Finals Week

This year Haley's birthday was during reading days. She came home that morning from a cabin with some people in our ward. We went to Black Sheep Cafe for lunch, which was delicious. It was just Brit, Haley, and me since Anne wasn't feeling well and Emily was at a family party. 

Haley Baley

She went shopping with her mom while I went to get a couple presents for Christmas. While I was in my room wrapping them, Anne came in and told me that our fridge wasn't working (turns out we got it to work Sunday) so we had a grand old time going through the fridge and freezer to figure out what we could throw out and then put the rest in the back Emily's car (at first I was worried it wouldn't be cold enough, but everything was frozen when we got it out of the car). 

When Haley got home we quickly cleaned the apartment and got everything ready for her party. Since she turned 21, we had mocktails. We also played some games and had a lot of fun just hanging out with our friends.

Me, Lyla, Abby, and Derrick

Tuesday night I went up to Salt Lake to watch Abby and Lyla in their last Gingerbread performance. Derrick (who had just gotten back to Utah) and Shannon came too. Those little girls are so cute! They did such an awesome job! They knew all the words and actions and were totally the cutest ones. Marcia had each of them introduce themselves. As Lyla ran back to the room where they met, Derrick crouched down and opened his arms and she literally leaped into his arms. Melt. My. Heart. Cutest thing ever.

Cute Kids by their Gingerbread Houses

I finished my last two finals on Wednesday and drove up for my cousin Cody's fiance's shower. The next couple of days were fairly uneventful. Friday night Abby, Lyla, Max, and Connor came over while their parents went to the temple. We decorated gingerbread houses, went to Dairy Queen, drove around to see some Christmas lights, and watched some movies. Abby, Lyla, and Max got to sleep over too. We slept down in the basement. Max was so funny. We were watching a movie and he kept asking if we could turn it off so we could go to bed. Such a cute kid.

The next morning was the big Keddington Family Christmas Party. We had it at our church and there were so many people there! I forget how big our family is now. It was so fun to see everyone. Especially all the new little babies. There were four babies who were younger than 2 months old. So stinkin cute!

Santa, Me, and Abby

A special visitor came to our party too! The varying reactions to Santa Claus cracked me up! Some of the kids were all over that. Some were mildly curious. And some refused to go within ten feet of him (Including all but one of my nieces and nephews. Way to go Abby!). As Santa is an old friend, he insisted I come sit on his lap. Abby came and took a picture with us too!

From Top Left: The Boys, Abby, The Sisters-in-Law
Lyla, Max, Connor

Daxton's Reaction

Dale, Dad, Blair, Lynn, Craig, Santa, and Gary

I wasn't there for this part, but apparently they got all of Dad and his brothers to take a picture with Santa. And then all of the sisters-in-law too. Dad said the number of phones and cameras that came out when they went up to stand by Santa was ridiculous. The glory of technology. (Can you believe how much they all look alike? It's uncanny. They are all so cute!)

Monday afternoon we had a party with my Mom's side of the family. Marie rented out her complex's clubhouse and we all met there for some food and fun. Unfortunately Mom wasn't feeling well at all, so she and Dad weren't there. It was fun to see everyone. Daniel Wendel and his family were there too, which was fun since we haven't seen them in a very long time. 

We did a fun white elephant and cute Max got this awesome singing tie! He looks like such a stud! It makes it better that he is wearing his white shirt and gray sweater (the grandkids got their picture taken earlier that day). What a cutie pie!

I love Christmas! And my family!