It's finally here!

Christmas Eve Eve! Yay! Grandma Kathi and Grandpa Curtis arrived. The night before, Cora started showing major flu symptoms and had a fever for the next 4 days. But while she was down for a hard-won nap, Shelby, Grandma Kathi, and I made some cookies for Santa! 

YUM. 

For dinner, we wanted something fun to eat, so Trevor made homemade salsa and we broiled a big tray of Christmas colored tortilla chip steak nachos. I think it's the start of a new Christmas Eve Eve tradition! 

The next day, the girls and I piled in the car for the drive to Lodi. 

While I was gone, Trevor and his parents set up presents for the girls. 

We go early so that Shelby and Cora have time with their great grandparents and cousins!

Merry Christmas Axel! I know he likes living in Lodi, but he sure is happy to see us when we visit! 

My poor little sick Cora. I thought about staying home, but it would have been too sad. She was so tough. 

I instagrammed to the kids that we had arrived and that it was time to make gingerbread houses! The cousins all responded quickly. The Shuklahs got a new cute dog named Zoe, and Shelby could not have been more excited about her!

We had kits from Target for the gingerbread houses, but only the mini houses were able to stay up! 

After having their houses collapse, most of the kids left to go play with the dog and take pictures of Shelby. 

Only Reid and Leana stayed with me. We had fun anyway! 

Sick Cora got some good Grandma time in while we worked. 

Zoe even got my Dad to like her!

It was fun to look at my camera after the kids took pictures. 

They had so much fun! 

My cousins are MAJORLY addicted to posting pictures on instagram. So I figured a perfect activity for them at Christmas Eve was a photo booth! So Richard helped me hang up some wrapping paper. And I had been gathering hats and other fun things for them to wear. It was a huge hit. They were obsessed and took a million pictures all night long. We even created our own hashtag so we could connect all of our pictures. #lodifamilychristmas 

Love them both so much! 

Uncle Richard to the rescue! He can always make Cora smile. 

Look at baby Shelby back in 2009! 

2012

2009

Cora was not as impressed with my photo booth idea. 

Though snacking on my gingerbread village did help her mood. 

Picture time! 

Shelby loved helping Grandma set up the kids tables this year 

because she knows she's big and gets to sit with them! 

We were able to get the party started a little earlier since us Thompsons had to drive back 

to San Jose later that night. 

The appetizer crowd

Only one more Christmas without Elder Thawley!

Quality time with Grandpa Curtis

More photos from my stolen camera:

Dinner Time! Everyone gather round! 

Prime Rib+Spode Chine=Christmas at the Thawley's!

Mom sure knows how to throw a party! 

And Dad can cut a mean Prime Rib!

Meanwhile at the kid table...

Everyone definitely has their set chairs after almost 20 years of Christmas Eves here. 

These guys even let me sit with them! 

The kids ate quickly and then it was back to playtime. I used to entertain them all Christmas Eve and now they entertain my kids! Family is the BEST! 

Break out those iphones! These pictures won't post themselves! 

Our one family photo of the night! 

Time for the annual cousin picture around the fireplace! 

Cheer up Cora, it's time for PRESENTS! 

It's the best part, everyone opening presents at once! Total cousin Christmas chaos!!!!

After 20 years of gifts, it takes some creativity to get everyone something new and fun. 

But my Mom always rises to the occasion! 

The girls got to open their presents from Great Grandpa before we left. He's the best Grandpa in the world!

Cora LOVED her new princess shoes! 

All she really wanted was to take home a cat. 

Come here kitty kitty!!!!

Can you believe this girl still had a raging fever? Such a trooper. 

Waiting for me to get all my crap together and in the car. 

Richard was the lone kid on Christmas morning this year! 

Time to go Cora? 

Before we left, we all opened our little Montana themed gifts and cards from Brett! So sweet! 

Brrrrr. Let's go home and set out those cookies for Santa. 

And maybe instagram a bit on the ride back too. 

#lodifamilychristmas was the best ever this year!