Merry Christmas 2011

It's Christmas and I am rededicating myself to the blogging world!  Quick Christmas recap: many great gifts (both given and received), lots of family hopping which also means more driving than I'd wish for on such a day but it was worth it, way too much candy, new climbing gear for all (Dave and I, that is), warmer weather than should be allowed for Christmas day, church, and a big mess to clean up (also worth it).  I am just realizing that it's 8:42 PM and I didn't really get any pictures from today.  I seem to remember some background flashing going on at my mom's house so I am sure there are some candids I can try to get my hands on somewhere.  All said and done the day was great and I am one super blessed person.


Update:  David read my post and decided to fix the sad picture situation but I am still going to be looking for the candids.....

Our tree has mostly home-made decorations on it this year because I am too cheap to buy decorations before Christmas knowing that they will all be greatly discounted after Christmas.  I did the same thing last year but when the sales rolled around I was still to cheap to buy anything.  I kicked myself as I strung popcorn and learned that stringing popcorn takes a fair amount of time, energy, and finger pokes.

This nativity was a gift for Dave and I from Grandma Pat and I don't know if I could be more excited about it.  The Larsen family nativity has also fallen victim to my tight wad issue, Christmas decor addition.  But, now I don't have to worry about getting one for us at all because this one is much much better than what I had in mind!  I absolutely love it. 

The mess.

HA! I knew there was a candid out there, I just found these pictures on my mommy's blog (www.sheisourangel.blogspot.com/):

Christmas morning at the Kirton's house

Christmas Eve party at Grandma C's house. 

Gingerbread house making night a few weeks before Christmas.  Those cute kids are all 7 of our nieces and nephews from my side of the family and the Larsen house is the one furthest to the right.