The Tradition Continues

I know! I know! Every year our husbands say never again and every year we manage to get one more year out of them. But this year there were no broken water mains, no shattered toilets, the cabin didn't fill with smoke and for the most part the spouses didn't threaten divorce.

So I'm going to call it a win and say that we should definitely do it again next year.

playing board games with auntie Amy

This was my attempt the get a sweet picture with my husband and the wrestling match that followed

Emery and her dog

The traditional breakfast out at the Huckleberry

My kids always have to take a ride in the swing

The stairs that go up to the loft.......That scare the heck out of the grownups

Playing in Uncle Hairy's tote

My sweet angel baby loves the snow

Hitting the slopes

at the Zigzag for dinner....I love this pic cause it looks like Mo is doing brain surgery on J.

The traditional picture of all the kids on the stairs minus Kins

They may look like they're all eagerly awaiting a 'mooning'

But it is just "Uncle Hairy", Chris's talking butt.

Last snow of 2009

Funny old dog acts just like a puppy when it snows. I think the cold feels good on her old joints

She never does this, but she was just so happy

All Ainsley wanted to do was build little snow forts on the table.

Just after I said to him don't throw that at me.

I'm the king of the world.

Emery and her dog. Her Love. Her life. Her world.

See the little fort. She was so proud of it.

She would not leave her gloves on

My snow angels

It trapped Jeff in Portland overnight and we had fun playing in it.
But It wasn't much and it was gone the next day. So much for the great snowstorm of 09.

Christmas with Jeffs Family

Part two of Christmas was the 24th with Jeff's mom and Loren. We had dessert and exchanged gifts. It is always a good time when Grandma and La La come over. The kids just love them especially when they bring gifts.

Yui: "What? I was just looking. I wasn't going to do anything."

Part three: It was just our little family Christmas morning.

First the kids got their stockings

Emers just loved her little pink dog

Oh Honey how I love you for being such a good sport

I think he likes his new gun.

Ainsley and her big girl bike.

Em and her baby having tea

Jeff and I opening the gift Jackson made for us at school

I just love the stuff he makes and how excited he gets to give it to us.

Part four: Jeff's Dad, Grandma, Brother Brad, His Girlfriend Kelly, Kandle and AJ all came over for dinner and more gifts.

The kids Kandle, Ainsley, Emery, Jackson and AJ

Best gift ever!! Jack's neighbor made this rocking horse and she LOVES it. But that's just the beginning. The wood that he used to make it was from Jeff's and my old bed's footboard. So instead of being burned or thrown into a landfill our old bed gets a second chance at life and what a great new life to have.

Brad channeling his inner child .

Cindy got this bed for Brad's dog Jenna and Emery spent the whole evening laying in it. There is no end to this kid's love for dogs and longing to be one.

The McCumber's Christmas

We started the evening with dinner and some dessert. Everyone brought something. It's always a collaboration. That way, no one person has to do it all.

After dinner, but before the gifts, Mackenzie went into the living room and started reading a book and, before you knew it, all the kids were at her feet listening. Well, maybe not Jackson.

Jackson and Morgan glued to each other as always.

This is four generations, minus me. My Mom, My Dad's Mom and My Girl.

The melee that was opening of the gifts.

Oh, the matching pajamas. Our kids are going to hate this some day. But for now it is one of the funnest parts of Christmas for me. I just love seeing them all matchy matchy. And to think we almost didn't get little Mr. Grant to put his on. Funny little man didn't think that PJs were a good gift at all and was not about to put them on.
But as you can see we got him to do it and he even has on the biggest Smile.
Thanks to his daddy's belly of course.