Ringing in the New Year

What better way to ring in the New Year than playing some games with family?

Oh, my family. Telestrations tells a lot about personalities and talents.

I didn't make it all the way until 12am this year, but there was some Just Dance, some apple cider toasts going on, and a great duet "The Start of Something New". Love these guys!

Hannah over the Holidays (and maybe a little of the rest of us, too)

Hannah did the hairdo that her dad requested. 

We had a super fun evening with Rex and Delsi in town. "Super fun" and "Rex and Delsi" usually go in the same sentence, I think. I'm glad that they make time to see us when they are in the area.

All ready for some Heads Up

Hannah, Callie, and Lisa did some shopping at a local upscale thrift store. Hannah was really happy to score this blouse. It is definitely her "party" shirt.

 

This holiday would not be complete without a puzzle. The boys worked pretty hard and did a lot of sorting and piecing, but the 3-D puzzle of Minas Tirith that I found at DI was quite a challenge and needed some serious help. Jacob was pretty fed up one afternoon - and I discovered that he was reading the wrong set of directions (the fun of buying second hand).  After I got all the parts laid out, Callie and Jacob pieced it together. This is just one section.

Because

Because there is no better place to hang out than the library

Because I love seeing these six people all together again

Because we have the cutest friends who carol to us every year and we love it (only one family pictured here - two do it annually and it brings such a smile to our hearts every time)!

Because this is our last preschool Christmas program ever

And because we have the best neighbors

Because my husband has a wicked cool job and they get to do awesome service projects

Because snuggles are so rare these days

Because scenes like these just melt my heart

Because my husband wanted to help me as the choir director to see who sings in the men's section (and because I was lucky enough to have this calling and want to remember it)

Christmas Day

Waiting on Christmas morning for the go-ahead to peek in stockings.





Since we had church at 11 and we like to open gifts one at a time, we decided to let the kids see what Santa brought, and then they really wanted to give their gifts to each other.

A new term was coined:  Bermaid (Big Bird + Mermaid). Looks like she has a drinking problem, too.



Drew is a blur on his new penny board.







This little boy had the best day of his LIFE.

A train set AND his own personal tent?!?



Poor Jacob.  His gift fell out of Santa's sleigh, and he had to wait a few days until Amazon could bring him a replacement quadcopter (reading his note from Santa). He was a good sport.



Another blur with her new shopping cart - the better to tote puppies around.



Hannah must have been camera shy - she got her own "baby seal".

More Christmas fun:

The perfect picture of the Savior for Callie's room



Awesome puppy slippers from Jacob.

 

Lisa in elf jammies, ears, and elf gift box, too?!?








In case you weren't sure if Camden liked puppies or not...

 

These two. So cute. 





 We told Jacob that he could buy Callie's old ipod classic from her.  He bargained on the price, and for a kiss she gave him a $20 discount.

 

 And he got a kiss back. Here he is with his funny new game.

 

After opening lots (but not all) of the presents, we took a break to have breakfast and get ready for church.  These photos warm my heart!!

 

Merry Christmas!!