Christmas

So, our camera that Branden bought me when we were dating in 2003 died on Christmas of course. I have a whole bunch of Christmas Eve pics that I can't get off of my old camera. Good thing Santa brought us a new camera. Below are pics of Christmas Day.

We went out to Branden's grandma's for lunch and presents. Blake was a tiny bit grouchy for his first Christmas (he's getting teeth!).

Branden's family openning presents.

Our new camera has a cool panoramic picture setting. You take 3 pictures and it puts them into one. This is what our living room looked like on Christmas Day.

On Christmas Day night, we watched Blake. He and Branden and Little Buddy watched How To Train Your Dragon.

Christmas Time Prep

Before we left for Vegas for Thanksgiving, I watched Blake for a little bit. He loved the familiar sound of Modern Warfare on Braylee's Ipod :)

When in Vegas, you must go to the Strip. Here are some rules: 1) Don't take any flyers, booklets or cards that people hand out on the street 2) Don't look down on the sidewalk 3) Don't go to the "pirate" show Treasure Island, it is dirty and is not about pirates

us @ the Eifel Tower

We went to the top of the Stratosphere to ride rides, we snuck fluffy in too.

My dad, Braylee, Max, Max's friend Sorun, and Scott all went on this crazy chair ride that extends you out over the side of the building and spins you.

Branden went on a teeter-totter-like ride the puts you in a rollercoaster car and then when the track tips, you get suspended over the side of the building about 886 feet above the ground. He is over the edge in this pic.

This is right before the track tipped down. He is the 3rd person back.

Back: Branden, Mel's Dad Kris, Mel's Brother Braylee, Mel's Uncle Scott

Front: Mel, Cousin Max, Max's friend Sorun

This weekend, our pretend kids (The Shreiner Kids), came over to "help us" put out our Christmas decorations. I gave them the Kitchen doors to put some Stickees on.

Then we all headed over to the church for our ward Christmas Party. We had a "Night in Bethlehem". Caesar sent a notice that we have to come to be taxed (one can per person for the Utah Food Bank) and counted. We got some coins to buy food and other things at booths set up inside.

Then we all sat on blankets that we brought in the cultural hall and ate the food we bought with our coins.

The Young Men's booth was fruit and nuts. (Ahhh, isn't Branden a cute shepherd)

After we ate our dinner we played dradles (made by a guy in our ward) and watched the story of Jesus' birth be acted out by members of our ward. Branden built the stable where Baby Jesus was born.

And, we invited my mommy to come with us.