Christmas

Holiday Recap

We had such a fun Christmas this year. My favorite one yet! Luke and Noah were so much fun to watch open presents. My mom and dad had a full house. Everyone was here except for Todd who just got a new job and couldn't get off. (we missed you Wodd) And of course this was our first Christmas with out Ash. But my mom helped us remember her by hanging her stocking with fresh flowers which we went out and put on her headstone the day after Christmas. She also made an Ashley gingerbread angel to go on the gingerbread house. So cute! I'm sure her Christmas was a much bigger and better celebration than we can ever imagine.


Eric opened up his Christmas present early. Rock band! It was a hit for all. Even mom and dad got in on rockin'. We played all weekend long. Christmas eve PJs were a blast too. My mom put them all in a box on the doorstep and rang the doorbell. The kids were so excited to open the door and see what the Christmas elves had brought them. Noah screamed a high pitch scream of excitment. And Luke helped papa pass out the packages. After that we headed home to set out cookies and finish burning our candle. On the drive home Johns mom read Twas the Night before Christmas to the kids on speakerphone. It is their tradition and a good one at that. John and I had such fun playing santa and setting up their gifts.



Christmas morning we woke up the boys and open stockings. Then disatster struck. While I was getting the camera, Luke headed into the living room and before we could catch him he saw his santa gift and we didn't get it on video. Silly Luke. He was just to excited. After we open presents, we went back to my parents house for cinnamon rolls and more presents. I would say that John and I really raked it in this year we got everything we wanted and so did our boys. We are so spoiled. We had four missionaries over for dinner on Christmas. It was the best meal ever. My mom was in the kitchen baking something or another all weekend. Due to that I have no intention of steping on the scale anytime soon. haha We are looking forward to the new year and hope to be able to remember Christ as if everyday was Christmas.



Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Santa Sadness

Here is Luke's '05 Christmas picture. Just had to share it for those that didn't get the opportunity to see it. It doesn't get any funnier than that!

Christmas Traditions

Picking out the perfect tree, and running around the tree lot like the wild boys that they are!Ashley snuggled up in her car seat, staying warm.John and his hot coco, wishing he was cutting down his tree, rather than picking one out at a K-Mart parking lot.

Noah and Dada decorating the tree. Noah liked to clump all the ornaments onto one limb.Luke called dibs on putting the star on top this year. He got to climb up on dads shoulders so he could reach. Luke is still talking about how exciting that was for him.

I grew up with the tradition of burning a candlestick every night until Christmas, and now I have carried that tradition down to my kiddos. This is that same Santa and candle holder from when I was a kid. Noah tends to spit when he blows the candle out, that is if Lukers ever gives him a chance to do so, because Luke usually gets to it first.

We are really looking forward to this Christmas. It is a lot more fun to be the Santa. I love picking out things for my kids. I can't wait for family to get in town. And I love to look at all the Christmas lights. We have been thru Eastridge a few times already. Anytime we leave my parents house at night time. Luke begs to go see the big star and all the lights in the neighborhood.

P.S. Remember how Christmas is next week. When did that happen?!?!

Santa Baby

Now here is a picture of a newborn that is really looking forward to Christmas. John bought this little dress for Ashley (his first girly purchase). She looks like one of Santas' little helpers.

Twins, Thanksgiving, and Snow

What a holiday for the Chaffins. We had lots to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The twins finally made it home! My twin cousins came home from their Brazilian missions on Thanksgiving morning. The whole Larson clan went to the airport to welcome them home, all 60 + of us. I had always pictured this day with Ashley in it. I wish she had been there to give those boys a big huge hug as soon as they got off the plane. But I am sure she will have her reunion with her twins someday. I am just grateful to have them return home safely. I’m proud of them for serving a full productive mission and for always being best buds to Ashley. She loved them. Thanks twiners!

Next, we headed to the church for turkey dinner. No ones house would outfit the whole Larson bunch this year. Uncle Keith set up his new “500,000 inch” wide screen TV along with couches for the Cowboy game. Dinner was delicious as usual. Thanks to Grandma and all the Aunts involved. And a special congratulations to Ty who got the annual surprise “Dollar in the Dough” (crescent roll with a dollar bill hidden in it). Definitely one of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions. Along with Football and pie, which there was plenty of this weekend.

Last but not least, Snow in El Paso. We had a downpour of snow overnight. So we woke up to a winter wonderland Saturday morning. John had the boys suited up before I even got moving that morning. Needless to say he was excited. We had a lot of fun. We had a great holiday, and we are looking forward to Christmas.