And That's a Wrap!

As we wait for Ryan Seacrest and the Jonas Brothers to "get this show on the road," we have a few final December memories to post before 2008 draws to a close! Christmas with the Gus's was postponed on Christmas Day due to a threatening storm. We ended up celebrating at Annissa & Jeff's the Sunday after Christmas. They were great to host and we were all great to spend Christmas Day relaxing in jams!

Jeff giving the tour of their basement they are finishing.
Jennie took on the huge project of the Gus family video this year (pictures of all the families from every month of the year). It is always fun to see how everyone changes throughout the year. Thanks Dopps for taking one HUGE one "for the team" as we know it was a major pain! My favorite part was seeing all the grandkids (right down to the youngest one) pull up a blanket on the floor and watch the entire video without a peep. All the cousins love to see each other in all of their various activities through the year. We all try to sneak a few funny ones in to keep everyone laughing!

The next favorite tradition is the Gus adult gift exchange (done this year as couples--this year was one present per couple at a $50 limit). It is always fun and exciting as people use the "steal" technique to keep it fun! We actually scored with Desert Star Playhouse tickets for the whole family! Jon is shown above, mentally calculating his every move and the consequence...

Grandma & Grandpa Gus gave each of the kids gift certificates (their favorite) and also had awesome "white elephant" gifts for the adults. They are always so thoughtful!

Back to Christmas at our house--we went light but it actually turned out to be one of our most enjoyable days together playing games in our jams!

The kids haul. They actually received another wiggle car from Aunt Karen's family too so they can have races with the cousins in the driveway this coming summer.

Precious babies on Christmas Eve:)

Earlier in the month, they all fell asleep in our bed.

It reminded me of the "visions of sugarplums" and I had to take a picture.

They were excited all month about Christmas Eve and had many "sleep-overs" in the same room together. They are all at such fun ages!

Mikelle had her NOVA graduation this month (program was called DARE back in the olden days when Steve & I went through it). I probably already posted this, but some things were a bit of a blur earlier in the month:) The program does a great job of creating awareness and having the kids make commitments about no drugs/alcohol and making good choices in life!

Mikelle will miss Officer Anderson! He was so great with the kids!

Our nephew Mark (Joe & Wendy's son) returned home from his mission (in freezing Minnesota)! It was great to go to his "non-welcome home" and visit with him. He is doing great and plans to get right back to school.

What an awesome example all of these RM's are to our boys!

December was also filled with YW activities, one of which ws a trip to the Food Coalition in Provo. We (Beehive class) put together "snack bags" for the kids to take who come through the food bank line each day. We were able to donate small toys/candy etc. to go along with the other standard juice box/granola bar stuff. I was shocked at the number of people who have to access that each day and it felt great to serve/help in some small way.

A Mom of one of our beehives made gingerbread houses for the girls to decorate the first week of December. They had a ball and it was a fun way to get into the holiday spirit!

And finally...Dec. 31st! The kids had some friends over for our annual New Year's celebration and we only have one more hour to go until 2009!

Zak, Mikelle & Christian ready to rock in the new year!

The party animals!

The last photo of 2008! (Let's hope this blog prints into a book nicely:) Until next year everyone...we wish you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!