The Guymon Family: Finding Joy in Our Journey

Monday, January 23, 2012

Larsen Christmas Party

Christmas comes early every year for the Larsen family! My mom always hosts a Christmas party for all of my siblings and their families, and it truly is something we look forward to each year. We start with a big dinner and lots of conversation and catching up. It is fun for the adults and the cousins who haven't seen each other in a while. Then we have a nativity play presented by the Grandkids with a narration that we have of my Grandma Sitterud reading the Christmas story. It is a neat way to incorporate her into our traditions even if she is gone. Here is the entire cast of Larsen grandkids.

I'm not quite sure what part Cambree was playing. she insisted on putting her costume together herself.

Kaden as the Donkey, my nephew Dylan as a shepherd, and Brennen as a wise man.

My sweet nephew Eastyn.

My niece Brielle as Mary. She took her part very seriously.

Aubree as a shepherd.

Brennen as a Wise Man.

My sister Larissa and her sweet baby Chloe.

All my living Grandparents: Grandma Retta (Larsen), Grandpa Dee (Larsen, and Grandpa Sitterud.

Making ornaments for Grandma's grandkid tree.

More craftiness.

Christmas Bingo.

Finally opening presents. The kids get to open 3: one from a cousin (we draw names), one from Grandpa and Grandma, and one from Grandma's "elf" who finds our party every year. It must be because there are so many good boys and girls there.
Cambree was so excited about Backpack. She also got a Tiana doll from Brielle, and a baby doll from the elf. She calls it her Cambree baby because it has red hair like her.

Brennen got Mater legos from Grandpa and Grandma, Cars Legos from Eastyn, and a remote control Lightning McQueen from the elf.

Tyson got a Hero Factory set from Grandpa and Grandma, a hero factory set from Macie, and a remote control car from the elf.

Kaden got a Lightening McQueen Lego set from Grandpa and Grandma, a Nerf football from Rikelle, and a remote control car from the elf.

Aubree got Blendy pens from Grandpa and Grandma, a Young Women value necklace from Dylan, and a manicure set from the elf.

I am so grateful to my mom for putting this together each year. she is such an amazing mom and I have a wonderful family. I am truly blessed to belong with them! I'm also grateful to know that families can be together forever.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Christmas Tree

We always have fun decorating the Christmas tree.

Aubree caught off guard

Cambree showing off her ornament.

Brennen discovered how funny his face looks in the ornament balls!

Tyson going crazy with the tinsel.

Kaden going more crazy with the tinsel.

The finished product. Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Hey Santa!

So it can't be Christmas until we sit on Santa's knee and tell him our wish for Christmas! This year we saw him early, the week before Thanksgiving, at the Enchanted Forest.

Brennen's wish is for a Buzz Lightyear gun, which is different from what he told us previously. The rule in our family though is once you tell Santa, you can't change your mind, so Santa still had plenty of time to pull it off!

Aubree's wish is for the new Harry Potter Scene It game with all 8 movies. Or pretty much anything to do with Harry Potter.

Tyson's wish is for an iPod. Can Santa do that? I guess so, if you are very good!

Cambree is still not much of a Santa fan, but she still managed to tell him she wanted Dora.

Kaden thought he was too cool for Santa (Gosh I hate this growing up stuff), but was informed that if he didn't talk to the big man, his wish may not be granted. So he stood there (too big for his lap mom!) and told him he wanted a General Grevious Lightsaber.

Fall Fun

We have 7 huge trees in our yard along with many smaller ones and bushes as well, so fall raking is no small task. Luckily, my kids think it is the most fun job ever!