December Palooza!

Yes, December Palooza, not just Christmas. I've got pictures from the entire month of December to show you...so get comfortable.

First up, we had my Grandma Huber's birthday party! 75 years of being her spunky and lovely self, and we had candles to prove it!

My grandma is seriously the sweetest person on the face of the planet. Not only that, but she has sass, and is dang hilarious, and is basically my idol.

And have you met my grandpa (and grandma for that matter)? If not, meet Lee & True Huber, the two most amazing people ever. If you do know them, and were ever in their Stake, there is a good chance that my grandpa still calls you on your birthday. And perhaps my grandma is on the other phone, so they can sing to you together. It will make you smile and tear up every time. How lucky am I to know and be related to them? Very VERY lucky.

And while we're on the subject of families, let's talk about my Jones side. I have the most amazing and hilarious cousins on the planet. And this year we had our Third Annual Cousin Christmas Party. White elephants are always involved and always awesome, and this year was no different. As Kirk picked up this present, he started to shake it, and Sara nervously said, "Um, don't shake it." Good call. She also told us that she paid extra for the ugliest fish with the bulgiest eyes.

I think my favorite part about all of these pictures is the amount of people laughing while gifts are being opened. It was pretty much the best party ever.

That's a can of tuna. Have you seen a larger one in your life? The best part was that Emily had to sneak that out of the pantry so that Reid wouldn't see and get mad.

And of course I love that everyone is old enough to be included, and has humor that is definitely appreciated.

And every time I see my darling cousin Julia...

or adorable Jenny...

I think to myself, Is that what I should have looked like in high school?

Jenny and Julia, will you shop with me and dress and style me once I get out of school? I want to look just like you two.

Then, Christmas Eve we had our Second Annual bowling Extravaganza, which was awesome, per usual.

The little kids got in on it too, and you would not believe how long it took for this ball to get to the pins...if it got there at all. There was more than one occasion where the ball would stop mid-lane, and we would have to try and knock it to the back with another one.

Kevin told me that I looked like Mr. Ramos, from Mesa High when I bowl. Aka, I have no upper arm strength.This resulted in less smashed fingers than you would think...

And Brynn's job was to be cute...

Later that night we headed to hang with Philip's family, and watch the Nativity as it was performed by our nieces and nephews. Honestly, this is the best Nativity production that you will ever see. It is directed by Nancie, and there are musical numbers and kids know their parts and it is so lovely every year.

Grant and Jennifer singing their duet, and Sam being a perfect Baby Jesus.

Philip's dad always reads the story out of the Bible, and since he and Janet are on a mission, they recorded him reading the story...which made all of us a little emotional.

Kate, the angel, and Jolie and Griffin, shepherds, singing another song.

Enter the wisemen, Jocelyn, Aniston, and Janet...

And all of the kids singing the closing song, being accompanied by Michelle in the background. Seriously, it is amazing every year.

We also got to meet our nephew, Ben, and me and Philip tried our hand at parenthood. These baby boys are beyond cute, but nope, we're still not ready. CHRISTMAS GIFT!!!

As a long standing Huber tradition, we yell CHRISTMAS GIFT! as soon as we see another member of the family for the first time on Christmas. And you'd think that it gets old (and Philip thinks that it already has) but it is seriously a game every year, and we hide and come in back doors and stuff so that we can yell it faster and louder and therefore "get" everyone. It is awesome.

Anyways, yay for presents!

Philip didn't really ask for anything, despite me asking him repeatedly for a list, so it was kind of a simple and boring year.

I did, however, get the most lovely coat that I'm IN LOVE with...

And of course Philip was excited for the video game that he knew he was getting...

Oh, and I got legs. Two of them. And heels.

Merry Christmas Philissa!

We went to Philip's sister, Michelle's house where she fed us and we saw all of the toys and fun that her girls got. And Adam looked like such a little pimp in his old man pajamas. It was about the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Jolie was super excited about her baby doll that "swims like a real baby" according to the box. What? What real baby do you that know swims? She was excited nonetheless, and when she saw it swim in the sink for the first time, yelled, "Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!" Then over to my parent's again, where we gave Melvin & Elise a giant dart board. They were excited. Did you know they are huge fans of playing darts? Alright, that's all a giant lie, but they liked their non-dart board present.

Cute wrapping paper huh? I will be sad when I run out of that.

Get it? His name is Melvin too! I was really pleased with myself when I came up with the clever idea like back in August.

And a wreath hanger for my mom since she has a seasonal wreath on her door all year long.

Philip being pleased with himself for making me whine, and me probably saying something bratty like, "Give it! It's mine!"

New music for Philip, he was super excited, and has taken his selection of new music very seriously.

Remember how my parents are awesome gift-givers? This year was no different...

Kev & Nicole not knowing quite what their present from us is, but they like the looks of Mickey and Minnie on a gift card...

And these are their, "Seriously, a Disneyland giftcard?" faces.

I love giving presents that are totally not expected...and this year for the first time like, ever, I had brilliant ideas.

My mom made plates for Sara and Jason's boys...and they are crazy cute.

Reading the gift certificate that my parents printed out for us...

...and then getting emotional (imagine that) at the thoughtfulness of it. They are getting the fatty scratch on the bumper of our Civic fixed. I'm seriously estatic.

The Nielson girls opened a tetherball, and were led to the backyard where a tetherball pole was waiting for them. Jealous? What kids get a tetherball pole of their own?

And Alyson looking perfect, because she showers and gets ready on Christmas...

Basically Christmas was amazing.

As it always is.

And one more, just because we're darling...

Happy January, though I'm like a week late. And here's to 2009!