A Christmas Celebration with the Dustin's

The kids were nestled all snug in their beds... and were still even at 9am on Christmas morning!

But you know what? I was okay with that! I was able to sleep in a little bit!

After a long night of going through family traditions, like reading 'A Child's Christmas in Wales' and listening to Great Grandpa Dustin talk about his Christmas's, and then stuffing stockings, we were all a little tired. 

Every time a member is added to the family, Grandma gets out her sewing machine and makes them a stocking to fill for Christmas. It wasn't until the evening of the 23rd that I realized we didn't bring our stockings. I felt pretty bad, but since that was the only thing I forgot to bring along, I thought I did pretty good. Plus Em & Colin forgot theirs too! They used pillowcases, I used Trigger's stocking (Cameron's dog), Perry used his dad's stocking, and the boys used the bags our neighbors had given to them. Luckily it all worked out!

While last minute things were being finished up before the boys came up stairs, Kiki and I spent a few minutes taking pictures in front of her stocking. When Perry and his siblings were young, they used to run up the stairs to the master bedroom with pillowcases over their heads so they couldn't see what Santa brought them in the living room. Like tradition, the boys participated in this activity as well. They carefully walked up the stairs, as we giggled about the drool stains on JP's pillowcase. Hunter did fine when he got to the top of the stairs, but poor JP ate it on the last one.

 Once we were all in the master bedroom, coffee and pastries (and the usual Scandinavian Kringler) were brought in for a morning snack. Some how in all the commotion, Hunter managed to escape and got in a lot of trouble. While I comforted him, JP drank his hot chocolate, and even walked Hunter's over to him to cheer him up. Though it didn't work, we all thought it was SO sweet of him! Brotherly love!

 As soon as Hunter was able to start opening presents though, he was in a much better mood! Charlotte even tried to unwrap her presents by herself!

  Everyone had a fun time opening their stockings!

Guess who's excited about Jelly Beans?! Dad was super excited about the catapult in his stocking as well. He immediately wanted to assemble it, but luckily we were able to talk him out of it.

 Charlotte had quite the loot to open too! Lots of bibs, socks, and toys!

 When all the stocking presents were opened, Hunter and JP raced out to the living room to find the trampoline Santa brought them. They were so excited! After bouncing for a while, we took them outside to check on the Reindeer Dust (JP brought it home from preschool and made sure it was packed) they sprinkled outside the night before so Santa could find his way to the house. They were very concerned he wouldn't be able to find them since we weren't at home. Although they were disappointed the reindeer didn't eat the oats, they cheered up when I mentioned the reindeer peed in the snow (thanks dogs!) and dropped a few bells off the sleigh. 

 They could hardly contain themselves when it came time to open presents. I'm not sure who was more excited about this gift, Hunter, Aunt Em, or Dad?

 All the grandkids had a bunch of presents to open!

Instead of everyone grabbing presents out from under the tree, the Dustin's usually have a rotating "Santa" who wears a Santa hat. Unfortunately the hat was misplaced so these reindeer antlers were used instead.

JP was a kick to watch open presents. "What is Jim?!" "I don't know! I have to open it to find out! .... I got a box!!!" 

 And speaking of excited, Uncle Colin was excited to get these touchscreen compatible gloves for Christmas. And I was just excited he was here for Christmas since my camera lens took a dump on me and stopped autofocusing, he let me use one of his extras. THANK GOODNESS!

 And again we were so thankful for these bags from our neighbors because they help to corral the boys' toys and keep them separated. I've stashed them away for use next year!

 Charli enjoyed her first Christmas too. I think this little dolly from Nanny and Papa might just be her favorite toy though!

 Aunt Kile sent these cool glasses over with Aunt Bobby when she came to town and as soon as JP opened the present, he shouted, "Just like I've always wanted!!!" He was uncontrollably excited!

I was pretty excited about the new pair of footie pajamas Perry gave me. And then I had to explain why he calls them birth control jammies....

 

There was even more excitement when the boys were given sleds. They were super anxious to take them outside! (Be on the lookout for the sledding post coming soon!)

After all the presents were opened, and sledding was finished, we all sat down, at 8:45p for a nice prime rib dinner. Yumm! A wonderful Christmas filled with lots of memories!

'Tis the Season for Cookie Decorating

I have yet to attend one of the Dustin's big cookie decorating parties where family and friends are invited over for an afternoon of fun decorating cookies. A party was in the works this year, but didn't quite make it to the itinerary. Luckily we were able to squeeze it in between events. 

Although I have one of the cutest little nephews, he sure is a stinker and unfortunately isn't letting mom eat dairy products. Throughout the week we've been altering recipes here and there so she can eat the same things we are. 

 So on Sunday afternoon this temporarily-vegan momma set out to make dairy free dough for the sugar cookies. 

 Somehow I was wrangled in to the the tedious task of cutting out the cookies. I was excited to finally have a helper when JP showed up!

