Christmas Vacation in Oregon

Christmas vacation in Oregon is what I wait for all year. We left on the 22nd and arrived Thursday night late, thanks to my sister we made it to her house and fell fast asleep. Only to begin all the fun the next day with the rest of the family.


Alexander practicing his skills for our baby, but for now enjoying cousin Jonah

Enjoying the newest members of the family Jonah and Luke

Here is a great photos of what the house kitchen looks like, it was so great having
a place that could hold all of us.

Living room

Grandpa holding Jonah...I think....

Uncle Darren has some pretty cool toys and Alexander loved playing with them.

Cousin Katelyn holding the twins, they were well loved.

Each of us were in charge of a meal. Zac and I did Ranch Rosemary kabobs, a lot more work than we thought but well liked.

The teen cousins enjoying the hot tub

This was just a sitting room off from Amber and Aarons room it was fun to gather in there and help with the babies.

Living Room, lots of room for all to play games and gather

A view of the neigbhorhood

Getting ready for Christmas Eve Dinner

Lovely talented Sister in law Beth and cute Gannon (her 6th child..she looks amazing)

Cute cousins

Sister Tricia and twin

Sister Ashlee holding another twin

Movie Theater, the Grandkids put the play "Tis Was the Night Before Christmas" It was really cute.

My cute nephew, Anderson. He is so yummy

Cousins, also Reindeer...

The beginning of reading the traditional Nativity Story

Sisters, nothing is better than sisters

kids table

The other , older kids table

The whole gang in our matching PJ's, Christmas Eve

Nativity Scene

Donkey and Mary

Christmas Eve, presents in place...

Grandkids with Grandparents

Christmas Morning and Santa came with lots of toys

Aaron and his first Christmas with children

This was us about to open up our big Christmas gift....were we having a boy or a girl...

Alexander with his most wanted Christmas gift and Santa came through for him.

Just the beginning of the morning

We had to take a break and go to church...but presents were still to be opened...the kids handled the "hold" well.

Here we are one happy family

We just found out that we are having a.....

It's a GIRL....or is it...later on we find out that we might be having a BOY....

Cute little photo of the twins just hanging out...they are growing so fast.

Showing my sweet son...how much I love him.

Alexander bought me a dress, picked it out the style, color...everything...he did great.

Sister Jill getting her big surprise for the morning...

My handsome boys (these pictures are of New Year's Day...they fell out of line)

Cousin love...

Anderson..."the tank"...I love this guy

Not the best photo of us...but it shows what we truly love...food...:)

We had a great Christmas and I am so grateful for our many many blessings!

Favorite Christmas Gift

I love art by Jim Shore, so when I started thinking about things I wanted for Christmas I remember that Jim Shore made some really cute Christmas figures. So I made the mention to my Mother, Kerstin Lorenzen.
Then I receive this big package in the mail. To my big surprise my favorite christmas gift was this lovely Nativity Scene by Jim Shore. It looks so lovely on top of the piano and it's something that will be in our family for years to come.
Thank you Mom and Dad Lorenzen, I love it and it's my favorite gift for 2012.

Christmas with the Adams

Before we left to have Christmas in Oregon with my family we had our traditional Christmas exchange with the Adams. Let the fun begin....


The gang


JJ and Tammy enjoying the moment

Zac had a few gifts from his Mom and Dad, they were heavy and big so we had him open them early.

I love adding to my Christmas decorations, and Alexander picked out this great Nutcracker for me.

Emma and Grant gave Alexander a marshmellow gun, it was quite the gift.

Alexander picked out a gift for Emma and Grant.

More fun for Zac

Tammy and Grant showing off his new teeth

Emma, JJ, and Alexander...enjoying new cookie sheets for Christmas

Gingerbread House

My wonderful Mother-in-law did a Gingerbread house with Alexander last year, so I thought well maybe we should try and keep that tradition. Unlike my Mother-in-law she made her's but I just bought one of those kits.

Thinking this would be a great activity and the family would have so much fun...well...no so much. Both boys were not in the best of moods and I had little patience. Next time I will leave this fun tradition for my Mother-in-law and her grandson as she has better luck. :)

At least we tried....