The weekend before Christmas the kids and I were able to go up to my Mom and Dad’s house in Alpine for our traditional Harrison Family Christmas Party. The actual party didn’t start until Sunday – but one of my siblings and I (Jess and her family) took my Mom up on her offer to spend Saturday night as well so that we could have more fun playing! We got pizza that night and had fun watching movies until bedtime.
On Sunday my Mom and Dad made us a yummy breakfast of blueberry popeye pancakes, YUM! and then we spent the morning taking showers, watching movies, making our traditional Hungarian cream cheese cookies, and cooking all our yummy food for dinner. My brother Jake and his family all came later that afternoon but unfortunately my niece Jasmine (my brother Lukes oldest girl) had thrown up the night before and so their family ended up staying home so as to not spread any flu bug germs. We sure did miss having them with us and Adam as well (who was gone on a business trip). But we were able to skype with both Luke and his family and Adam – so that made our celebrating a little more cheery.
For dinner we had a wonderful meal of honey baked ham, cheesy potatoes, rolls, peas, and veggies and then for dessert Stacey brought some yummy cheesecake squares. Then it was time for our traditional white elephant gift exchange. The kids all do $1 gifts to each other and then the adults do two random white elephant gifts from around our homes and then two $5 gifts. Then my Mom usually picks up a bunch more random gifts to throw in there as well to make it more fun. This year the $5 gift cards Jake and Stacey brought was the hot item to be stolen! Then Mom and Dad gave all of us kids their presents to us and we to them. Most of us went in on a beautiful picture frame for my Mom and Dad that had each of our families picture with us holding up a large letter that spelled the word FAMILY. It turned out really cute. Mom and Dad got us Outback gift certificates, toys for the kids, a fun kids tent, itunes gift cards and lots of yummy treats. We sure did feel spoiled!
This year our family decided to forgo doing Nana’s workshop (where we normally put bags together for the kids at the food bank) and instead we participated in a Sub for Santa I had put together for a family in our ward who had lost their husband/Daddy unexpectedly at 33 years old leaving a young PREGNANT wife and two children. It was awesome to be able to make their Christmas a little more cheery. Below are a few of the pictures that I actually remembered to take. It got a little busy trying to take care of 4 kids on my own – bless my heart, so taking pictures took a back seat. Enjoy!
The kids getting ready for their gift exchange
Nana holding baby girl
She got to wear her Mrs. Santa outfit for the occasion! Sure love this little girl!
Thanks Mom and Dad for yet another wonderful Christmas! We love you!