a Paynefully fun weekend!!

We had a WONDERFUL weekend!! It all started when I got a call from my friend, Maria Payne--she asked what we were doing for Christmas and so on until we both decided it would be a must to get our families together during the holiday break, so we began to plan a weekend of fun with the Payne family. Friday night we had our church's Christmas party. Josh & I had to help with the planning, and I spent all Thursday morning decorating (except for the hour I took off to eat lunch with Karston, I spent Friday at Cami's school). We hung Christmas lights from one side of the gym to the other, and with only a few glitches all the lights came on & it looked great. The kids participated in performing the nativity. Karston got to be the donkey, he was excited about that. :) & Cami was a cow, & Kayden was a shepherd. :) It was really cute. And then of course, the big red man himself made a visit (no Uncle Mike didn't make it to our party--it was Santa!) :) Karston was on a mission to make sure Santa knew we might not be at home on Christmas & delivering the presents early might be a good idea---Santa told him he would see what he could do. :) Toward the end of the evening, the Payne family arrived!!!! Well, just in time to help clean up, but of course they didn't mind (I think). he-he We spent the rest of the evening catching up, having fun, and letting the kids entertain one another.

Saturday morning we woke up and Maria and I decided to exercise at the gym together. She is an aerobic instructor (yes, hmmmm) and I'm me, but I decided I could hang & we ran to the gym together (about 4 miles) & then did my favorite class--Body Pump. We had fun! & the next day I wasn't as sore as I thought I might end up. :) We also decided a trip to the beach was a must, even if it was on the colder side. Well, considering that when we got there we thought we were in Alaska (not due to the cold, but the gigantic, humongous mosquitoes) we had to call off our dune surfing. :( We then drove around to see Christmas lights, & then back home again. :) Cami (below) & Nicole (above) playing in the dunes.

Kayden gets in on the action (below).

We had so much fun just hanging out---here's some pics. of our friends:

crazy Tyler!

David & Karston :) Wii buddies!

Anna Banana (as Kayden called her) & our Kay

Sunday morning we all attended church together. We had a great time at church listening to beautiful music--trumpets, cellos, great! We loved singing along & celebrating the birth of our Savior. & then we came home & ate some BBQ. yum! We talked & talked & didn't want the Payne's to leave, but they had to go home, so we said our goodbyes. :(

Each Christmas we take a ride in the back of Mr. Sutton's (our neighbor's) truck. We look at Christmas lights, sing carols, and last night we ate cookies too--yum! We love this tradition, so if last night you heard some carolers, and one really really really loud one (named Kayden)--it was us. :) When we arrived home, Santa had come through for us and delivered our presents earlier!!!

The kids were very surprised. :)

The three kiddoes had a great time unwrapping gifts brought to them by Santa!! :) Kayden was very, very excited about every present!!

SOOOOOOOO----now begins our visits to family & friends who don't live near. :) We are LOVING the holiday season!!!! so, if we don't head your way, know that we wish we could & we want to wish everyone a very, very Bright & Merry Christmas!!!!!!