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| ok- so these are basically in reverse order! Ugh! Christmas morning at the Thompson's- the kids ready to eat brunch! |
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| Brett and Claire |
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| Brett on Christmas morning 2011 |
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| I think he likes his new ipod?! |
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| Claire with her mountain of gifts! |
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| Claire with her "happy nappers" |
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| Hooray- an "Easy bake" |
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| Whoa- gifts galore! |
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| Mommy Amy and her sweet little Claire |
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| Santa got high tech and left his note on the ipad this year! |
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| The Thompson/Maehl crew on Christmas day 2011 |
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| in their JD hats from Mema and Papa |
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| Claire wearing her new sunglasses and ready to open a gift! |
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| Brett and Claire- Christmas Eve @ church program 2011 |
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| Growing up too fast!! Claire- 4 1/2 and Brett 7 1/2 |
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| Papa and Nan with Brett and Claire- Christmas 2011 |
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| Brett with his goodies- age 7 1/2 |
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| Aaron, Emma, Jacob, Claire, Olivia, Maggie, and Brett |
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| All the kids with lots of presents! |
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| Papa, Nan, Aaron, and Maggie |
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Whew.....Christmas 2011 was a whirlwind of fun, food, family, and festivities! Here it is in a nutshell: On the 23rd, we had the Vigneron Christmas with Grandma Avis, Bob & Linda, Mom & Dad, the Totten's, Coenen's, Thompson's, and Terri. It was a great chance to get together and talk, eat, and play. The kids even had a special visitor- SANTA! He popped in to say hello and brought them all "Happy Nappers". This was on the TOP of Claire's Christmas list and after she received it she told Nan that "this was
exactly what I wanted!" Well done Santa ;) Then on Christmas Eve day we headed to Nan and Papa's again for our Totten family Christmas celebration. Kids were
spoiled and we all had fun watching them open their gifts and see the excitement in their faces. We also made some time for MORE food and games that day as well. After we were finished we all headed to church for the Sunday School Christmas program. Brett, Claire, Lainey, Lyndey, Zachary, Ben, and Ramona all did a wonderful job singing and reminding us the true reason for the season- the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus! After the program, our family continued on to Mark and Pat's house for some cookies and cocoa/coffee before heading back to church for the 10:00 service. Both of the kids were exhausted and zonked out during the peaceful and beautiful church service! After that we came straight home to put out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer and were off to bed!! Christmas morning came in a hurry and before you know it we were being awakened by two excited little people who had spied Santa's gifts and were ready to go!! So go we did- the kids opened their stockings and were thrilled with new gumball machines and an easy bake oven. Next came the gifts from our family under the tree. The kids were pumped- Brett for his Ipod touch and Claire for her happy napper (#2) and doll house furniture and ipod shuffle with a speaker case (a hand me down/down/down from a friend of mine to me to Brett and now to Claire!!). We had plenty of time to open up some toys and clean up and put on
fresh pajamas and went to Thompson's for Christmas day in PJ's. We all enjoyed this comfy new tradition (
great idea Rachel!). A fantastic brunch, presents galore, games, games, and more games, an "As Seen On TV" gift exchange for the adults, and many laughs later and it was time to head home. Exhausted and feeling soo very thankful for our wonderful family this Christmas. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
