Christmas 2011

We started the holiday off by celebrating with just our family on the 23rd. We read the story of Jesus' birth and then had the kids come downstairs to see their stocking stuffers. The highlight of Harper's morning was the wrapping paper, of course. I know she had fun, but most of the pictures I got of her she was giving me really interesting faces. Owen had a very "yellow Christmas"...he got a box full of tractors, backhos, trackhos, etc. He was in heaven. And Ethan's favorite gift was the box of Legos. They'll probably be my least favorite as I step on them...

The 24th we headed to Stillwater to celebrate with my family at what will be the last Christmas in the house I grew up. (my parents are moving to OKC as soon as they sell their house) It was a little bittersweet, but with all the craziness of 15 people in one home, there wasn't much time to think about it!

Mimi as always did a wonderful job of picking out stocking stuffers for everyone. It was the first time I got to see the stocking she'd made for Harper - it was so cute. After we went to church Christmas morning, the kids opened their gifts together. Owen LOVED his cement mixer, Harper was thrilled to get a doll (the only gift she's been excited about to date!), and Ethan was excited to get a new Batman and Wolverine. The adults enjoyed opening gifts that evening when all the kids went to bed.

Micah & Harper seemed to bond over bath time. Just the beginning of a good friendship!

The rest of the time we enjoyed hanging out together. We spent time playing in the back yard where Jon and Josh had an entertaining wrestling match. The frisbee and football were thrown around, and the kids had fun playing together. Donuts were eaten, Aspen Coffee shop was visited multiple times, and there was a lot of laughter! And in true Dodson fashion, we all shared the stomach bug. It's been the gift that has kept on giving...I think we're ready to end that tradition and start a new one! Next year will definitely be different celebrating in a new town and a new house, but I think we've all agreed that as long as the same people are there, we're good to go!