Nothing says "Happy New Year" like Dodgeball!

We were invited to a friendly dodgeball game in our old neighborhood.  It was a lot of fun, and a great way to kill a couple of those evening hours while waiting to go to a New Years party at the Campbells.  Happy New Year!!

Pickleball Battle

It was Al-Dave's last day in town, and we had an epic family pickleball tournament.  It was a beautiful day, and I think everyone had a blast learning the sport.  (on a side note, these are the courts that Rick was the engineer on...so they are sort of his baby, too)

Edward Paper Hands

Cru enjoyed his paper claws made by Tirsa after family dinner.

Christmas Card Door

We got a slow start on our door this year, but we ended up with a pretty good looking door...thanks to all of the good looking people we know.

Desert love

We went out to Warner Valley to spend some of the beautiful day in the desert sand.  I loved the snow and all, but it is nice to have our normal December weather back!

Hotdogs Roasting on an Open Fire

We went through two packages of hot dogs, but it was worth it.  The kids all had a great time roasting hot dogs and burning stuff.  We really need to get a barrier around the fire pit, though.  I was afraid the whole time that someone would run right into the fire.!

Christmas Morning

Ready, Set, Open!

Christmas Eve Nativity

It was another successful year of the nativity.  MaKaty and Madsen made adorable angels.  Adelaide was baby Jesus.  Christian was a donkey.  Seth, Soren and Cru were wise men.  And Hannah was "stage manager". 

Christmas Adam 2013

We had our Christmas Adam celebration at Chrissy's this year.  We played Christmas Bingo, had a dance party, and watched Christmas movies.  All four of our kids slept over this year...which is a first! 

Hannah had enough sugar

Clearly she does not need any more of that delicious Christmas jello Alison made.  She is already sugar drunk.  She put her leg right through the hole in the edge of the trampoline and tore her leg up.  No more sugar for you, Hannah!

Tuacahn

I'm not sure what Santa was saying to MaKaty...but I wish it had been "Please listen to your mommy and daddy when they ask you to stay right by them.  There are a lot of people here tonight, and you might get lost.  And if you get lost,  please just stop and wait.  Do NOT go out to the parking lot and wait by the car, because they won't assume that you are there and they will be going a little nuts looking for you, and they will be alerting all the employees to look for you, and your mommy will be sick to her stomach, and your daddy will have to be the calm one."  Yeah...I sure wish Santa had said that...

Book Club Beauties

We had our Book Club Christmas party today.  I love these women so much!  We had a wonderful night just laughing, eating yummy food, and just enjoying each other's company.  I really needed this night!

Winter Recital

Hannah did a great job at her winter recital.  Keep it up, Hannah!

Phase One

Phase One of Operation Chair Redo.  So far, so good!

Temple Lights

It has become our tradition to go see the lights at the temple.  We bring hot chocolate and donuts.  We walk through the visitor's center.  We listen to the message at the Nativity.  And we enjoy the lights.  It's one of our favorite things to do to get in the Christmas spirit!

All my favorites.

a. it was our 13th wedding anniversary b. we were at the Staheli Farms live nativity c. aren't they the cutest?

Sunday Dinner

Occasionally we have Sunday dinner at our house.  It is nice that we now have a place big enough that we can fit people here!

Buddy the Elf

He said, "Mom, there is only a little left in this one...and we have a new one that is full, so can I drink this one?"  I said yes and grabbed my camera.  Who knew that Buddy the Elf lived here?

"Gingerbread" houses

Otherwise known as sugar covered sugar houses, dripping in sugar.

Engrossed

I read all three of the books in the Divergent series in about 4 days.  It was fun to be totally engrossed in another world for a little while!

A Note for Mrs. Morris

Cru wanted to give Mrs. Morris (his preschool teacher) a picture he had drawn.  He addressed this envelope himself.  He just asked me the letters.  He is getting so much better at writing his letters!

This Year's Ornament

Our book for the year is "The Last Straw".  We made these little bundles of straw for our ornament this year.  Not too exciting, but they got the job done.

Snow Play

Enjoying it while they still can! 

Documented

I had to document this snow.  We may never see our street like this again!

Let it Snow

In all my life, I had never seen a snow storm like this one in St. George.  It just kept snowing.  All day long.  For 10 hours!  We got at least 6 inches!  We just don't know what to do with that much snow!

The "Before"

I bought this chair at DI.  I am going to refinish it and recover it for Hannah for Christmas.  At least, I hope I can.  I have never done either, and it could go badly.  Here's hoping!

Pack Meeting

Seth received a couple of belt loops at pack meeting tonight.  They awards were in the shape of a rocket.  Seth is pretending that the rocket is heading for his eye.

Once There Was A Snowman

We were surprised by a big snowstorm overnight.  (it is always a surprise, even if it is predicted)  Cru wanted only to make a snowman.  So we did.  It was not great snow for building, but we made it work.  His buddy even came over to see it.  I asked Cru to put his arm around the snowman, and this is what he did.  So cute!

All About the Tree

We attended the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and then came home and decorated our own little tree.  Always busy at Christmas-time!

Neighborhood "Giving Back" Party

Our neighborhood held a party instead of giving neighbor gifts for Christmas.  We had hot chocolate and brought treats to share.  You could choose to donate the money you would have spent on neighbor gifts to a local battered women's shelter.  Our little neighborhood raised over 500$ cash, plus donated a ton of items...and we avoided the super stressful task of assembling gifts for dozens of people.  WIN-WIN! 

Decorated

It was fun to decorate a new place this year.  I am REALLY wanting a new tree next year, but we will see...