Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we always go to my Grandma Rowley's house for her Christmas Eve Program- my favorite Christmas Tradition.  We eat chip dip (the only time each year I eat chips & dip!), sing songs, and my Grandpa shares a Christmas story or two.  It just really helps me remember the true meaning of Christmas and kind of kicks off the next day or two of fun.  I am a slacker and didn't take a single picture at my Grandma's this year...sorry.

When we got home, Matt told the boys Grandma Margaret had one present for each of them to open before they went to bed.  As a four year old, telling them they get to open a Christmas present early, obviously he was pretty excited.

before

the opening

read his lips- BORING!  He was very disappointed to open up and find pajamas!  I don't think that was on his list!  Oh well, at least he was honest.

Logan on the other hand thought that a new shirt with a car on it was pretty neat and was pulling with all his might to get the tags off and put it on.  haha!

Love these guys- Merry Christmas Eve!

Ugly Sweater Party

Adrian hosted our ugly sweater party this year and it was a lot of fun!  We all showed up in our very best, ate yummy food, skyped with Mom & Dad, and played some games.  It was fun to all get together before we all went our separate ways for the holiday.

 

The Clarks

Marisa & Zac

Adrian & McKay

Trying to open the chocolate bar wearing hot pads

Logan

Yah- we finally earned our cookies!

Logan showing off his cookie

Christmas Excitement

I love Christmas time!!!  The music, the lights, the decorations, all the parties, the yummy food, the excitement in the air...Love it all!!

 

Matt put up our train around our tree and Logan brought his chair over and watched the train go round and round for basically half the day.  He would hold the remote and was enthralled when he would push the button and the train would stop or go backward.  I love his excitement at all the little things!  Of course he had to have his train clothes on too!

Posing at the mall by the "nut-nuts"- McKay has a fascination with nutcrackers.

McKay singing with the Primary at the ward Christmas party.  He knew all the words and sang right along- made me so proud.  He was scared to death to go up there, but he did it (with the threat that Santa was coming after the Christmas program...)

Santa came!  McKay told him he wanted Ninjago Legos.

Logan didn't care to see Santa, he just reached in Santa's bag, got himself an apple and candy cane and walked away.  I guess he didn't see the need to sit on a strange man's lap- Logan just came for the food!

Olson Christmas Party

McKay got Ninjago Lego stickers- I think he liked them :-)

Chocolate Houses

 This photo deserves it's very own post- McKay's whole life Uncle Ray has tried to get McKay to like him but those of you who know McKay, well he is very shy and doesn't open up to many people- especially men...  Well, we were making our annual chocolate houses at my Grandma Rowley's the day after Thanksgiving and Uncle Ray came and sat by McKay.  I told McKay his house was about done and I started working on my own house.  Uncle Ray slides a few candies to McKay and McKay puts them on his house.  Then he slides McKay a few more candies, and the next thing I know they are both smiling and working on McKay's house together!  The front side of the house is so covered in candy you can't even see the house, but hey, Uncle Ray and McKay are friends!!  It only took 4 1/2 years, but it happened!

Logan and Daddy showing off their houses