McCall Bryson Family Reunion

The day after Christmas we drove all the way to my parents to take advantage of some time off and to attend a HUGE family reunion with the Bryson side.  The kids were so excited to see everyone again.

Eating lunch in McCall, ID. 

My lovely parents.

Waiting to go swimming at Zim's Hot Springs.  It amazes me how much my kids love to go swimming and they never seem to get their fill.

Then next day we hit the sled hills.  Kenzie was a champ and would go zooming down the hills on her sled.  It cracked me up every time.  Even when I thought she would be hurt...she popped up and wanted to go again, CRAZY GIRL!!

Brielle and Daddy getting ready for a ride, she loved it too!

Having a blast.

The weather was so nice, which made it nice to stay for a while and not freeze!

Payton and me getting ready for a turn!  Then new sled worked great!

These two always wrestle.

Boys will be boys.

Having fun in the snow. 

The kids were having a blast! 

Go Kenzie Girl. 

Taylor ready to go for a ride.

Then one evening after putting the kids in bed, Mckay and I snuck off with these two on a double date, while others at the cabin kept an eye on our sleeping kids. 

 

My dad was there for supervision (actually he loves watching people, so he mainly went there to watch and probably giggled on occasion when there was a good fall).  Daniel happened to be one of those good falls!!  At one point I told Daniel to show me a leg lift.  He tried and then ended up falling on his tail bone.  I was dying laughing, while Erin was off doing her thing, so she missed the actual fall and only noticed him brushing himself off...it was great!

Mckay is a natural and shows me up on the ICE.  He can do all sorts of fancy tricks and even goes backwards.  I wish I was better at this like he is, but it was still a lot of fun holding hands and being a kids again with no worries, just my hubby and I!

Mckay pulling the girls on the sled.

It was great seeing all my family again and spending time with my grandparents and extended family.  We enjoyed the talent show, playing games, spiritual meetings, and just having a good time with loved ones!

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!

Time for opening stalkings!  The kids usually get their own bag of gold fish among other surprises.

Brielle thought this was a great way to wake up!

Sporting her new Owl hat she loves.

Taylor was lucky to get his own bow with a few arrows.

Bet you can't tell Payton is thrilled with his new bow and arrow set!

McKenzie did get a Magician set, but was also excited to open her new dream light pillow pet, and her new fleece jacket.

Planes to play with in the bath.

Mckay in his new BSU hoodie.  It will serve multiple purposes as he plans to use it to hunt in Orange as well.

We also surprised him with a Bear Grylls knife he had his eyes on (the kids did well at keeping this a secret).

After presents Asher and Taylor went to their secret hideout and played with some of their new toys.  These boys could spend hours in here, who knew!

Wish I could record their conversations to see what they talk about in privacy.

Then Mckay, Dick, and Isaac spent part of the morning assembling their new guns that they are building together.  We tease that this is their "Craft Time".

Looks like fun!

Like Father, Like Son(s).

It was quite a sight.

The weather was great so we took Payton outside to try out his new toy!  Taylor practiced with his as well.

Both families got sleds for these Montana winters.  Since there was no snow outside, the kids had a little fun inside until it was later banned after getting a little too rowdy!

Ye haw!

Brielle and Emry did this for the longest time.

Mckay had a huge surprise up his sleeve this year!  Ten years ago, when we first got engaged, I didn't really want anything more then my simple wedding ring.  As time went on we talked and I guess I thought one day it might be nice to get the wedding band and have a set.  While we were at the mall Mckay took my ring to "get it cleaned for me" and ended up checking my ring size and buying this beautiful matching band.  I am one lucky lady, I have one special guy!!

We had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

Christmas Eve 2013

It is Christmas Eve...what an exciting day!  We spent most of our day doing last minute preparations for Christmas.  Mckay worked a half day, while the cousins played and food was being prepared for the SEAFOOD dinner Swensen tradition.  Mckay is a huge fan!

I painted the girls toes.  It is funny how much they love it, even the little girls, as they hold super still, against all odds!

The kids/cousin table.

Ready to DIG in!

Yummy!

Later that evening before bed we watched a Nativity Clip, played Christmas songs with the bells, and finally opened a Christmas Eve present.  Lets just say that we shouldn't have told the kids that they were going to get to open a present that evening.  They were begging all day and just couldn't wait!!

Trying to be patient!

Taylor likes to remind me that "Its hard waiting", this is something he needs to get used to!  They survived and are so excited for more surprises in the morning!

Time for bed and saying good bye to Christopher (this is always hard on the kids).

Excitement filled the air!!

Story Time With Grandma

My kids love Story Time and it is also great to do it with Grandma!

I wish this wasn't blurry.  But it is precious to see these two (Brielle and Emry) sitting so still with Grandma.

And this one is sideways (oh well).

I love the many neat stories this time of year.  I hope to keep adding to my Christmas Book collection.  The messages of giving, family, love, and the birth of our Savior are a great way to feel of the Spirit of Christmas!

Classroom Christmas Parties

I love this time of year as the kids get released from school and they are all mine for the remainder of the Christmas Holiday and into the next year.  We have some fun plans coming up and I am looking forward to spending some time with them.  Before being released the kids had their classroom parties.  I brought North Pole cupcakes to both classes.  Taylor and Brielle came along for the ride and had a good time.  The other students always welcome us right in and get a kick out of the little ones!

Payton, Taylor, and Brielle enjoying meat/cheese trays for lunch, along with other munchies/and treats.  In Payton's class we listened to a story all about the Nativity (imagine that in school)!  In Kenzie's class they were talking about what Christmas is about and on her paper McKenzie wrote it is Jesus Birthday.  I appreciate that my kids are allowed to talk about the real meaning of Christmas if they want!

In Kenzie's class they were just finishing a Christmas movie.

Fun times!

I love my kids and am looking forward to our time back together until next year!