Birkinshaw Christmas Party

Christmas Eve was the Birkinshaw Christmas Party at my cousin Calie and Dave's house in Salem. This party started out when I was a kid and was always at my Grandpa and Grandma Birkinshaw's house and was with my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins there was around 24 of us. It has now grown so much with some of the grandkids married and now all the great grandkids added to the family. There were just 7 not there and even with them missing there was still 31 of us, I think.

We always have good food, it is nice to see family we don't see that often, and then there is always gift exchanges. Thanks Calie and Dave for sharing your house with so many of us for a night.

I forgot my camera so just snapped a couple with my phone that didn't turn out very good.

Bennett Christmas Party

December 17th was the Bennett Christmas Party. We always have a good time there with all the good food, socializing with family (some we see all the time and then some not so often), playing the fun and wild games, and then the kids get really excited with a visit from Santa Clause.


Houston hitting the pinata


Peyton hitting the pinata while peeking under the blind fold


Houston gathering up all the broken candy canes and garbage none of the other kids wanted


The kids playing musical chairs


Houston wasn't too sure about Santa at first but then warmed up to him


Peyton has always loved Santa



Peyton with her cousins Preslie and Raylee showing off what Santa brought them


Houston playing with the truck, trailer and skidsteer that Santa brought him

Not Much New With Us

It seems like we have been nothing but busy but I can't seem to think of anything we have done that really stands out.

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend. My mom was able to come to town again so that is always nice to be able to spend time with her. She flew in on Wednesday, we had Thanksgiving dinner at my Grandma Pat's, the rest of the weekend we mostly spent trying to get a lot of our Christmas shopping done, and then she went back on Monday leaving a big box of gifts for the kids for 27 Days of Christmas. That's right, we don't do just the traditional 12 Days at our house. Not with my mom involved anyways. The kids are really enjoying it. Thanks mom!

Since then we have just been doing the day to day things while trying to get ready for Christmas. Bradyn has started working on the basement a little again while keeping busy at work. And I don't seem to have many spare moments with work, running Peyton around to school and dance, Houston has turned into a wild man, and we have been watching the National Finals Rodeo on tv every night for the last 9 nights. I have enjoyed it, but am looking forward to something else to put my attention on at nights after tomorrow.

I am usually really good about snapping pictures, but when I pulled out my camera to take these pictures of the kids today I had to blow off dust. Enjoy! I thought they turned out pretty cute even with my not so fancy camera. I had to make sure it still works in time for the busy next couple weeks with parties and the holidays.