Oh, There's No Place Like Minot for the Holidays

We spent this Christmas with our sons and their families, since we'll be spending next Christmas with our daughters and their families. So very early on the morning of Christmas eve we flew to Minot AFB, North Dakota, where Garrett and Krystal's family lives.  Tyler, Rachel and Andrew flew in from Colorado later that evening. 

Here's Garrett with his two cuties.

 One of our Christmas eve traditions was to act out the nativity story, and Kent's role was always the donkey that Mary rode on--until the kids got too big.  Garrett and Krystal are continuing that tradition, and you can see Garrett is doing a fine job as the donkey.  I guess Joseph was tired and needed a ride, too.

Here's a picture of Garrett and big sister Lissa riding donkey Daddy in 1986.  The years sure fly by!

 All the stockings lined up in a row on Christmas eve.  I made all of them except Rachel's (I believe her grandma made hers for her) and I haven't made Andrew's stocking yet.

The following photos were taken on Christmas day.

 Makyla had fun with her little cousin, Andrew.

The three of us who were wearing our Christmas finery on Christmas day.

 17-month-old Makayla playing with her new kitchen set.

 Kent and I were soooo excited by this fantastic gift of all the grandchildren.  This picture is now hanging in the kitchen where we can admire it every day.

All ready for our Christmas brunch.

All the Carson guys together.  I'm not sure why we didn't get a picture of all the girls....

 I gave Andrew this "my first Christmas" onesie, which went perfectly with the hat and socks someone else gave him.

 Such proud parents of a truly adorable little boy!

Granddad and Andrew bonding.

 Granddad bonding with Daniel and Makayla, reading The Bike Lesson to the next generation of Carson children.

A day or two after Christmas it wasn't too cold outside, so we bundled up and went for a walk and to play in the snow.

 Daniel is an old pro since he's had lots of experience with the white stuff.

  Three generations of Carson women walking in the snow.

Looks like Tyler and Rachel built an Andrew-sized snowman.

We tried to get the cousins lined up for a photo, but you can guess which child wasn't too excited about it.  By the next photo Daniel had slid off the couch.

 Makayla showing off her ability to stand on an empty box.

 Hey, both Makayla and Daniel are actually smiling in this picture!!

Garrett and Krystal's sweet family after church on Sunday.  Another great picture of everyone smiling!!

I gave Daniel and Makayla The Hungry Caterpillar book for Christmas, and they both really liked it.

 Daniel's third birthday was on December 30th and we celebrated in grand style.  Kent made the party hats and Rachel and I decorated the room.

 Krystal made an amazing volcano cake with orange lava frosting.  It tasted great, too!

 It's hard to believe this little guy is three and is a Sunbeam in Primary this year.

The mild temperatures that we had earlier in our visit didn't last, and it was very cold our last few days in Minot.  And by cold I mean, negative 18 degrees (below zero.)

It may have been cold on the outside, but it was warm on the inside as we spent a week with half of our wonderful family!