Happy New Year 2010!

We did it again. We all managed to stay up until midnight to bring in the new year. Thankfully, we were prepared with board games, snacks, movies, and Band Hero. (thank you Lauri and Kinley) Watching our kids play Band Hero reminds of one of my favorite movies, School of Rock. Can't you just picture them in funky school uniforms? I think we managed to have the loudest bringing in of the new year this year. Every single person had a horn and wouldn't stop blowing them. Ouch!

We couldn't just keep it to ourselves. We had to annoy the neighbors as well. Brayden was the leader of the pack.

Getting a good picture was nearly impossible, so I had to pose them all at once. It was a fun night!

We pray for a happy and healthy 2010 for all.

Our Anniversary Picture--20 Years!!!!

Christmas Eve

know this is backwards, I did Christmas day first. Anyway, we did things a little bit different this year. We decided not to do the big dinner, just something simple and easy, and not to act out the nativity. If you read my blog from last Christmas Eve it was slightly wild. So, we planned to go Christmas caroling instead. It was pouring down rain, but we did it anyway with umbrellas and wet feet. Before leaving we sang a few songs with Mom playing the piano and Dad leading the music.

We had a bit of reluctance about doing something different. And guess who was the most bothered by it? The teenagers! Spencer and Gabrielle like the traditions. I did not realize how important they were to them. They ended up liking the changes just fine, but we will probably go back to the usual next year. We shall see!

Christmas Day

Eliza and Christiana surprised us all with homemade gifts. They are so special. I especially like this heart from Eliza. She made it at school. Christiana made oatmeal raisin cookies for her dad, a mug filled with hot chocolate mix for Spencer, a velvet picture for Eliza, and a necklace for me and Gabrielle. Thanks Aunt Lindsay for the darling sweater for Christiana and jacket for Eliza. They loved them so much, they had to wear them on Christmas day. We were about to head out "over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!"

We got spoiled with aeble skivers again! Wendi and Colin gobble them up!

Blaze, Uncle Rick, baby Chloe, Grandpa and Spencer. It's good to get together.

Leah and Christiana

We also opened gifts from Grandma and Grandpa.

Eliza helps Grandma in the kitchen.

I have never cooked a big meal on Christmas day, but between Randy and I, we pulled it off. We had a traditional turkey dinner with Randy's parents. It was delicious!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

I should have posted earlier, but it is Randy and I's anniversary today. Guess how many years??? 20!!! Can you believe it? Wow, we are getting old. My dear friend from church and happens to live down the street brought us a heart shaped cake tonight. I would take a picture, but I already ate a piece. It is so good. Chocolate cake with brown sugar frosting! Yummy! I will post our yearly anniversary picture of us tomorrow. We are celebrating then. We always take a picture of ourselves. We actually have the kids do it now, but before the kids came along, we would just hold out the camera and try to get a decent shot. Here's one just for fun, not the official anniversary picture. :)

More Christmas Cheer

Celebrating the season at my brother and sister in laws house. Isn't it beautiful?




More singing......

and more singing.......

The youth dance, Christmas Ball

Christmas Sunday

Santa's helplers

and more helpers....

Did you know that you can go to Life Chiropractic College and see these cute Christmas vignettes, roast marshmallows, pet little farm animals, ride ponies, and ride a train, after driving through and seeing all the amazing lights?

The elves taking care of the reindeer.

Christmas lights at Life College

The real holiday coming soon. I just love all the festivities that come before.

Christmas Cheer

Here are many of the wonderful examples of what has been bringing me Christmas cheer this year! Anna and Christiana at their Christmas Chorus Concert. The ward "breakfast for dinner" with Santa

Randy and the family's sacrament meeting and able skivers at Mom's

Eliza's school party that Gabi just happened to show up to because she was out early with finals

Christiana's school party

Our Relief Society Christmas party that my family sang at

All these great ladies that helped plan and prepare for the special night

And all these great ladies that came to enjoy

Merry Christmas!