Ekins Express

Holidays 2010

For Christmas this year, we had the special privilege of being at my parent's with four of my six siblings and their families. Mom (Grandma Joyce) always does such a great job of decorating the home and reminding me of the sweet memories this time of year.

Abby and Rett had fun playing with their cousins and all of Grandma's toys downstairs. Even though we had a full house, Grandma and Grandpa were great to give each child lots of attention. Thank you for the wonderful time together Everyone! We look forward to seeing you all this summer.


When Tom was a baby, Mom made these stockings. Obviously it was before I was born (notice mine is an angel? I certainly was not that the first few years of my life. Not that I am now either. :)).


This is Abby's renditon of what hangs on the fireplace mantle. She didn't even attempt to draw the angel after I told her it was mine. Ha!


This tree had all the ornaments I grew up with and helped place each year with my siblings. The tree upstairs was super fancy - and very attractive... especially to little Rett. He loved pulling those shiny ornaments off! Sorry Mom. Did you find all the pieces? ;)

Abby spent countless time with these cuties: McKay and Ruby, Adelyn and Elsie Bear

Grandpa Doug and the family's newest little one (at that point): Jack Ryan Williams. Michele had her baby boy December 31st.

Camille's beautiful salad Christmas Eve... mmm!

The Williams' family, minus baby Jack

Santa Clause came for a visit!

Abby was so thrilled to sit on his lap...

but oh Rett sure was not!

Cousin Cohen (just six days older) didn't have a single problem at all!

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

Rett would still not get near Santa, even for one last photo!

Camille and Holland's dog, Georgie

The traditional reenactment of The Manger Scene:

Shepherd Abby

Angel Adelyn and Shepherds Elsie and Abby

Wisemen Matt and Rett

Shepherd Hattie with baby Jesus (brother Jack)

The girls all ready for bed. Can you tell Elsie is excited for Santa to come?!

Rita and me... with our mouths full!

The wonderful hosts!

These girls thought it was so fun to sit at their very own little table.

Grandpa got the kids started on a very big puzzle! He thought they should be done with it, but the kids said, "No Grandpa! Lets finish it!" So he stuck with them and what do you know?...

Yep, they finished it.

Rita was great to play with Abby... thanks Rita!

And these two couldn't get enough of each other! Except for when Rett insisted on playing with the vacuum every time he laid eyes on the thing and Mom couldn't deal with another little Andrea! Thanks for "giving him what he wants." It doesn't take too much to make the kid happy.

Abby's gifts from Santa. Other than "doll stuff" she asked for Doritos, Sprite, a candy cane, lip gloss, and Fruit Loops.

Rett's toys from Santa

Mom and Dad's stocking stuffers

Christmas morning!

Just as we woke her up (yes we had to wake her up!)

And this guy had no clue what was going on!

He was more interested in Sister's doll stuff than his loud musical instruments.

We all went upstairs to get Grandma and Grandpa.

Gathering all the presents before opening!

Ashley and Adam got everyone these fun bouncy balloons and the kids loved them! Thanks you guys.

FIVE sets of princess shoes! It was cute to see Abby and her cousins tip-toeing around in these all week.

I got Rett his own set of cookwear since he's always playing with mine!

One of my favorite gifts... Matt made me a pair of armwarmers for when I run in the cold. He took tube socks, cut the ends off and even fray checked them! I have the best husband... ever.

Heather with baby Jack

Children's gift to Mom and Dad: a boating tube

Jen's gift to Mom and Dad

Taken from Mom's blog: This sign was one of the biggest surprises and hits of the day--Green Canyon Hot Springs, a popular swimming area in Southeastern Idaho, used to be called "Pincock Warm Springs." Doug's grandmother was a Pincock, so this was family. After the Teton Dam Flood in 1976 and Doug was cleaning things up in front of his Rexburg business, he surprisingly found this sign and gave it to his Aunt Ned who loved antiques as much as Doug. Well, Ned passed away and then her husband just recently, so Doug's sister, Leslee, surprised Doug with this sign for Christmas (she asked Trudy, their daughter, for the sign back for Doug).

After Christmas and before Heather headed back for home, she decided to pick up some of her old toys at my dad's warehouse. She discovered there had been a leak in the roof just above our family's memorabilia. So Ashley and I went back the next day to clean things up. All the Cabbage Patch Kids (in their original boxes) were soaked. Determined to still get something out of them, Mom threw the boxes away and washed the dolls. When she opened the washer, she came to me just laughing and said I've got to see this:

And then when she went to dry them she came to me again laughing to show me this:

All those years in storage, they were good for something!

Heather's b-day is two days after Christmas so we always have memories of having one big family party together. It's hard to believe my youngest sis is 26 with two kids! Happy B-day Heather. It was fun to go out the morning of your big day with you and Ashley for some yummy breakfast and a memorable drive around the Bountiful Temple. Sure love ya!

This was so sweet - Hattie giving Abby a kiss goodbye just before they left for Idaho.

Ashley and I got together one day with lifelong friends Elise (Lou) and Sigrid. After lunch we met back at Lou's mom's house with all of our kids only to find out we were about to get snowed in!

These two don't get to see snow very much.

Ash, Lou, Sig, Ang... going on almost 20 years!

The night before the kids and I headed south, we went ice skating with Garner's and Rita.

Rita with Abby and Hillary with Adelyn

This was Abby's third time ice skating in 2010 and she keeps getting better every time.

Little Buddies

For New Year's, we drove to Hinckley to meet back up with Dad and some of his family (Natalie and Valarie and their families). We had fun talking, eating yummy food, playing Rook, and indoor soccer at the church. We got to spend the last day with just Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you for the fun weekend! I am bummed I didn't take a single picture!

We are blessed to both come from such great families and to be especially reminded of that this time of year. I am forever grateful for the birth of our Savior and the life He lived and gave to all. Happy New Year to All!