 He was super excited to cut out objects, but we ended up re-rolling his dough a few times as some of the objects were over lapping and some just fell apart when he picked them up. 

 

Once we had all the cookies baked, we stashed them away until we found a good time to frost them all. The cookie eaters didn't have to wait too long to devour them as Aunt Em and Grandma made frosting and spread out the decorating supplies Monday morning (before breakfast!).

 
This snowflake was one of the cookies JP helped to cut out. And he was SO focused on frosting it that it took...at least 7 minutes to complete. And before anyone could tell him differently, he ate it. And it took twice as long to eat as it did to frost.

 I think it's safe to say everyone enjoyed frosting cookies. There would be more but a lot of the "bad ones" were eaten before they were allowed to dry...

 Hunter was SO focused when he was decorating. That's a side of him I hardly get to see!

 
 I love getting my picture taken with my kids - especially when they are looking super cute, like Hunter!

 You can tell by the overload of frosting which ones my children did...

I have quite a few pictures of Uncle Cameron....And they ALL have turned out like this...Sorry Cameron!

Let's Play Go Fish

We've recently attempted to play the card game, Go Fish, with Hunter and JP. I thought it was about time we taught them how to play, since they, for the most part, know their numbers and can match cards. We bought a special deck of cards for Hunter for his birthday, which in case you're interested, can be found here. Here's what transpired when he opened it:

H - *excitement gasp* What is it?
M - It's a deck of cards to play Go Fish.
H - *proceeds to open the deck and look through them*
J - We can play Go Fish, or Go Shark, or Go Octopus, or Go Jellyfish, or Go Whale...
M - Or we could just play Go Fish.
J - Or we could play Go Seahorse.

A few days later we laid down on the floor together to play Go Fish Shark. This was excruciatingly hard for both Perry and I. Perry did opt out of actually playing and *volunteered* to be on JP's team, since holding the cards, without showing anyone, was a huge problem for him. I seriously need to set up a camera one of these times while we play. Here's a sample of what happens.

M - Okay, Hunter you start. Ask someone for a card.
H - Do you have a 21?
P - There isn't a 21 in the deck. You have to have the card in your hand to ask for it.
H - Do you have the jellyfish?
M - Who are you asking?
H - Jimmer Skipper.
Mom and Dad refrain from laughter.
J - Okay. Let me check here. What number is it?
H - It's a 21.
M - *Looks at card* That's an 11.
H - Do you have an 11?
J - Okay. Let me check. 2...3..5..9...10...12. No I don't have one. Go Shark.
H - *Draws from the deck* OOO I GOT A 2!!
M - Hunter you can't tell everyone what you just got. Put it in you hand. And if it matches one that is already in your hand, put them together. Jim, your turn. Ask someone for a card.
P - Jim, ask Hunter for this one.
J - *Ignores Dad* Hunter do you have an octopus? (His favorite card.)
H - Let me check. *Proceeds to lay his cards face up on the floor before mom stops him* What number is it?
J - Uh let me check....I don't know.
P - Jim you don't even have an 8 in your hand.
J - Hunter, do you have a 3?
H - Nope. Go Whale.
M - My turn. Jim, do you have a 6? It has a stingray on it.
J - Uh let me check....2...3...5
P - Jim you can't say your cards out loud or everyone will know what you have.
M - So look again, do you have a 6?
J - Let me check ....9...10...12. Uh. Nope. Go Seahorse.
M - Hunter, your turn ask someone for a card.
H - Do you have a 5?
M - Who are you asking?
H - Mommy.
M - No, I don't have a 5. Go
J - I HAVE ONE!!! HERE!!
P - Shhh! Keep that one in your hand - Hunter asked mom for 5 not you. How about you ask Hunter for a 5 now since it's your turn.
J - Mom do you have a 5?
M - *Hand smacks forehead*

Somehow we have now made it through 4 games of Go "Whatever Sea Creature You Want" and it looks like they still have plenty to learn. Mostly strategy. It is painfully hard for me to not win every time because at some point I have to ask for the card that will give me sets or the game will never end...unless I flash my cards to JP's helper... I am surprised as to how well JP is doing with his numbers though. With more practice they'll be masters...someday. And in the meantime I'm just glad they enjoy playing with us!

Until We Meet Again...

If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, 

we belong to the Lord. 

- Romans 14:8

Grandpa John holding his first grandson, little Hunter, as a baby, and at his 2nd Christmas.

The birthday boy with his family.

And then their were two grandsons.

Hunter riding the tractor with Grandpa.

Spending time with the grandkids in Oregon.

And then there were three grand children.

Surprise! Happy Father's Day!

The whole family visiting Garnet Ghost Town.

Grandpa with the grandkids.

Family picture in the beloved jeep.

A Saturday with Grandpa - carousel, helicopters, and trains.

Before we arrived at the cabin for Grandpa's final days, Hunter asked to have "just one more jeep ride with Grandpa" before he goes to Heaven. Wish granted.

Goodbye Grandpa, you were loved by many and will be in our hearts forever!