To give credit where credit is due, the original image came from http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/tech_support_cheat_sheet.png

One of those traditions is to give the kids something small on Christmas Eve. This year they got pajamas.

Another tradition is that on Christmas morning we let the kids go one at a time to see what they have in their stocking.

Madelynn had a lot of fun opening her presents and seeing the surprise inside.

Candy is something that they always get in their stockings

It is also very satisfying to see the expressions on the kids face when they get a gift they have always wanted.

Madelynn got a lot of clothes, she has been out growing so fast that it is hard to keep up.

The older kids got a new computer so they will keep off of their moms.

Sidewalk chalk was also something that the boys got.

Raelynn got a new doll.

The all got roller blades which will help them play outside more.

The kids have wanted Guitar Hero for a long time and we have borrowed it from Jared a couple times. So we decided to get them instruments of their own. We now have outr own little band in the house.

Madelynn certainly is not one to be left out.

The big gift of the year is a Nintendo Wii.

Anna had us this year and she was very creative and generous.

The night before the wedding we all participated in a nice dinner.

That evening all the McLaughlin boys and Jared “Best Man” had little Bachelor party.

The day of the wedding both Jared and Danielle were very happy and anxious.

After the wedding we all traveled to Tuscon for the reception. They had a clever little table setup with several jars of candy. Each guest was suppose to fill up a bag and take it with them. As you can see it was a big hit.

We stayed there for a couple days and on the first day Raelynn slept over at the Marshel’s. That next morning Seth and Raelynn made breakfast for everyone that was at their house. Unfortunately, Jennifer and I were not there until later. I had to borrow these pictures from Anna.

For Thanksgiving we had a very large dinner and a lot of people. As you can see from the pictures there were also lots of kids, and teh mothers were hovering over them, providing for their every need.

The blessing took place on Saturday morning so some people could get home for Church on Sunday. We choose to stay and go to church in Idaho and leave for home right after.

Just after the Thanksgiving dinner Madelynn got her first haircut. Anna was kind ehough to do this and as you can see it was very cute.

Well it was Keaten’s birthday recently and he turned the magical age of 4.

The kids are very excited to begin opening the presents. Often the other children are more excited than the birthday child.

This year we tried to keep it a bit more practical by giving him some needed cloths

I really love this picture. while Keaten is showing off his gifts, Madelynn is in the background having a blast with a box. I think next year we will just give he boxes.

Despite how much fun cloths are we also wanted to give him a few toys and moves. He specifically asked for Curious George and Caillou movies.

We have a tradition of going to a particular pumpkin patch and picking out pumpkins.  At the place they have a corn maze, slides and other activities.

Picking out pumpkins is also a lot of fun. We let the kids pick there own.

This year Jaren and Raelynn got to dress up for school. They were suppose to choose a costume that related to what they were learning. Jaren choose to dress up as a mummy because he was studying Egypt. Raelynn dressed up as a pirate because she was studying the War of 1812.

We reused those costumes for Trick or Treating and we dressed up Keaten as a leopard and Madelynn as a Lady Bug.

Before the baptism Jennifer’s mom sewed a beautiful baptism dress for Raelynn.  Jennifer took Raelynn out in the yard to take some pictures.

On the baptism day everyone wants pictures, so we posed for a few. Jennifer also snuck in a few pictures of Raelynn and I after she was baptised.

After we got home we had a little lunch for everyone.

Raelynn received a few gifts from friends and family, including her first scriptures, a scripture case,  scripture markers, and two journals.