Christmas 2011

DECEMBER 2011
Traditionally ever since my parents were divorced I spent Christmas Eve with my dad and Christmas day with my mom.  We have kept that tradition for many many years, into adulthood, but once all the kids started having kids, my parents realized that Christmas Eve, Eve would be better.  So we celebrate Christmas Eve, Eve with my dad and Janette and siblings and nieces and nephews.  And then Christmas morning we went to my mom and Vern's house.  My favorite Christmas traditions include: Chinese food Christmas Eve with my dad and Janette, looking at Christmas lights at the Mission Inn in Riverside, Christmas breakfast with my mom including hot chocolate, egg soufflé, baked cinnamon apples and cinnamon rolls and attending church where the primary children sing.  And I'm sure I'll be adding more traditions as the years go by!  Below are pictures from our marathon Christmas in 2011.

Grandma Susie came over to help mommy and Lorelai decorate the Christmas tree

Lorelai was so excited when we bought the sparkly snowflakes

I see you, mom!

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and baby Gwen was crawling all over while we were decorating

Lorelai met Santa for the first time at the Mission Inn

Christmas Eve, Eve with Grandpa Cordell, Lorelai and Mia the dog

Christmas Eve eve at grandma and grandpa McDonald's house!  We love it!  Melissa & Gwen Lane

Christmas doesn't get any better than with my two girls!  Gwen (10 months) and Lorelai (2 1/2)

Mommy got off work early to take these two babes to get a cupcake at Casey's

Christmas Eve at the Hafer's house! We did a full nativity with the Hafer family, missionaries and Jergensen family

Lorelai, the little shepard. 

Christmas Morning! 



Gwennie and her baby toys

Dad's helping Lorelai check out her stocking

Lorelai told Santa she wanted paint

Grandma Janette got Lorelai a Ariel doll and Auntie Stevie got her Rapunzel

All tuckered out from Christmas festivites

Lorelai's testing out her new curling iron on mommy's hair

A brand new Baby Nathan McDonald held by his great grandpa Ed Ludloff and Lorelai

We headed over to grandma Susies house for breakfast.  Gwen, Lorelai, Melissa and Bill Bien.  Also Stevie, Mike, baby Nathan, Suzette and Grandpa Ed Ludloff were at Susie and Vern's for breakfast.