We had a wonderful time with the Friess family in Sunriver. We rented a large house that accommodated us well. We loved the kitchen/family room layout where we could all be together without being on top of each other. The kids had a fabulous time playing with each other and beating up on their beloved Uncle Brent. It was Paxton's first time to experience the snow and he LOVED it, other than the frustration of not being to use his hands well in the snow.
Bennett & Myah
Brent's girlfriend, Kim, came for a few days and the kids thoroughly fell in love with her! We could easily tell why Brent likes her so much.
Cohen
Addie
We all loved playing in the hot tub after time out in the cold snow, but the kids loved it most of all. They liked getting really warm and then eating the cold snow as a "snack."
We continued a Jackson family tradition of decorating a homemade gingerbread house. Jackson designed the layout on his own and made the pattern for me. We made one for the kids and one for the grownups (so we could do a fancy one), but the grownups never took their turn so we won't be trying that again!
Some of the kids really liked decorating the house while others just enjoyed eating as much candy as they could get in their mouths (
Sarah).
Haven & Myah
Bailey
Brent & Kim
We had a mass birthday celebration for all our fall and winter birthdays -- Danielle, Canyon, Mark, Brent, Wendy & Mom. Danielle made the cutest cards for everyone. She is so creative! I got a picture of everyone's but Mom's.
Canyon's card
Mark's card
Wendy's card - slightly more humorous than Mark's
Brent's card
Cohen eating candy off the finished gingerbread house.
Kim and Brent showed us a few ballroom dance moves. Robert was game to try and he did a surprisingly good job. I think Brent will stick with Kim as a partner though! (There is video evidence but it's on Brent's phone. I must get myself a copy for future blackmail purposes.)
We tried to go on a sleighride at the Lodge, but the communication about tickets, etc. was poor so we ended up just seeing the gingerbread house display and taking some photos. Bennett refused to get in the photo so here we are trying to convince him to join us.
We took turns cooking which made things really easy for the moms. It's amazing that being in a house with all those people could actually be easier than being at home. (But only because everyone worked so hard to make it easy!)
Mark, Dan & Dad took Jackson, Haven & Myah innertubing at Mt. Bachelor one afternoon. We stayed home with the other kids and had a great time playing in the hot tub.
Canyon is the cutest little peanut you have ever seen! You have never seen a more "chill" little kid. But a wonderful flirt! I had the best time looking at him from across the dinner table, and getting some fabulous snuggles!
Sarah all decked out for the snow.
I think Haven's parents are going to watch out for those boys in a few years!
The Towel Nativity Cast
Bennett - Joseph; Canyon - Baby Jesus; Myah - Mary
Santa-filled Stockings
It was fun to open presents together on Christmas morning.
Sarah was in heaven with all the princess gear.
Robert MADE Jackson a chess board. It was very cool!
Paxton climbing on Bennett's Wobble Deck.
Bennett in his king costume made by fabulous Aunt Pam.
Emily made us some gorgeous pillow covers, different sets for different times of the year. They are so fancy and awesome!
Addie having a merry Christmas!
Canyon bundled up for the snow.
Grandma & Paxton -- Happy Boy
Wrestling with Grandpa
Jackson buried Brent in the snow.
For several years, Sharon has gotten the kids matching number shirts. This was by far our best attempt at a group photo with them. Usually at least one child is screaming bloody murder. They were all happy and cooperative. It may never happen again!
When we got home from Sunriver, we had a little mini-2nd Christmas with presents from the Jackson family. We felt spoiled all over again. One of my very favorite presents were these picture books my mom made: one for Paxton about his family (those are pictures of Mark below), one about our Prescott Thanksgiving and one about our trip to Lake Chelan last summer.
