The Jewkes' Annual Christmas Party 
Oh Boy, you'll shoot you're eye out! I hope Santa made a good choice here.
An Electric Scooter from Santa
It was a Christmas full of weapons; Airsoft gun, BB Gun and Nerf Gun. Such Boys. 
Bop It Challenge 
Successful gift giving 
Cole still likes to help everyone open their gifts. 
Leaving Reindeer food on the lawn. 
The boys and their elf "Buddy" 
Getting cookies and milk ready for Santa. 
Jackpot!! 
The Skiby's 
I am finally getting around to photos from Christmas. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day with family. We spent our traditional Christmas Eve at my parent's home. We ate a delicious dinner, opened Christmas Eve gifts and played Creationary. It is like Pictionary but with Lego's. So fun. I would recommend it to a friend. We got an early start on the evening festivities. That was awesome. Nolan had not had Christmas Eve off of work for a few years. Both of us took some time off before Christmas, again a welcomed first.
Everyone headed to our home on Christmas morning. After years of running out the door on Christmas morning, the last two years we have hosted at our house. It is nice that the boys get to play with their toys ALL day instead of spending time running around. While everyone is falling for it, it is my new favorite tradition. I made a egg "stuffing" in the crock pot and chili verde ahead of time for Breakfast burritos, mmm! We ate, hung out with the family, ate, played Bop It (another recommendation), ate, watched Christmas Story, ate, took a nap and then headed to Nolan's parents for more eating and more game playing. We stayed in our jammies all day and that was fabulous.
Early December was different from past Decembers. We didn't see the lights, or the gingerbread houses or go sledding. Nolan did not go to one Christmas Party!! We had all gotten the flu in mid-December and that messed up some of our plans. We (me and the boys) went to the Jewkes' Christmas party, which was a success as always. I had a work Christmas party, no spouses allowed and my Sub-for Santa party with my girlfirends. But I did not do my usual "over-holidaying" as Nolan calls it. Shh! Don't tell him but it was kind of nice.
Our heart broke with Nolan's sister, Melanie, who lost the love of her life on December 21. Ben had fought a hard fight against cancer,and won, then succumbed to Graft vs. Host disease after a bone marrow transplant. He was a trooper and Melanie was by his side through his entire journey. I am so proud of Melanie. She is a wonderful example of what a good partner, lover and friend is. She treated Ben so kind and lovingly. He had to know how much he was loved. We enjoyed hearing Melanie's stories about Ben and appreciated her sharing a little bit of him with us. Melanie worked hard to work out many details and provided strength and support to others. Isn't it odd how it works out that way? I am always surprised by how family and friends rally to lift you up during these hard times. The offers of help, love and support were abundant. Ben and Melanie have so many people who wanted to express their love for them. We love them too.
