Christmas 2008 Part 1

For Christmas we headed West to spend it with family. Our first stop was at Grandpa Joe and Grandma Tonia's house for a couple of days. It was great to get to see them and the girls again. We really don't see them all (and the rest of our family for that matter) as much as we would like. Sunday the 21st we headed to Spokane to stay with Grandpa Alan, Grannie and Uncle D for a few days. On our way over we stopped at my Dad's parents' house, Izzie's Great Grandpa Paul and Great Grandma Chris. Like a spazz, I didn't take any pictures though. We did have a good visit with them though.

Grannie worked late that Sunday, so we hung out with Grandpa Alan and Uncle D for the day. Monday morning when we all got up and started moving around Grannie gave Izzie her first Christmas gift of the year. A brand new cute outfit to wear for the day while we were out playing and doing our last minute Christmas shopping.


Here's Izzie in her new outfit. Thanks Grannie!


Tuesday the 23rd we hung out and played around the house. It's probably good to mention that Spokane got a record snow fall this year, so venturing out was the last thing that we wanted to do. Partly because it was such a chore and mostly because it's hard to tolerate all of the other drivers that forget how to drive as soon as there's any form of precipitation on the ground.

So that afternoon, Jake (my best friend growing up) and I went out to my mom's mom and dad's house to pick them up and bring them up to my mom's house for the afternoon and dinner (they didn't want to drive in the snow storm). First thing my grandma says to me when she gets in the car is "Joey, I have my back seat drivers license, so you be good and drive smart." Priceless. I love my Grandma. She's one of those old people that just says it how it is and what's on her mind. Makes for a good time.

While Jake and I were away, Izzie and Grannie made cookies. Here's the fun that ensued.





Since I missed the cookie making I can't really offer any commentary, but it looks like they had fun. Here's Grandpa sitting by the fire warming up after coming in from outside. He was kind enough to show me his new camera, and then when he figured out that his was better than mine, he wouldn't let it go. Very funny; especially if you knew him.


Here's Grannie and Great Grandma Hazel.


Grandpa Alan finally convince Izzie to ride the rocking horse, and turns out (like most things people try to get her to do) she loved it.


Here's a quick video of the exciting action.



That evening we all sat down for a fabulous dinner. Here we are enjoying life, family, love and relationship.


After dinner it was time for more fun and games. Izzie and Grandpa Alan watched a Baby Einstein video.



Then it was time to open presents (a last minute decision since Grandma and Grandpa were there).


Here's Grandma and Grandpa opening their cards.


Here's Grannie helping Izzie open her sweet new present.


A video.




Here she is afterwords. Grannie is fixing her up with a co-pilot. Thanks Grandpa Alan for putting the pony together.



Izzie thought it was the best. She scooted around the house on that thing for quite a while.


Here we are with everyone for one last picture (Uncle D took it).


It was a good week, and it was great to get to spend time with Grannie, Grandpa Alan, Uncle D, Grandma Hazel and Grandpa Bill.

We left Christmas Eve evening to head back to Grandpa Joe and Grandma Tonia's house because Christmas morning we were heading to Lynnell's families house.