A few of my favorite people

The majority of my family was able to get together over Christmas this year, which was awesome. We had a good time spending time together. At least I think we did. I did, anyway. So, here are a few pictures from our few days together. By the way, you may notice Mom and Mark are not in the skating pictures. They were hanging out outside the rink, watching the excitement.

Making cookies for Santa

Emma tested the gingerbread cookies to make sure they were OK. They were.

After Nathan read the Christmas story, the kids helped Grandma retell it using flannel-graph figures.

The kids needed to know where Santa was before they went to bed, so Ken checked the tracker for them.

On Christmas morning, we were able to talk to Andrew and Rachael via Facetime. Cool invention!

Avery read the Christmas story again on Christmas morning before we opened presents.

Under the high chair was the perfect place for Erin and Emma to browse their new Kindle Fires.

We went to the Railyard in Lincoln Friday night to try the ice at the Ice Rink. Nathan and Amanda thought it was good. I think they were just looking for an excuse to hold hands.

Emma

Avery

Ryan

Ken, Brenden and Alissa

Dads and daughters - Ken, Erin, Emma and Nathan

Erin

We went to Lazlo's for dinner, but Mark was too busy checking his phone to pay attention to us mere mortals. His fans, Ryan, Avery and Brenden, took their style cues from him.

Emma and Erin had fun at Lazlo's, too.

Erin and Ryan helped Grandma take down her Christmas tree Saturday to make more room for football game seating.

Ryan, Avery and Erin got a bit carried away with the tape, though. Just ask Brenden.

Pick a screen, any screen.

Pete the Cat was popular reading material. Between Grandma and me, I think we read Brenden's new books about a hundred times. Did we cry? Goodness no. We kept walking along and singing our song. Oh, wait ...

 A good time was had by all. And I hope we have more of them in 2015. Happy New Year, everyone.