Holiday Season :)

We had such a wonderful Holiday season!!!  We got to celebrate for many days.  Luckily Mike was off work and we tried to take advantage of the time together.

Our official celebrating started Christmas Eve Day with the annual Durfee Grandkid Christmas Party.

Okay, so there are times that we act like kids still... :)

But then we decide to grow up... :)

Christmas Eve night was tons of fun!  We let the kids come sleep in the basement, so we could all be together, just like old times!  The little boys, Jeffrey and Danny (and Becca, but she won't admit it, haha) decided to build a fort to sleep in.

We had tons of treats and watched a few shows together, until finally everyone went to bed to wait for Santa to come!!

The whole family got up at 5:00 am, because Bryce had to go to work.  It was a little too early if you ask me... :)

The Buhler Family must have been good, for as you can see, Santa definitely came!

This was our little section of the couch...

Mike was our official "present opener" because Madi wasn't very interested in being up at 5:00 am in the morning.

Doesn't Mike look hot in this bib?!?! :) hahaha :)  Notice our BYU attire... We have made this a yearly tradition that we get BYU stuff, and wear it on Christmas Eve.  It's been fun to do!

After we finished upstairs, we went back down to our "hole" and opened the presents we had for each other down there.

We must have been good as well!  :)  We felt so spoiled this year!! 

After opening presents, we went back to sleep for a little bit, then went to church.  After church we had a nice meal with the Buhlers, and then were able to talk to Elder Sam Buhler over Skype in Mexico City!  It was so much fun!  He looks great, and is seeing tons of success!

After talking to Sambo for a while, we left to go to the Robbins' Christmas Eve Party.  They decided to celebrate Christmas on Monday.  I feel awful, but I forgot the camera, so I don't have any pictures from our party there.  It was tons of fun though!  The nativity put on by the grandkids never fails to amuse us!  They are adorable!!

We were able to sleep over at Mike's great-grandma Ina's house, who conveniently lives next door to Mike's parents.  We got up early Monday morning and opened presents with the Robbins! :)  It was delightful!  After opening presents and having breakfast, we had a little nap, and then got ready for the day.  We then went to Salem for the Smith (Mike's Mom's Family) Family Reunion.  We played basketball, had delicious breakfast casseroles and had a very intense white elephant gift exchange! 

After all this excitement, we returned home and have pretty much been little hermits for a few days.  It's been nice to just spend time together, and get some things done, as well as cheer on the victory of the BYU Cougars winning their bowl game!!  We got all the Christmas decorations cleaned up, which was bittersweet, but necessary. :)  Unfortunately, both Mike and Madi were sick for about three days.  It was NOT FUN!  I was praying that I didn't catch it too... for who would take care of them? :)  I must be living right, because I managed to stay well and they FINALLY got feeling better. 

Then, to celebrate New Years Eve, we went to Red Robin with Mike's parents, and Dave, Lindsey, and London.  It was a blast!  (Kicking myself right now, because this time I did have the camera in the diaper bag, but forgot to pull it out. :(   )  We all returned back to the Robbins, and watched the Utes bowl game, and helped clean up the Christmas decorations.  After that, we went to Nate and Kim's house for a New Year's Eve party.  We played "Fruit Slice" and then had some yummy food.  We then taught them how to play "Hand and Foot."  It was tons of fun, and a great way to celebrate the new year!

We are so grateful for 2011, as so many exciting things happened for us.  Most importantly the birth of our beautiful daughter Madilynn Alora.  We have loved looking back at all the fun times with our family and friends.  We are extremely blessed! 

We look forward to 2012 and the wonderful things that will happen this year! 

Love to all!!!

~Mike, Sarah and Madi