Christmas 2011!

Christmas Eve, Jay and Josh returned after hangin' out with their mom for a few hours.  We spent the evening watching an old Christmas video from 2005. Josh and Jay had a good laugh watching themselves and realizing how much both they and our house have changed over the years.  Then we played Parcheesi (Josh is the reining champ).  Judy and Chester arrived, and we all played a hilarious game of Pictionary together!  Way too much fun!!!

Christmas morning!

Stuffed stockings!

Gifts ready and waiting!

Jay and Josh ready to open up their stockings

Deja checkin' out hers

She was pretty excited!!!

Josh gettin' some Deja love!

Deja and her canine Christmas candy cane! Yum!

Mike and I created another Christmas scavenger hunt for the kids, but this time with a twist. There were only 5 clues that were a little easier to find.  However, in each envelope there were letters that had to be unscrambled. The solved puzzles were hints regarding the final gift!

First solved puzzle: "Spring Break"

Second solution

Third unscrambled word

They found the last clue in the laundry room...

They were really getting the hang of solving the puzzles by this point, and even though there were multiple letters, Josh figured it out...

Yahoo!  Waterpark, Galaxyland, hockey games, shopping, true movie theatres...here we come!!!

The aftermath!

Time to open Christmas gifts!  Mike bought me a new digital camera!!!

Judy and Chester bought us a gift that had to opened in order.  Josh opened #1: a Yukon flag.  Jay opened #2: a Canadian flag...

I opened #3: a Nirvana flag... for  the 3 flag poles at our cabin!!! (Very cool, Judes!)

Jay got a homemade quilt from Great Grandma Irene! (Lucky girl!)  Josh immediately recognized some of the material from a baby bassinet! Impressive!

Jay and Josh posing while I try out my new camera!!!

Jay got the grooviest new suitcase from Cheryl & Keith.  Inside, was a travel make-up/toiletries bag and that was full of cool stuff too! Awesome gift!

Mike opening up his gift from Josh & Jay.  Hmmmm, (shake, shake) what could this be?

"Okay, nice tape job, Jay.  Hand me the scissors."

Love the expression and so glad the camera caught it!  Mike was so surprised and happy!  It was exactly what he wanted, and neither of us expected the kids to buy this for him...

...a welding helmet, the one he's been looking at for half a year now! (Very, very cool of Josh and Jay to spend their own money and time buying such an appreciated gift for their dad!!!)

Then I was handed a gift from Josh & Jay!

They bought me earrings and a necklace! (Thanks so much!!!) I wore the necklace that night, and I've been wearing the earrings for 7 days straight now (and counting)!

Dad sent me a McNally genealogy book and "The World of McNally: A Decade of History by a Great Canadian Cartoonist", a book about Uncle Ed, my grandpa (who was also a cartoonist)'s brother.  Very interesting!  Can't wait to make some time to sit down and read them more closely.  I'll try to remember to scan some the political cartoons and share them!

More work safety gear for Mike!  This time it's for chainsawing!  He received two sets of chainsaw chaps too!!!

Josh & Jay both received some Aeropostale clothing from us as well!

Jay opening her p.j. set, while Josh wondered why he didn't get such soft, fuzzy slippers...

Jay and Josh sporting their new Team Canada jerseys to wear while watching the games!

We opened Christmas presents with my mom Skype-style!!! It worked out really well.  Almost felt like we were together for the holidays!

We went to Karen & Joe's for Christmas dinner, which was absolutely delicious!!! (I think that might be an understatement.)  Krystal organized all the kids so they could pull Christmas Crackers together!

The big kids (Josh & Jay) took the lead and tried to help the littler ones...

Mia, Great Grandma Irene, and Jaylene worked together...

Yay!  Shnazzy party hats!

Uncle Joe

Helene, Madison, and Mia

Jay & Josh

Too funny! (Bahaha)

Chester & Judy, looking beautiful and in love!

Kasey (Wow, couldn't believe how big she was!!!)

Jay Jay

Judy and Irene... working away, as usual! (We appreciate it!  You two are amazing!)

Josh crashed out!