Christmas in Oregon

We spent a really lovely 10 days in Oregon with my family for Christmas. We had fun with cousins, went ice skating, saw movies, went swimming (Madras has a pretty cool indoor acquatic center), opened lots of presents, and just generally had a great time. Thanks so much to my Dad and Mom who worked hard and were so patient having us in their house. I know it must be hard to go from two to ten people in your home. It was truly a Christmas for the record books. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Got to stay the night with Robers up in Sacramento on the way up. The kids picked up right where they left off:



Ice Skating:














This isn't the greatest picture, but it illustrates the first comment the Joe IV heard everywhere we went, "Wow Joe, you're so tall". He hasn't passed me up yet, but he did pass all three of the aunts we saw over the holiday:



These two were fast friends:




As were these two, granted without the public enthusiasm as the five year olds:




A little Christmas Eve wrestling...wouldn't be Christmas without it:






ANd then of course the traditional Christmas Eve present:





Christmas morning lineup:



Then off to church at NINE am:





This boy is looking more and more like the man I met fifteen years ago:






After church it was back home and back to pajamas for present opening:








Maggie made hats for each one of her FIVE brothers:









Maggie and I got some matching Toms - I think I was more excited than she was:









Still couldn't completely keep out the cupcakes:





And no trip to Oregon is complete without a trip to super cool aunt and uncle Jann and Alan's for some target practice:






Don't forget the hearing protection:



This might be my favorite picture of all....all five of my boys out playing together at my childhood home:



Minus the snow, our Christmas was pretty much picture perfect. One I'm sure we'll always remember.