite a character (Batman...shhh)

Kerrie and I have the MOST WONDERFUL children anyone could ever hope for, all three are amazing. They are very kind, loving and generous.

After we finally got things started it was a busy and fun day. Grandpa and Grandma Anderson came down at about noon to see what everyone had received and to take a couple of pictures. It is always nice to have them stop and visit. They are very good to us.

This is a picture of Rhea. We took one of Richard, but we are just learning how to use the new camera that Kerrie got, and it didn't work.

We then relaxed and tried to figure out our new toys for a couple of hours, then we headed to Grandpa and Grandma Mickelson's. Usually there is somewhere around 30-40 people running around and it is quite busy, but this year there was a total of 12, including grandpa and grandma. As most of you are aware I'm sure, we had some pretty nasty snow storms Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I think we got about 12 inches at our house Christmas night-- thank goodness for a snow blower! Since the roads were snow-packed and icy, Diana and her family did not make it down from Logan. Janet's father-in-law passed away on the 23rd and their family spent the day with her mother-in-law. David's wife had a baby that was brand new, so they decided they best stay home. Glenn and his family live next door to grandpa and grandma, so they were there, and we drove down from Bountiful.

We had a nice evening of visiting and food. Below are a couple of pictures while we were in the living room visiting.

Grandma Mickelson loves her picture taken (just like I do-- not), so Jamie decided to step in and make it a little more fun. I love this picture!

As I said, I do not care to have my picture taken, but I've learned over the years that most of the time it isn't optional. I'm not sure whether Jamie was telling me to take a time-out, but I think that must be what is going on here. :-)

Okay, now we're ready...or at least as ready as I get.

Jamie was very proud of herself for getting in the pictures with her grandma and I... I think this is a cute picture.

After we ate dinner and visited for a few minutes, it was time for the Wii bowling competition to begin! Grandpa and grandma's children went in together and purchased them a Wii and a couple of games for Christmas. We had a great time, and if I remember right, grandma won the bowling competition between her and grandpa. -- There will be a next time I'm sure, and I'll bet grandpa will have the game mastered by then... watch out. ;0)

Doug was grandpa and grandma's bowling "coach" for the evening, and as you can see, he had lots of instruction and tips to provide.

As you can see, Dustin was having a great time, as were we all!

Whoot hoot! Grandma wins.

After we all had a chance to humiliate ourselves (not really, it was awesome!) we left for home. As soon as we got on the freeway it was snowing, and very quickly became a blizzard with white-out conditions. The roads were very snow packed, and our average speed was somewhere between 35-40 MPH the entire way home. Fortunately, we all made it safe.

As you can see we had a very nice day, and hope you all did the same.

*NOTE: Kerrie & Tyson were present the entire day, however, just like grandpa Anderson, not 1 picture worked. --we will learn to use the camera before the next holiday.