Christmas with the Britts

This definitely was a different Christmas this year having Nolan gone on his mission. We all missed him so much. It was so good to talk to him on Christmas Day. We got to talk for about an hour and a half. We had three phones on our end so we all could get in some good listening time. He loves it there and doesn't have a spec of homesickness, which makes me happy and sad all at the same time. He was able to see his first baptism the day after Christmas and he said that was a totally awesome experience. It was a young newly wed couple and they had the mission leader from their ward baptize them because he was the one who referred them to the missionaries. They have a couple more baptisms planned for the end of the week.

Back here in little ole' Fillmore Christmas was good. All except for me and Brielle being sick. The kids still wanted to get up before six (and Nolan thought we would be able to sleep in this year) and we had all the presents opened and breakfast ate by nine. Mahala got her prized pink camo chi straightener and a big surprise of a new camera and case, Morgan and I both felt so bad for having hers get stolen at the Festival of Trees, that we went in and got her a new one. It's even cuter than her last one, although it doesn't have all her pictures of her brother saved on it like the last one did. Nicklaus was easy this year because he didn't need or want anything. He got some things for his room now that he has taken over Nolan's, to make it his own. I don't know what Nolan will think about that though. He still loves his Nerf guns which makes me happy cuz nothing says Christmas like the sound of a nerf bullet whizzing by your head and hitting Mahala in the behind and having her scream and chase Nicklaus around the house. We got new movies and new wii games to play as a family. Morgan and Kyle got Adam and I a beautiful picture of the ST. George temple. I am going to paint my family room and then get it hung up. Adam always spoils me and it makes me guilty but only for a minute. I get one day a year and he gets the other 364.

Well as usual Christmas came and went by way too fast. Before you know it this year will be over with and we will be into 2010. I hope next year brings everyone health and happiness. Happy New Year to everyone.

Bracken Christmas Party.

Brielle, Carly, Megan, and on top Camielle. Ashlynn was sleeping all ready

I just have to say how much I love my family. My family isn't very big so my cousins have let me adopt me and my family into their family. I love them all so much and I am so jealous of the relationships they have with each other. I am hopeful that one day my kids will have what they all have with each other. It was at Kris and Jens house this year, so thank you for putting up with all of us. Your house looked beautiful and all the food was delicious. I made all the little girls these red Christmas beanies and I think they all looked so cute in them. Brielle loves to wear hers and I hope the rest will like them too.

Nicklaus loves to entertain his little buddy cousins. I think he kind of likes being the oldest one around when he is with them. Nicklaus is always very kind hearted but he loves to rough house with them and get them all stirred up. Nicklaus and Brandon

We always have dinner. Play a few games and then supposedly a small program but that didn't happen this year. The person in charge of that didn't show up. Then we do a family gift exchange. Every year it is different and it is so fun to see the clever ideas that everyone comes up with. Kim and I kind of thought alike but her basket put mine to shame. I really wanted to steal it from my dad but Nicklaus said I had enough smelly things at home. He just doesn't understand girls yet I can tell. I took a ton a pictures but once again they are all side ways and I don't know how to turn them so if any one knows the secrete trick to this, do pass it on.

Kyle and Morgan with their gift basket and Kim holding Ashlynn her greatest present ever, well one of her four.

Thanks again everyone and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas.

Festival of Trees

This tree was so cute but the Grinch kinda freaked me out a little bit.

This tradition started along time ago with my mom. All us girls would take the day and spend it at the Festival of Trees, go to lunch and do some shopping. I love to still be with my three favorite girls and I know my mom is there enjoying it with us in spirit. This trip had a hard time coming to be. Everyday had something going on. Finally I just took Mahala out of school and we went up on opening day. I thought it would be packed but really it was the best time to go because there was hardly anyone there. I thought we would start the day off by letting Brielle see Santa and that was a disaster from the beginning. Brielle loves her stroller and bawled when we took her out of it so I told Mahala to take the stroller over to the other side of Santa where you came out at. She did but she left hers and Morgans camera right on the stroller. We could see it the whole time and was only about 30 feet away from it but someone managed to steal Mahala's camera right off the stroller. They didn't take Morgans so that was good for her but not so good for Mahala. She had her shopping money in the camera bag too. She cried and cried but it was mostly because it had all her pictures of her and Nolan before he left on his mission. I felt so bad for her and it kinda put a damper on what was supposed to be a really fun day. Can you believe that someone would go to the Festival of Trees and steal a camera. And then on top of that Brielle would not even get close to Santa, she just screamed, " No ho ho ho". Mahala said she hopes that the camera breaks and that the money rips in two. I promise who ever stole it will have some one greater than Mahala's threats to answer to eventually. So if any one sees a screaming deal on a camera let me know.

This was Brielles favorite tree, well one of them. She absolutely loves Pooh Bear but there were also some cool car trees that she loved as well. She was so good and loved just being in here stroller looking at all the trees. It was so fun to have her enjoy it so much. I guess all the treats that she got didn't hurt her disposition either. If you have every had one of their scones you know what I mean. Yummy. Morgan's favorite tree was the Lucy and Ethel tree and it was really cute too. It was so totally Morgan. My favorite one was the one for Gracie Gledhill. It was really a pretty tree but the story of the remarkable family is why it is my favorite. I took a picture of it but it is side ways and I have no idea if you can turn them so they are right side up.

This tree or should I say set of trees was incredible. Not so much the design but the price tag. It was still for sale, with a hefty price tag of $12,900.oo Yes I said twelve thousand, nine hundred dollars. Crazy huh. It had four or so trees set up with a line strung between them that had Star Wars ships on them and the trees were covered with collectible figurines, very old valuable figurines. I guess if you had the money and you were going to buy a tree there this is the one you should have bought. Your purchase is tax deductible and you have items that are only going to appreciate in value, but come on, who has $12,900 just lying around. But hey if you do can I borrow a couple of hundred to get my girl a new camera?

It was still a fun, busy, rushed day. I hope this is a tradition that will keep with us for many years to come.