Christmas 2013 in Logan

We took the girls for some Christmas grocery shopping on the 24th and ran into ol' Saint Nick (he was in line buying things but agreed to a shot with the girls).

Although the girls were thrilled to see Santa, they were intimidated to actually stand next to him.  The beard was real, by the way.

 Lee's grocery offers small shopping carts for kids, and Avril and McKel loved them.

"You get the oranges and I'll get the bananas."

 Some of the Christmas decorations Gayle arranged in our home this year (above and following).

 Gayle used this for a Halloween and then a Thanksgiving tree.  Now it's dressed up as a Christmas tree.

 Sporting reindeer antlers.

 Christmas morning fun time!

 The Parkinson men.

 A new driver (permit) in our midst, contemplating gifts.

 The newlyweds celebrating their first Christmas together.

 Auntie and Avril.

 Matriarch and patriarch.

 Later on Christmas day we gathered at Grandma Joyce's for more activities.

 Jared and grandma Joyce.

 Avril loves presents (these were from Tracine).

 After some scripture reading we sang Christmas songs, rang carols on chimes, and listened to stories told by Tracine.

 We caravaned on down to the Legacy House to visit grandpa and let him open some gifts. We also sang carols to him.

 Alicia accompanied the group.

Some of the guys.

 More of us.

 Bros. (hermanos).

 New shirts and slippers!

 On Saturday the 28th we re-gathered at grandma Joyce's to unite with Trish, Kelly, Olivia, and the boys for some more family time and calories.  Here are Adrian and his girls.

 Jared and the Robert Parkinson men.

 Trish holding Edison.

 Olivia (now 12 and in 6th grade - middle school) and her dad Kelly.

 Parker and George, getting in some exercise on grandma Joyce's sofa.

 Gayle and me (sporting the start of a goatee, which I shaved the next day).

 Robert and Tracine.

 The beautiful hostess.

Other December Pictures

Alicia and Mike had their wedding reception here in Logan on December 14th.  We were so incredibly busy that we neglected to take any pictures at the actual event.  But we did take these of some of the decorations that Gayle put together and also scanned in their reception invitation. Note that we carried through with the beach theme for the decorations.

 The shell display at the guest book table.

 This one had a real seahorse enclosed with the shells.

 This is the table center piece being designed at our house.

Another angle of the center piece created for the reception.

And finally, here's a shot of the girls shopping with nana and papa earlier this month.  They insisted on driving in this car-cart.

McKel's Birthday Party

McKel's birthday is December 10, but we were able to get together as a family on Sunday the 8th to celebrate her third birthday.  Here are some shots of the festivities:

 

 

Unfortunately, McKel was feeling sick that day, but she was able to make it through the entire evening OK.

 

 Avril and McKel were happy their friend Sierra was able to come to the party.

We sang Happy Birthday as Mike carried the birthday cupcakes that Alicia made.

 Nana holding the birthday girl.

 Auntie Arleen, uncle Adrian, and cousin Brit joined in too.

 JJ to the rescue, bringing tissues to those in need.

 Time for presents.  What fun!

Happy times.