Christmas... finally

We were blessed to be able to spend the 2008 Christmas holiday with the Hansen clan at home in Merced (in the Cali valley). It was extra special this year, as it was likely the last Christmas celebration with all of us together in the home we grew up in. The entire family came out - 2 parents, 7 adult children, 7 spouses-in-law, 11 grandchildren, and 1 dog (there would have been 2 dogs, but poor Willie was uninvited). All of us were excited to be home, and no one wanted to stay anywhere else but there... at home. But, that is a lot of people in one house with little-to-no privacy. So, my parents decided they'd rent a motor home.... and park it in the driveway. So funny. But it worked great. Two couples (along with a couple of kids) slept out on the basketball court with their days spent inside with the rest of us. Kristin/Greg and Cinda/Dave were the lucky couples. We received a pass due to little Canny. In any case, we loved being together, the closeness and all. I left feeling like I didn't spend enough time chatting, reminiscing and laughing with everyone. I guess that's what happens during busy holidays.... it all goes by way too fast!

Here's our week in picture form...

Santa made an appearance Christmas Eve with his yearly pajama delivery. Did he make it to your house?

Hansen tradition calls for a lineup, youngest to oldest, at the living room door before going in to find our treasures from Santa. Here the grandkids are trying their hardest not to tear through the door, while waiting for all of the adults to get their act together.

Santa sure came through for Ryder this year!

Anyone who knows my father knows what football team owns his heart. His devotion showed this year with this great gift. Ryder and his cousin, Jake, each received a BYU football jersey, pants, shoulder pads, helmet and football. Yay!

Oh, little cousin Elli. Isn't she darling?!?

Cannon was easy to please. He just sat back and inhaled the excitement in strides. Aunt Alisa's lap had the perfect view of the family spread!

Playing with daddy.... and trying to keep him (daddy) entertained. Todd's family tears through their gifts in seconds and the opening festivities are over before you know it. Our marathon mornings have always been a little much for him...

Ryder started talking about sitting on Grandpa's "boat" weeks before we made it home. Luckily, the wave runner is stored at home in the off season and could do the trick. Maybe this summer he'll get his fill with the ski boat itself. We've got to get out on the water before the big move!

Cousin time with sweet Elli and Ashlan.

The day after Christmas we all geared up and headed over to Yosemite. Oh, how beautiful it was! As you can see, there was snow EVERYWHERE. Oh, so gorgeous. Words cannot do the beauty justice.

Little Canny all bundled up in the snow.

;)

Ryder cheesn' it up. He couldn't get enough of the snow! His poor cold little hands!!

Thrown' snowballs.

Family snowball fight.

Photo shoot with the help of the very talented Alisa.

After spending some time at the Ahwahnee, eating lunch and playing in the snow, we found our way over to Curry Village for a night of ice skating near beautiful Half Dome. The little boys and I spent much of the time keeping warm in the car. Ice skating at night in the dead of winter isn't the most fitting of activities for a four month old.... go figure. But Ryder and I had a blast singing songs and telling silly stories! That boy has an i-ma-gi-nation!!

Our holiday boys.

We asked Ryder to show us his "picture" face, and this is what we got. We've been working on opening our eyes when taking pictures... and it looks like that has now gotten us an open mouth as well.

Another trip to the good ol' Merced zoo.... They even have a one-eyed donkey that roams the grounds.

Jumping in the leaves with cousins.

Ryder breaking into the motor home.

And we'll end this marathon post with a family pic from Christmas Sunday.

We hope your Christmas and New Years holidays were wonderfully peaceful and full of joy. 2009 looks like it'll be a lively year for us, that's for sure. We'll be sure to keep you updated along the way...