Bunting Family Pictures

Since we were all together, we decided to have family pictures.

(or I persuaded everyone else that we should have family pictures)

Heather's friend Dixie took these for us and did a fantastic job…

The whole familia

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids

Mom & Dad with their kids

A good one of Mom and Dad together

The Newlyweds!

Not so newlyweds--Chad & Jordan 

Garrett looks super excited and Luke not so much 

Paul, Me and our kiddos

And Troy, who's flying solo

(maybe he could use this for a dating profile picture)

All the cousins 

(lots of personality here!)

2 Weeks Past Christmas?!

I can't believe how quickly the holiday season went!

We had a wonderful week--

many friends visited for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

our kids were happy and excited

(so excited that they piled in our bed at 5:45 am, so we started nice and early that day)

Paul and I were able to sleep in a little, go for runs together, watch movies, and read by the fireplace.

And my mom and dad came the day after Christmas to play with the kids 

and watch them while Paul and I celebrated our 14th anniversary in the city.

I also got to spend a lot of time in my new kitchen! 

(that is a post for another day)

Most of all, I just felt so much joy and love and happiness.

It was a perfect Christmas--we have so much to be thankful for and I felt those blessings this year.

I helped out at Afton's party (here she is with her cute teacher)

In their nice duds for Christmas Sunday

Waiting for the OK to see if Santa came

Our Lego-maniac is still going strong

Lots of American Girl fun!

Nora loves her Minnie and Mickey and double stroller

Figuring out our big family gift--a trip to DisneyWorld 

(starts this weekend)

 with Grandma and Grandpa Bunting

Christmas Wrap-Up

Because December turned out to be very busy,

I didn't end up posting for each of our fun activities.

So, before January comes tonight, I figured I would share a few fun pictures from our Christmas fun...

 Uncle Troy brought some fun gingerbread houses that were pre-baked with icing and candies.

It was perfect for the kids, and for mom!

The darling girls in their Christmas dresses and handsome Matthew in his new suit!

 We decorated gingerbread houses again with our friends.

I found an awesome pattern that makes four small houses with one batch.

They are the perfect size for kids (and the moms) to decorate!

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve with friends.

We enjoyed dinner and a brief Christmasprogram together.

(with 20 kids--most under 5--it is best to keep things brief!)

 Afton conducted the program...

 Paul told a story about a camel who learns about Christmas from the Christ Child.

(I love all the little girls piled around him!)

 The picture of everyone's shoes stacked up by the door makes me smile!

And finally, Christmas morning was here...

 the Lego-mania continues

 Nora has her hands full with her new "Bitty-Twins"

 Afton loved the clothes and books Santa brought for her

 Halle was excited about everything, but especially her new Barbie camper!

 opening stockings before we started presents

And the cherry on top?

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit the day after Christmas!

 We went to movies, played games, had Grandma sew up a few things, and watched bowl games.

Nora was a little upset that they didn't take her home with them today.

We had a wonderful Christmas season, filled with friends and family.

What more could we ask for?

We wish all of you a very happy 2012!

Great-Grandparents

I don't think our kids understand how lucky they are

They have 3 sets of great grandparents!

We love when we get to see them and our kids get to know these wonderful people.

They all played a huge part in who Paul and I became

and now who are kids will become.

This is Grandma Ann and Grandpa Ed with me, my kids, and my two nephews

This is Paul's grandma La Rue

Paul and kids with Grandma & Grandpa Johannsesen

We have such amazing grandparents and are so glad to pass their traditions, examples, and memories onto our kids!

Christmas Company

"Would it be so bad to ask the grandparents to stay at a hotel?"

(Christmas Vacation)

Just kidding!

We love when Grandma and Grandpa come to visit.

Thanks for coming to play, watch the kids, do some house projects,

hang out, tend to the sick, and keep the post-holiday blues away!

We love you!

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit after the cousins left.

We had so much fun--

Grandpa and Matt played Battleship, we went to see A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre, we saw a couple movies, Grandpa helped Afton with her new guitar, and we had day-after- Christmas with them.

And, of course, we visited Portillo's!

Thanks for coming out, for the food and movies, playtime with kids, and free babysitting!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 37th anniversary to the commodore and his wife!