One of my birthday gifts--a giftcard to Starbucks. Can never have too many of those.:)

We flew to the great northwest to celebrate my birthday, Christmas and New Year's with my side of the family. Mike flew up with us and the kids did pretty well on the plane ride. The kids also did well sleeping at my sister's house. Clayton shared our room and Jenelle got to sleep in the same room with her cousins part of the time. That's a treat. Jenelle and her cousin that is the same age as her have not gotten along well since they were mobile (unless they're both in the same room watching a movie). We are thinking of giving them overstuffed boxing gloves in a couple of years and just letting them duke it out.:) My sisters had a nice schedule for us while we were there which included getting our family picture taken. We all wore blues, browns, and greens with blue jeans. The pictures (done by Picture People whom I would highly recommend) turned out very well. We also got to celebrate my birthday, Christmas and have our annual New Year's Eve burping contest--which Mike won this year. It was nice to spend time with all of them.
Mike flew back on New Year's Day and my parents flew back with the kids and me on the 4th. Our plane was 1 1/2 hours late which was not so bad, but I am so thankful my parents flew with me. It made it more possible for me to continue on after I got my Bath and Body soaps taken away from me (because I didn't think of those things being liquids when I packed them in my carry on luggage) and broke down in tears--probably PMS. Anyway, I learned my lesson. My parents helped get us all situated on the plane and didn't leave me until they had safely deposited the kids and me with Mike when he picked us up. We are just about back to our normal schedule now that we are home. It was fun to watch the kids enjoy being back home and seeing them regain their own territory. Happy 2008!

We parked our car and took a bus to the airport. Just the start to our adventure.

My sister made a delicious dessert known in our family as "Donna's Brownies". Chocolate, marshmallows, and more chocolate. Mike got the honor of carrying my birthday dessert. It was Mmmm good.

My mom finished Clayton's stocking. She has made one for each of us. A lot of work.
We all helped to fill them for each other.

Making a gingerbread Nativity scene. They had a great time.

A gift to Jenelle from my sister. It says, "I get my good looks from my mom." She'll probably be wearing that shirt a lot.:)

The cousins enjoying a movie together on the couch.

My sisters and dad got into playing with the kids--full costumes including hats made of trashcans and a motorcycle helmet. Very funny.
Jenelle receiving some special attention.

Audience members for the family play.

My sister's kids, my 2 sisters and my brother-in-law put on a play for us--"The Messed Up Christmas"--very creative and funny.