Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Holidays

Alright, I am a terrible picture taker! So there are not many for this post..
We had a wonderful holiday season! I wish it wasn't over. Oh well, just have to look forward to next year. 
Here are some of my favorite activities of the season...

Thanksgiving dinner was eaten at my Grandma's house with cousins from Arizona.  It was SO good to see them and fun times are always had when they visit! After dinner we spent the rest of the day visiting Riley's family which is also always a good time. 

I had my first Black Friday shopping adventure with one of my best friends Jessika.  We started at Old Navy at midnight! (Keep in mind Riley and I woke up around 7:00-7:30 on Thanksgiving morning, and no naps) It was packed. After sorta taking our time to gather our treasures the line was wrapped around the entire inside of the store. Wow. So after waiting in line for an hour and a half we finally made it through the first store! Then off to Walmart, gag me.. We were in there for like 2.5 seconds and realized everything had been long picked over. So back to the car and over to Target. I was sure we would be like pretty close to the door because it was 2:30 in the morning. Um..NO. The line was FOREVER long. But we got out of the car and walked to the very back of it and pretty much froze to death waiting in line. Long story short we got in, made our purchases and got out...Right after waiting in line for a PS3 for 2 more hours (no exaggeration). I think Jessika was ready to choke me after that. But thank goodness she didn't and we both promised to remind each other we will NEVER pull a Black Friday all night shopping trip again!

We spent Christmas Eve at Riley's Grandma and Grandpa Gibsons house. Every Christmas Eve Grandma Maryann makes the most AmAziNg shrimp and egg rolls and lots of yummy treats. After eating and playing BINGO we headed rolled over to my Grandmas for presents and dessert. Yum-o!

On Christmas we were able to wake up and open presents with just the two of us which was way nice. And unfortunaetly the only thing i have a picture of is our tree :( I am kicking myself for not taking more.


After opening presents at our house we ran up to Riley's parents and opened presents with them. It was so fun to watch baby Ryder and how he had no idea of what was even going on, and he got 5 times as many presents as the rest of us.  He is the sweetest baby and we all spoil the heck out of him.

 After that we hurried over to my Grandmas again to eat Christmas breakfast and celebrate my big brothers birthday! Poor Tucker is a Christmas baby so we always try to make his Birthday a big deal so Christmas and his birthday are not just blended into one activity. After breakfast we opened presents once again.

Here is the final present break down:
Riley got a PS3, Madden 11,  The Cabelas Dangerous Hunts game, New shoes, 1st and 2nd seasons of How I Met Your Mother, Movies,  a GPS, new hunting knife, warm hunting boots, some new shirts and some gift cards.

Katie got a Bosch mixer :), new camera (thank goodness), Shoes,  pair of jeans, pedicure, hat, spa gift card and lots of movies.



After all of that excitement the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and playing with our new toys. 


For Christmas dinner it is a Nielsen tradition to have Prime Rib. And oh boy it was delicious!

 Don't mind my no makeup disgustingness in this pic. But was one of Ryders christmas outfits. If you cant see what it says.. his little shirt says 'All I want for Christmas is my Auntie' So here he is with his two favorite aunties :)

Both Riley and I had a great Christmas. We are very fortunate and blessed.