Post Christmas Fun

We filled up the week after Christmas with all sorts of activities. Our whole family isn't together very often, and we wanted to take advantage of the time as much as we could. One of the nice things about being home at this time was being able to be there for mom while she had a couple treatments. The first time she went through her cancer treatments, we were thousands of miles away and I felt helpless. At least during this trip, Kristie and I were able to be in charge of a lot of the meals and cooking, and everyone was able to do help with cleanup and many other things. One day we all spent the day together organizing closets & toys, cleaning bathrooms, doing laundry, vacuuming, etc. It brought back lots of memories of working together when we were young. I sometimes wonder how I thought of those times as anything but fun? I love working together with the family.

Anyway, we were able to do a lot of fun things together the week after Christmas. It wouldn't be a Christmas vacation without at least one night of dodgeball/playing at the church. It's one of the highlights for the kids as well as the adults.

Kristie wasn't able to participate in the dodgeball because of a recent surgery. She was sweet enough to play with the girls out in the hallway with nursery toys while the craziness went on in the gym.

Mom & Dad got the kids these bouncy bouncers for Christmas and we decided to take them down to the gym with us. Everyone had fun bouncing around on them, and a few of us ended up having races across the gym. It was hilarious to watch! We definitely need to make that a tradition.
Another day, Dad organized a service project for our family. We were able to go to the home of a single sister in the stake and do a bunch of yardwork for her. We spent a few hours clearing out the garden, digging up weeds and stumps, raking leaves, repairing a sprinkler, and other things to get the yard looking great. The kids were helpful and we enjoyed the beautiful day outside together.




Of course there was still plenty of time to enjoy being at home together. We played games, watched movies, talked, snuck in some naps, and enjoyed being on vacation.

Travis and the boys playing a game on his iphone.

Jacob and Caleb hanging out with Brent. Brent is a student and wrestler at BSU. He needed a place to live during the school year, and my parents volunteered, so he's been living with my parents since the beginning of the school year. It's been so great to have him there. He and Cole have become best friends. He is one of the coolest guys ever, and just seems like a part of the family. He has such a fun personality and is always making everyone laugh. Jeff and Brent get along awesome because they both love wrestling and our boys absolutely adore him- and he is always playing with them and spending time with them. Brent is just another family member and we're going to be sad when it's time for him to leave.

Another night we arranged for a babysitter to be home with the kids and the adults went out to dinner at Casa Mexico. I think this was another one of the highlights of the trip. We pretty much had the place to ourselves and enjoyed some awesome Mexican food. It was so fun to be together as adults and be able to just talk and laugh for a couple hours together. I don't even remember everything we were talking about, but I know there were more funny stories shared and I laughed a lot. I'm so glad that all the siblings and spouses enjoy being together so much. Everyone loves each other and time together is our favorite. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful family that loves each other.

This was a Tanner year, so we spent most of the time with family, but we were able to take a few visits over to visit with Mom & Dad Stevens and the family as well. A couple days after Christmas we went over for a few hours. We had a delicious lunch and opened Christmas gifts. Mom & Dad Stevens went all out with amazing homemade gifts this year. Mom made each child a special individual pillowcase, and Mom & Dad put together these amazing bear claw necklaces for the boys. They were a huge hit!

Emily got a beautiful initial 'E' necklace and a darling quilt that mom made along with the pillowcase and some other fun toys and treats. She was in heaven!

Matthew & Grandpa with his cool necklace and pillowcase.

Caleb loved the bow and arrows! He looked a like a real hunter holding it with his bear claw necklace.

Jacob loved the nylon bracelet Grandpa made for him, and the bear claw necklace as well. He also loved the fish pillowcase. I think the very first thing he did when we got home from our long trip was to go down and put the new pillowcase on his pillow. He loves fishing, and was thrilled. In fact he told me he wished he could have an entire bed set with the same fishing material.

Mom and Dad also spoiled us with some wonderful books, some workout clothes and shirts, some beautiful jewelry, washcloths, dishtowels, and lots of other fun things. We sure appreciate their thoughtfulness and love spending time with them.