Christmas Eve

Yesterday morning we got the sad news that Papa and Grandma Martin wouldn't be joining us for the evening festivities. Dad's work required him to be available to work until 11pm! So instead they came over in the morning to spend time with us.

A couple days earlier Ella caught a cold and hasn't really felt very good. She was sleeping when they first arrived, but she woke up in time to see them for a few minutes. Poor thing can barely breath through her nose...hence the open mouth! :(

And because I'm a tradition person here is the annual corny Christmas Tree picture!

After the kids woke up from their nap we headed over to Michael's oldest brother Rick's house. We were supposed to go to their churches Christmas Eve program, but with Ella feeling so bad we decided to not go. Rick's wife Michelle wasn't feeling the best so they ended up not going either.


We had the yummiest roast for dinner. Michelle had a minor issues with the second roast (the burner on the stove went out), but it all worked out. I made roasted green beans for the first time....yummy! Shana (Michael's brother Steve's wife) made a fantastic Oreo dessert.


After eating we hung out for a while and chatted and let the kids play. This is the best picture I got of Ella in her dress. She of course was a gem and did great staying up WAY past her bedtime!


Owen LOVES his cousins and had so much fun running around playing!


After a while it was time for PRESENTS!!! Ella got a cute sleeper with bunny rabbit on the feet and a Laugh & Learn phone from Aunt Michelle.



I love this part...it's so fun seeing everyone tear into their treasures!

Aunt Shana got Jack a Toy Story puzzle and after we finally got him to put that down and open the next gift he found out he got Madagascar 2. He was so in love with this puzzle he slept with it!

Owen got a power drill with goggles and Madagascar 1 from Aunt Michelle. He was so in love with his drill he slept with it!

We got Paige some cool crafty toys....Diva Puppies and Blendy Pens. She was really happy!

I had Becky's name and I worked really hard and made her school books for the girls. Each page is devoted to a grade for the girls so she can stick their school picture in it. I was having a really hard time trying to figure out how to bind them though. My friend Kim suggested I use the machine at our church....it worked perfectly! They looked so professional and she loved them!

Camryn & Paige just get more and more beautiful each year!

Ella was one lucky girl and got some Uncle love from her Uncle Jon and...

her Uncle Steve. We also had Steve's name for Christmas and talk about hard to shop for...I ended up getting a really good deal on a year subscription for two off-roading magazines.

The brothers....standing in order this year just backwards order, but hey at least they posed for the picture. Michael, Jon, Steve and Rick!

Corny Christmas Tree Pictures...

Rick, Michelle, Avery, Cooper & Paige!

Steve and Steve Jr...Steve Jr had to leave early so I had to get a picture of him quickly. He's growing up into such a nice young man....I remember when he was 4 months old and drooling all over me when he was teething.

Steve, Shana & James!

Jon, Becky, Camryn (who is into opening her eyes really WIDE for pictures) and Samantha!

Michael, Lyndsay, Owen (A.K.A Goggleman), Jack & Ella!