Jason, Nicole and Sydney arrived first! They came in Wednesday morning. I had a day to play and bond with Sydney before everyone arrived which was perfect. Thursday we went to this bounce house and Nicole and I had a blast watching Jason Sydney have a blast playing together. I am putting a video some of the bounce fun at the end.
Sydney was very good at figuring out how to climb up everything is very brave for a 2 year old!
The Kendalls arrived Thursday afternoon. The Chapmans came in late Thursday night, so we didn't see them until Friday morning. We started out the day Friday going to watch Jonathan's Madrigals perform at South Jordan Elementary. Grandma and Grandpa Ellis and the Kendalls came and watched with Richard and I. It was a great show.
Next on the Friday morning activity list was a Princess Tea Party for Tessa's birthday. We had pink milk, pink cupcakes, pink marshmellows and applesauce (Tessa's favorite food).
Here's Princess Sophie with her cousin Elise.
Friday night we had a fish fry for Josh's birthday dinner.
Jane and Jacob comparing head sizes and chubby legs. Jacob is 5 months and Jane is 7.
Steph enjoying Jacob's squishiness. And letting the future boy cousins bond.
3 cute Christmas girls in matching shirts.
The grandkids minus the 2 year olds who just don't sit still very well.
3 first Christmas cuties!
Jane looking so grown up in the high chair.
Sydney showing off her cute pjs!
Saturday after lunch we had the First Annual Quincy DDR Tournament mentored and organized by Jenny and James. I have a couple of videos at the end of the blog. This is the first contenders Sophie and Tessa.
We had a great time at Grandma Ellises Saturday night, with everyone but Jack and Steph attending. They had a dinner with Steph's mom. I left my camera home, but Jess and James got some great pictures.
Here we are Christmas morning waiting for the Chapmans and Josh, Meg and Elliott to arrive.
They made it and the wild rumpus began.
There were stocking and presents everywhere!
Elliott loved her new phone! We had church from 9 to 10. I sang in the choir and got a kick out of watching all most all of my kids in the congregation (Joni and Gino had to head to his brother's house). My good friend and neighbor said, as they walked in, ; "Your family is so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes". I smiled and had a few tears myself during sacrament meeting.
That afternoon Joni and Gino brought their Golden retriever and the new puppy over to play. Sophie and Tessa were thrilled. Somehow I got no shots of Gino and missed Dean in all of these.
Bounce house.
Creative Dancers.
The Championship dance. Jonathan, as predicted won, but Jenny gave him a run for his money.
Elliott climbs the stairs for the first time!
This morning we all went to the Jump and Bounce place we took Sydney to last week. These girls had lots of fun.
Richard was the only adult who got a pass to bounce with them, so I think that he got the most exercise. Jess and I just took pictures and helped them climb in a few of the higher ones. He is such a fun and amazing grandpa.
Here's a few of the videos I got of the action.
The puzzle we started and finished on Christmas.
Steph and her best friends who came to the shower on Tuesday.
Some awesome Ellis women at the shower.
Some awesome Quincy women at the shower.
Jacob holding my ear. He is such a sweet and cuddly little guy!!
All of my out of state kids are home safely now, except the Chapmans who will stay until Monday! So the Christmas joy continues! 
Sydney was very good at figuring out how to climb up everything is very brave for a 2 year old!
The Kendalls arrived Thursday afternoon. The Chapmans came in late Thursday night, so we didn't see them until Friday morning. We started out the day Friday going to watch Jonathan's Madrigals perform at South Jordan Elementary. Grandma and Grandpa Ellis and the Kendalls came and watched with Richard and I. It was a great show. 
Next on the Friday morning activity list was a Princess Tea Party for Tessa's birthday. We had pink milk, pink cupcakes, pink marshmellows and applesauce (Tessa's favorite food).
Here's Princess Sophie with her cousin Elise.
Friday night we had a fish fry for Josh's birthday dinner. 
Steph enjoying Jacob's squishiness. And letting the future boy cousins bond.
3 cute Christmas girls in matching shirts. 
The grandkids minus the 2 year olds who just don't sit still very well.
3 first Christmas cuties!
Jane looking so grown up in the high chair. 
Sydney showing off her cute pjs!
Saturday after lunch we had the First Annual Quincy DDR Tournament mentored and organized by Jenny and James. I have a couple of videos at the end of the blog. This is the first contenders Sophie and Tessa.
We had a great time at Grandma Ellises Saturday night, with everyone but Jack and Steph attending. They had a dinner with Steph's mom. I left my camera home, but Jess and James got some great pictures.
They made it and the wild rumpus began.
There were stocking and presents everywhere!
Elliott loved her new phone! We had church from 9 to 10. I sang in the choir and got a kick out of watching all most all of my kids in the congregation (Joni and Gino had to head to his brother's house). My good friend and neighbor said, as they walked in, ; "Your family is so beautiful they bring tears to my eyes". I smiled and had a few tears myself during sacrament meeting.
That afternoon Joni and Gino brought their Golden retriever and the new puppy over to play. Sophie and Tessa were thrilled. Somehow I got no shots of Gino and missed Dean in all of these.
Bounce house.
Steph is so good with the kids. They all love her and the baby boy inside her.
Jacob and Elliott sizing each other up. They weigh almost the same! Jacob is 4 month and Elliott is 10 and a half months.
Aunt Joni loved Jacob and he loved her. He laughed and smiled at her more than he did for me!
My niece Ann eating. I had to get a shot because she's gotten so slim, I wondered if she really does.
Some old farts (my dad, my brother-in-law Kent, and Richard)figuring out how to save the world.
Women (my niece Mary, my sisters Kathy and Nancy) figuring out how to help each other.
A couple of great nieces; Jane and Mills.
Meg, Elliott, poor Josh and Jack.
In the background is the latest married couple (Cameron and Alexis) in the family and in the foreground is the newly engaged couple (Amanda and Jacob).
We got to tend the Chapman kids while their mom and dad went to the temple yesterday. Sophie is not excited about waiting another minute to get outside to play.
Jacob was very good. Just when he got fussy Jack and Steph arrived and Steph got him to settle right down. She's going to be such a great mother!
We had Tessa open her birthday present early because I can't make it for her party in Denver. Its just after the plane ticket prices go up for the holidays. This really is a smile, I promise!
Jonathan sporting his new Black Friday jacket (which was supposed to be for Christmas) and his lovely expression. 
Sophie and Tessa posing in front of the Christmas tree they helped to decorate. I haven't had so much fun decorating since my kids were small!
When I got up this morning I found Jess and Jacob like this on the love seat. He was so sweet and Jess was just adoring him. I loved it! 
And this is the shot of most of the group we had for Thanksgiving dinner at my mom's church. It was an extra large crowd with lots of the out of towners there! Thanks for making the trip and for coming from near and far family! You are some of my very favorite people!
Its nice to know that my family who wasn't with us got together in Texas! I love this holiday! Its all about being thankful for things and food and being with family! How could I not love it?
