JLEJ Family Chronicles: Santa Claus is coming to town!

Every year we go to Las Vegas for Christmas. Both Jason's family and my family are there so it's nice to go and visit for a few days. This year was no different except for one thing. Jason's parents are moving to Alaska and so, this will probably be the last year we actually have Christmas in Vegas.

We came down on the 22nd and stayed through the 27th. Usually our days are just jammed pack with doing things and this year was no different. Also, it had been 3 years since my sister and I had had our kids' pictures taken together so we decided to do that as well. It's amazing how fast everyone grows up! We were also going to meet Jesse and her clan after wards at McDonald's so that all the kids could play together.

Ethan and Jenna, my niece, waiting in line to see Santa

Waiting to see Santa

My brother Rick with his son Tommy

Christmas Eve we did over at Christa's house like always. This year we decided to stay the night on the 23rd with them so that we would have the whole day on the 24th to visit. Mom and Nana ended up coming over around 11am to help with the cooking and the cleaning for our Christmas Eve dinner. We had ham, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls, gravy, and carrots. Yummy!! After wards, we all gathered in the living room to open our presents. I have to say it was a great Christmas for everyone!

Ethan with his cousins Ryan and Jenna

Me with my sister Christa

Nana getting ready to open some presents

Jason and I trying to help Ethan construct his new GeoTrax train set

We went back to Jason's parent's house after watching "A Christmas Story" and Ethan was so tired that he feel asleep before we had even left Christa's subdivision! Christmas Eve is junk food night and Jason's dad just loves to make chicken nuggets, french fries, little smokies, and any other junk food he can think of! It's fun to just talk about what we got from my family and to visit with each other.

Christmas morning is exciting especially now with a 5 yr old! Ethan really understands the concept of Santa and what that all means so it's fun to watch him check out what Santa brings him! He was really excited to get a pillow pet and scooter this year. Jason got me a new set of scriptures, I got him some nice tall work boots for the garden, and his parents gave us some gift cards to various restaurants so that we can have date nights together. Overall, it was a really nice Christmas and I'm glad that we all got what we wanted :)