Great times in Billings!

We left for Billings around 6am the day after Christmas. We made it there by 1:00. The drive went pretty well. However, nobody slept! But we only stopped twice. My younger sister, Megan, and her family were already there. They got there a couple of days before Christmas. But we decided to go buy Rock Band for Wii because of how much fun we had on Christmas day at Jim and Brandi's and we had brought our Wii to Billings for all the kids to enjoy. We actually got Band Hero, which is very similar to Rock Band. The kids and adults enjoyed it all week!

The next day was Sunday. My older sister Pam and her family were flying in from Arizona that morning. We all went to church together. My parents actually had to speak in Sacrament meeting. They did a great job. That night we opened the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa. We were all spoiled. Bryce and I got a Costco gift card, which is already spent!!

Ellie is checking out her gifts here. She got a darling dress up outfit with a tiara. Check out the cute pictures below.

The boys each got a Wii game and mini bikes to put together. We all enjoyed each other's company that night.

Brittany, Jimmy, and Pam relaxing on the couch.


Luke finishing his 4th bowl of spaghetti. He is a great eater.

Me and Brayden

The Brown family still relaxin'.

Pam was actually sick and got me and dad sick too. But I forgive her.

Ellie and Luke in her new tiara.

Isn't she cute?

The next day we all went sledding. We had a great time. And there were no injuries. I think the temperature was in the 20's, but it wasn't bad. We were all bundled up well.

Grandpa and Grandma with Ellie- great onlookers

Brayden getting ready to head down the hill

Kali- all smiles:)

Megan and Luke

Jim and his boys

Go Tyler Go!!

Ryan and Tyler racing - I believe Tyler won!!

Bryce and Tyler

Sadie Bug

Ryan and Pam

Starting to make trains

Isn't he hot?

Yes, I even went down the hill a few times. Notice Ellie is in between me and Tyler. She wasn't quite sure about sledding.
And last but not least!! Even Grandma tried it out once. Go Mom Go!!

That night after enjoying my mom's homemade chicken noodles over mashed potatoes, we had an auction. My mom had gotten the idea from her sister Ann who does it with her family every Christmas. My mom and dad had bought at least $600 worth of stuff for all ages and types and then we were each given 30 tickets to use to buy what we wanted. Megan's hubby Jim was the auctioneer and did a great job. Everyone had a blast and came away with a lot of stuff. Thanks again Mom and Dad. You guys are awesome!!




We were all listening to the rules for the auction.

Ellie showing some of her new things!!


The boys and Ellie had so much fun playing with their cousins. They played outside in the snow everyday even though it was freezing. They even ventured into the hot tub on a cold night. They were crazy enough to get out and do snow angels in the snow and then jump back in.

This is Tyler, Kali, and Brit. Brayden did it too but he was to fast for me to get a picture of him.

A bit steamy

Brayden thought it was funny how the girls put their hair up in a towel so they showed him how to do it. Hilarious!!

We definitely spent a lot of time eating mom and dad's yummy food. I believe I gained at least 10 pounds over the holidays.

Here he is hard at work. Thanks Dad for cooking so much yummy food, especially the pasta primavera for New Year's Day.

Ellie was his helper with the dishes.


Sadie and Ellie

Ryan, Tyler and Bryce after a great dinner.


Grandpa, Grandma, Pam and Brit after the yummy pasta.


And finally we enjoyed ourselves so much over the holidays, but mainly the opportunity to spend quality time together as a family. Isn't this the cutest thing? Bryce and Ellie having a tea party!!

Christmas Day

Everyone woke up around 6:00 at our house, but we were mean parents and made the kids wait until Bryce and I had showered. Usually I don't shower until after we open presents, but we had to be at Bryce's brothers for breakfast around 8:30. So about 6:45, we were ready to go see what Santa brought.

This is the kids getting the first look!

Ellie was excited about her new 4-wheeler!

Tyler trying out his new electric drum set. He also got a new bat and baseball bag.

Ellie and Grandma and Grandpa figuring out her new dolly. It actually pees and poops!!

Brayden by his new bike. Hopefully the snow melts soon so he can ride it.


Brayden also got some cool airplanes to go in his new room downstairs. His new room was also part of his Christmas presents this year.


This is a picture of the ceiling and wall in Brayden's new room. It has a vintage airplane theme.

Brayden and Ellie in his new room. He is loving being downstairs by Tyler!!

After we opened presents, we tried to clean up a bit before going to Jim and Brandi's for breakfast. We had yummy breakfast casseroles, fruit, and juice. Thanks again Jim and Brandi! After we ate we just hung out there and enjoyed being together. That is the part I love most about the holidays. It is all about spending time with family!

The kids enjoyed playing Rock Band on the Wii. All the adult went down to check out how good Seth was on the drums and we ended up playing too. The boys against the girls. I have it on video on my phone and I will try and get it downloaded. It is pretty funny.

After breakfast we came home and the kids enjoyed playing with their new things. I started to get us packed for Montana. We were leaving the next day to see my parents in Billings for a week. Overall, we had a great Christmas day. But I hate how fast that day seems to fly by.

Oh, and I almost forgot. I was spoiled by Santa too this year. He brought me a 40" flat screen TV for my bedroom. I had no idea he was getting me that. However, at about 2am Ellie woke up and I went to the kitchen to get her a drink and actually noticed the big box and saw Vizio on it. When I returned to bed, "Santa" wasn't too happy with me.

Christmas Eve

We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house this year. Bryce's parents and brother Matt came from Boise. Bryce's other two brothers and their families came too. We had a yummy dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, salad, jello, rolls and a yummy oreo dessert that I made. We enjoyed each other's company and exchanged gifts and then everyone went home to get ready for Santa to come.

Our kids were in bed by about 10:00. Ellie was actually the hardest one to get to sleep, but that is a nightly occurence in our house. I think Bryce and I got to sleep by about midnight.

Seth and Brayden

Broc, Grandpa and Ellie

Grandma, Jessica and Matt

Aunt Darcy stealing a kiss (Tyler had no idea!!)