Christmas Festivities (and Kickoff)

 Here are some of our highlights from our Christmas festivities.

For our work Christmas party we did a Jazz game. We met for dinner with the whole group before hand and then all had seats together. We had a great time together (even though we lost a close one). 

It worked out great because we had my parents watch our kids and then we had my family Christmas party the next morning. We did breakfast (including some delicious waffles from the Renchers)

We played Christmas charade and that was incredibly fun. I loved it because Lydia and Austin both took turns drawing and both did so awesome. We were able to guess as many or more of the things on their turns as anyone else. It is so cool to see them growing up and getting bigger. 

We did a cousin picture outside (our poor kids eyes). 

We also did a white elephant gift exchange and had a fun time with that. The big winner was Austin. There was an automatic card shuffler that got opened and he was so excited and he really wanted to get it. He managed to make the 3rd steal on it and got to keep it. He was in Heaven. 

Lydia, Aubrey Jacob and Wendy all gave piano performances and Lydia and Austin performed the song they have been practicing for our ward called "When We Seek Him." 

After the Peaden family party we went to meet the Walkers for a surprise retirement party for Shantel's Dad, Scott. He did not know about the party, but his official retirement was December 16th. We planned to meet at a restaurant and then had a few gifts and things. Jake and Melissa also surprised him by renting a Tesla that he could drive that day which he loved. Unfortunately, the Tesla ran out of battery and the place they planned to charge at was out of order. They ended up not being able to make it to the restaurant so we missed them. 

However, we are so grateful for Scott and all his hard work going to work every day to support his family. 

After we went with Jenna and her kids, plus Melissa and Adam (her boyfriend) to see a giant gingerbread house at the Grand America. 

Here is Austin with his new card shuffler. 

We had our Christmas Kickoff the next day on Sunday the 19th. We had an amazing time and here are a few things we did. We did hot chocolate with the kids. 

Our kickoff box included hot chocolate bombs, a new movie for that night (Paw Patrol), Pez dispensers for the kids, and fake snowballs that Bruce actually gave to us at Thanksgiving. We also had a new game, Gnoming Around. We spent the day playing games together, went to church and watching our movie. We even had a couple of massive snowball fights. 

The kids were so excited to bring the beds down and we got everything set up to watch the new Paw Patrol movie. 

Shantel and I ended the night snuggling up together and reading books. We had a great day spending time with the kids and hope it is a tradition they remember.