Bates Family Christmas

We headed down to Phoenix to do Christmas with Dan's side of the Family on December 23rd.  We really were looking forward to this day.  Everyone's lives are just so busy that we don't get much family time together.  We had a nice day hanging out, eating and exchanging gifts.  Unfortunately we did not get to do our annual tradition of the gingerbread contest, hopefully this wasn't the end of a tradition and it comes back next year.  =)

We started our day off with lots of pictures, we needed new updated ones of the families and four girls together. 

 Dave and Lori's Christmas tree is just so pretty we took more pictures inside.  =)

 Zach and Tahana came over too.  =)

 PRESENT TIME!!

 It was great to see Uncle Bob & Aunt Delaine again this year

 Dave wasnt sure why he got drum sticks for Christmas...

 untill he walked into the bedroom.  =)

 he was so surprised and loved them.  We should ask Lori now what she thinks about them.  Leave it up to a father to buy their kids LOUD toys.  =)

 The girls with Great Grandpa Bates

Cookie Decorating Party

Yes I am still playing catch up...

On December 22nd we had our annual Cookie decorating party and pot luck with Santa.  This year are group grew so much that we moved the party to my neighbors house, because their house is much bigger then ours.  =)  Thank you Jon and Marti for opening up your home to all of us.  We had a great night with family, friends, lots of yummy food, cookies, Santa, laughs, fun and tons of memories were made.  We really have made an awesome group of friends up here and we are just so thankful and blessed for them everyday.  And I am not sure if I have said this before but I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am to have my sister and her family up here, I am so glad that we are doing all these great things TOGETHER!!   Thank you Harwood's. Curry's Perez's, Mora's, Armenta's, McLaws's, Mansky's, Mom and Walter's families for a fun night!

 Our Santa Clay is amazing, so sad that he is now retired, need to find a new one by next Christmas.  =}

 Opening their gifts from Santa