Family Christmas Vacation! Part 2!

We arrived at the rental house around 1pm after a few stops on the way! 

After unpacking and getting settled in a bit, we let the kids open their "gift exchange" presents. 

And then Taylor got to open his birthday present from us!  A little portable propane heater! 

Aunties looking at baby ultrasound pictures on Valerie's phone . . .trying to spot any hints as to his/her gender! ;-) 

We had our usual "goodie" table loaded with lots of chocolates, cookies, etc.!

We were so blessed when we arrived to the rental house and there was snow on the ground!! 

We decided to take a little walk from the house  . . . a little while into it, we split up!  

This is the rental house! 

Saturday evening, we all brought "finger foods" to contribute to the shared family dinner! John and Valerie made these fruit "Grinch" treats! 

"Pigs in a Blanket!

Taylor's birthday dessert was Valerie's pumpkin cheesecake! We made him endure our singing "Happy Birthday" to him! 

Then, movie night! 

 

Family Christmas Vacation! Part 1!

Some fun preparations took place on Friday for our fun family weekend!

I made one of our family's favorite "Christmas" foods... Poppyseed Bread with amazing almond flavor!

And I also made our family's favorite Christmas cookie . . .Mexican Tea Cookies! Valerie came over and spent the day making pumpkin cheesecakes, and apple pie, and Christmas Chocolate Chip and M-n-M cookies!  She was a huge help with all the baking!  And Daddy spent a couple hours chopping lots of ingredients in preparation for our Monday morning made-to-order omlette breakfast! 

Saturday morning, before heading out for our fun weekend, was Taylor's birthday breakfast . . .Stuffed French Toast! 

 Then we left around 9am for our 3ish hour drive to Easton, WA!