Christmas in Spokane

For the first time in 5 years I was home for CHRISTMAS!!!  Just being around family makes such a difference during the holiday season.  We scored big on our after Thanksgiving shopping and were excited for Christmas to come.  This year we seemed to not stick to a budget.  (Thanks Casey!) Some how that just didn't seem as fun as buy what we wanted for the kids and and other people. 

We started the season with Elf on the shelf.  We named our elf Hurbby and he turned out to be alot of fun.  We started out strong finding fun things for Hurbby to do but ened up forgetting to move him a few times later on in the process.  The kids liked talking to Hurbby and telling him what they wanted for Christmas. 

We took the kids on a Christmas cruise to see Santa.  I really do remember the trip to be much longer but the kids enjoyed hearing their names be read by Santa knowing they were on the "good list".  The best part of the cruise was watching Santa try and read all the kids names that were on the ship and laughing because he couldn't pronounce them.  I'm so glad it wasn't me trying to read all those names.

Grandma and Grandpa Doggett took us all on a drive to see Christmas lights.  We listened to Christmas music and LOVED seeing all the pretty lights.  Its wasn't quite as intertaning as the Bluefield light show with Christmas aliens and lockness monsters but it was a close second.

Finally it was Christmas Eve!!!  We spent the morning with the Doggett family and did a gift exchange.  Or it may have been more of a nurf gun collection.  Either way it was a great time.  Then we were able to play outside and then go to a candle light serves with my family.  Unfurtunatly Elliot and Arianna weren't able to make it to the service as they needed to nap (badly!)  Once we finished we came home, picked up the kids and headed out to Grandma Kathy's and Grandpa Randy's house!  There we had a wonderful Christmas dinner followed by PRESENT OPENING!!!  After the festivites we made our way back home for some good sleep before Santa came by.

Christmas morning we were up and at it at 5:48 am!  Santa had come!!!!!  The kids were actually really good about finding their stockings, opening them and then waiting for uncle Ben to get up.  While they waited they had their chocolate and vinella milk while watching a Christmas move.  At about 7 am we opening the pressents.  The kids scored big!  They are SOOOOO loved!  I on the other hand I didn't just have a good christmas I had a FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS!  Yes, the gifts I recieved will not be out mached but the fact that I was able to spend Christmas with my family was even more of a blessing.  But just to refresh my memory i lwas lucky enough to recieve one or Rex's (my father in-law) Canondale bikes.  This bike is a thing of beauty!  I also go the top of the line Kitchen Aid from Cheryl and Randy (Casey's mom and step dad).  I have wanted one of these since I can remember.  Then Casey went above and beyond the budget for 12 Christmas's and got me snow boots and snow pants (rex and marcy helped), cycling clothing (so i can try and look as good as my new ride) a gift card to go get some much needed clothing and home decorations.  I am one lucky girl!

Casey didn't do too bad himself.  I was able to score a great deal on a hicking back bake and got alot of the gear to go with it. 

I love my large extended family!  I couldn't ask for a better support system and to be a part of my life.  I thank God for giving me crazy people in my life that I call my husband and kids.