I would like to begin our Christmas journey with a little something to satisfy those tastebuds. A little sweetness for the road ahead, if you will! oh no you di'nt?

oh yes I did!

(hehehehehehe!)

Lucky for Max and Conli, their friends have 4-wheelers, and cool dad's- so they get to join in the fun! Thanks Ricky and Cory!!! They had a blast!!!

Conli didn't work up enough courage to get on the actual sled behind the 4-wheeler, but she was totally brave enough to get on the 4-wheeler! Squishy Squisher Squish
A few nights before Christmas, we decided to actually deliver some christmas cards- hey, at least we did it! On our way, the kids went on a snowman hunt!
Here's the Allred's insanely tall man o' snow!!! and a cute lil snow fam
Christmas Eve meant Sizzler this year, and even though I'm not a fan, it was fun to go rekindle thee ol' flame with Mrs. Salad Bar. ( i worked there in highschool for a minute)
oh, and it was worth it to spend the night with the family- well, the family that was around!
Karri, Mom, Brent, Max, Grandma Joan, Sawyer and Conli post-feast
the scary "cheese" face
after Sizz, we went back to play at Brent's mom's house. Aunt Karri had bought some new dress-ups of goodness! Oh Joy! Rapture!
Sawyer preferred to dress up in my hat
it's tradition in the Ramey household, for each child to walk their stocking to the fireplace Christmas Eve. So, we did that....then Mana gave them each their ornaments for the year.
We got home and promptly prepared our house for Santa's arrival. The Magic Key was left on the door, the milk and donuts were laid out, and the kids even went to sleep pretty quick!
Sawyer awoke in NO MOOD for the festivities. She was Grumpy McGrumperson
Conli was overcome with love because of the gift Max got her. It was so cute- what a good brother she has!
Sawyer got plenty of help in the unwrapping department
After finishing up at our casa, we ventured over to Mana's. Sing it with me-

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow.

I wanna wash my hands, my face, my hair with snow.....

the big kids patiently awaited their turn to unwrap I unwrapped these from Chris- they're my FAVORITE christmas gift. I've worn them every single second. (cept when I must go outside of course)
Let me preface this picture with a story:

A few weeks ago, Max was on his way to the car. Lo and behold, he noticed a piece of garbage sitting on the drive way and immediately grabbed it. On said garbage, was a picture of Hulk gloves. He stuck the garbage in his pocket, and carried it with him straight to Grandme Joan's house, where he assumed proper childish, twinkling, needful, position and petitioned Grandma for the gloves for Christmas. Well, Grandma- not to disappoint, went out and found Max the gloves..... of his dreams

Sawyer, however, was sorely disappointed in grandma's choice of gifts for Max.

at the slightest sight of them, she would run, crying, kicking and screaming to the nearest shelter
oh! and i got a Cricut- for me and Heather- Merry Christmas Friend!
we grandkids (a.k.a. Breanne) made Grandma a way cool book for christmas. Full of pictures of the people she loves most.
Where's Conli?

then it was FINALLY time to eat. After we'd all been sufficiently doused with the sweet scent of BA-CON, we got to eat the always delicious, breakfast Garbage! It's my fave.

Thanks for making it honey!
Stocking Slinky's

lil crazies

After some R&R back at our house, we went to visit our Allred friends who were in town.

Here's cute Payten and Kacee.

we love them.

we wish they lived closer.

although, having somewhere warm to visit in this coldness from

H.E.double hockey sticks, is quite grand.

Maycee and Conli and the new Christmas puppy. You should know, Conli is deathly afraid of all things big and small, plant or meat eating. She makes us carry her, with her death grip in full effect, into Summer and Sean's house, and drop her off on the counter if the cat is even in smelling range, and she'll stay there, to play, for hours....it's REEEEEDICULOUS!!!!

This picture is a Christmas miracle.

She held the dog.

did you hear me? I said,

She HELD A DOG!!!!

We love the dog.

However, I do not love my children as much as Ty and Kace, and sadly for them, will never have a dog.

the girlies in their most beautiful sleeping GOWNS from Karri. Christmas was fabulous this year- thank you everyone for spoiling our kids rotten! We love you all! And we're especially thankful for the spirit of Christmas. I'm always so sad when the music isn't played on the radio any more....when the reminders of our Savior and his sacrifices for us aren't blaring from every street, every sign, every store. How lucky we are to have the gospel in our lives. How lucky we are (and we were reminded so unfortunately this past week- love you Allen family) to know the truth, and to have the truth to comfort and lift us through the unexpected. How lucky we are to have One so interested in the worth of each and every one of us.

Merry Christmas. Every. One!

Friday morning, after coming up short with a pair of snowboots to call my own (thanks Heath for the lending) we ventured to the slopes (of the park)(along with everyone else from the county) to take our kids sledding. for the first time. what? the first time? Isn't Max old? Yeah- he is, don't judge us.

My lil pink stay puff Marshmallow baby.

little did she know what she was getting into.

Remember how Conli's the most afraid of all other beings of mankind? well, never fear! She tore up that big, bad, park hill! She LOVED it! She was squealing, and laughing and speeding with delight! And going over and over and over. Even off jumps! Yes, Conli=lover of sledding! It's amazing! Brynn and Max after being pulled around by the 4-wheeler Summer's such a graceful princess flowing down the hill
Before Sean got scared away by the big, bad, police man. He dragged Brent, Summer and I around for a minute. So what if the cable tore through the sled while i was on it? What? Cuz i'm FAT????
Friday night, after going to Bro. Allen's viewing, Brent, Ty and I met up with our oldest peeps at Brick Oven- cuz Kacee seriously craves this place- and had dinner.
AHHHHH- look at the beautiful couples!

Heather+Landon

Kacee+Ty
Cody+Ivy

(don't mind Cody- he can't smile in pictures very well...we're working with him)
and Lisa+Ivy
We missed you Morris's! But I guess if the Jazz are more important, then so be it! (i'm a'kidding- it was AWESOME seeing you the other night!!!! Am- hope you're feeling better!)
since hanging out with these boys always turns into highschool memoirs, the boys decied to reinact some of our most beloved dance poses....how tender Random- but as I was sitting at the computer the other day- who me?- I heard much deep, heartwarming laughter coming from the other room. I crept in to spy on the children to hear them yelling, "DOGGY PILES". Sawyer thought it was the funniest thing she'd ever done!
Heather helped my hair- thank goodness- the other day, and the kids decied to go outside and play. It lasted all of 1.6 minutes, but we made out with some grand pictures!

And lastly, I just wanted to tell Ty, Amy, Wade, and Wendy how much I LOVED your talks at the funeral on Saturday. How honored your dad must feel right now, knowing the tributes you not only paid to him while he was here, but even more so as he's not. You are amazing children, and your mom is an amazing woman. How blessed he is to have you forever, and how blessed you are to have him as your Father. I learned so much, and felt so much love as each of you spoke. It was awesome. Thanks for letting so many people share in the love of your father. Love you guys!