The Stevie Times: All things Christmas...

Okay... first things first.

Got to post pictures of these (pain-in-the-butt-pattern-that-I-had-fair-warning-about) stockings.

They are the same pattern that my mom used to make the stocking I had growing up.

Although Pinterest tempted me with a lot of other really fun ideas (some darling burlap ones trimmed with lace) I kept coming back to the ones I grew up with.

So here they are...

Drum. Roll. Please.

.....

....

...

Ta Da!!!

I know, I worked it up to be a lot more than they really are.

But I love them. So much that I cut out NINE stockings altogether.

Some for when our family grows...

and others for guests and eventually...

son/daughter in laws. *yikes*

Here is one thing that I stole from Pinterest.

I loved the look of the ribbon hanging the stocking by.

My mom taught me how to do the simple Chain-Stitch so I could embroider on our names.

It took several hours, but it was so worth it in the end.

Anyway. I love them, and am so happy I FINALLY made them.

(even if I stayed up until 5 or 6 in the morning to do so)

On to the rest of Christmas festivities!!

There was some overlap in time of when Roberta was visiting Utah, so I drove clear in the heck to Spanish Fork to Michelle's house to hang out.

And Michelle.... where are you? The middle of nowhere?!!!
Okay... not really, it was right off the freeway, but it was quite a drive.

So worth it.

We made sugar cookies, ate pancakes, had story time, tickle attacks, and more!

Sarah was loving being with cousins (with Hallie & Richard).

The kiddos were entranced with the tree. I thought this was such a darling picture.

It was so fun to have all NINE kids together, and to think Sarah is the oldest... at FIVE!!!

Craziness!

It was lots of fun. I'm so glad that it came together the way it did.

We even ended our day with a trip to City Creek for dinner and a walk over to the lights on Temple Square.

Oh... had to post a couple of these.

Ryan didn't even get into town until the evening of the 21st,

so for me that is when it really felt like Christmas Vacation began.

The next real Christmasy thing we did was on Christmas Eve.

My Mom was is in a Bell Choir during Christmas, and so we started the evening going to a little old church right by the Capitol to watch her play. It was even more special because they had someone who needed a sub... and guess who filled it?

No, not me... you crazy?

My amazing sister, Brooke.

She had done it the two previous years, but obviously couldn't do it anymore because she now lives in Washington. So for her, I think it was really fun to get to participate as well, I bet she missed it.

We then headed to Pat & Deb's house where Deb made us all Chili.

It was delicious. Way more food than we all could eat.

We had our annual Newey Talent Show.

Sarah sang two songs from school, the Dreidel song and the Mitten Song.

And Abby danced to a Nutcracker song.

Zak's talent was clapping, drooling and just being cute. hehe

Here are some pictures of the whole crew.

My Dad even humored the kids with some magic tricks.

Here he is magically moving his fingers from one hand to the other.

He also made a quater disappear and pulled it out of Sarah's ear.

(I love the reactions of everyone, my family is full of hams... guess that is what you get with two parents with theater degrees)

The kids ate it right up.

My mom also told us her annual Christmas story and gave each of the kids a tine star keychain charm. (You can see it really well in June's hand).

Proof that Zak and Abby were there.

We then did gift exchanges and the kids got spoiled with presents.

Princess Dolls, Owl Satchels, Flip-Puzzles, Monster Stuffie, ball popper, art set, fairy figures...okay I'll stop now, you get the idea.

The night was even made complete with a little RockBand.

I think it really made the evening for Ryan. My family can be a bit overwhelming at times.

The kids even got a turn.

Okay... the big Christmas DAY!!

Here is what Santa brought.

It is tradition to do a stair picture at our house.

Or two...

The girls were really sweet to let Zak lead the parade to the haul.

Until Abby spotted her dress... then she just about bulldozed Sarah and Zak over to get to it!

She loves princess dresses. And LOVES this one.

Santa's little helper spent many hours making it and had so much fun seeing Abby squeal with delight and put it on.

Sarah got Darth Vader stuff.

Sarah has a friend at school who loves Star Wars, Sarah said she did too, but had never seen it. So at the beginning of December we borrowed the classic three and watched them. Ever since, Sarah has been obsessed with Darth Vader. She is always drawing him in her pictures.

Here is my all time favorite Christmas picture from this year.

Perfect... dont' you think?

Here are few more of Abby in her dress.

Love her little face!

Testing out the twirl-factor of her new dress.

She also got a pretend makeup kit (nail polish filled old make up containers) and was being so cute pretending to put it on. Didn't get a good picture of it in action, but that is what she is playing with in this picture.