NEW New Years Traditions

On New Year's Eve, we usually have a countdown to "midnight" at about 9:00pm, drink Martinelli's and call it a night. But this year Grandma and Grandpa stepped it up a notch...

Festive Decorations and Party Hats!

A Pinata filled with candy!

Brad and I had to be at a dance/party for the youth at church, but the party kept going strong all night while we were gone! Grandma and Grandpa played games and worked on the puzzle all night and then brought out a big roll of large bubble wrap and let the kids jump on it at midnight to make a bunch of noise--the kids loved it!

The finished puzzle masterpiece--thanks to the determination of Natalie and Mom (and Lauren)!

Brad and I rang in the New Year at "Pump it Up" and then headed to a breakfast gathering after that. We were pretty tuckered out by the end of the night. I guess we figured out who the fuddy duddies in our family are. Hopefully G&G can come back for a repeat of the fun next year!

Christmas Catch-up

Christmas morning did not disappoint...

Andrew could not be held back, but Caleb and Lauren were kind enough
to pause for a traditional waiting-in-the-hallway picture!

Santa must have paid close attention to the letters he received, because everyone was thrilled with what he brought...

Andrew got a t-ball stand and a football, soccer ball, and basketball and lots of Toy Story stuff!

Lauren got an American Girl doll and a horse and a Webkins puppy!

Caleb got a chess set, a watch, and Lego Batman and Lego Star Wars Wii games!

We had a relaxing morning, opening the "three kings" gifts we gave them and playing with our new stuff. We ate Swedish Pancakes and candy from our stockings for breakfast. Then we anxiously awaited the arrival of our best Christmas gift...

Grandma and Grandpa!

We greeted them with bells on (literally--we tried to make a big scene with all the kids and their bells) at the airport. They thought only Brad was coming to get them, but we brought the "welcome wagon!" They brought the fun and the party didn't stop the whole time they were here. We saw lots of movies, played lots of Wii (Sports Resort was a favorite!), and made lots of memories. The kids basked in the G&G quality time and we just loved having them here.

Christmas Eve Memories

Yummy Ham and Potatoes Dinner--
fun to share the cooking with Natalie, especially since she made all the hard stuff!

A wonderful Nativity play presented by the six cousins...

Cast:
Caleb: director, Joseph, also provided piano accompaniment for "We Three Kings"

Lauren: a very serious and loving Mary

Whitney: a beautiful angel

Cole: a wise man and/or shepherd

Annie: a sheep

Andrew: one of the stable animals? (in a lion costume)
Extras: Brad and Tyler stepped in to play the wise men
and performed an improptu march to "We Three Kings"

After saying good-bye to our cousins, we had a mini-FHE, where we shared testimonies of Jesus and shared our gifts to Jesus for the next year. Each year this becomes more meaningful as the kids understand a bit more, and want to give a special gift of themselves.

Another one of my favorite traditions has become opening the gifts from the kids on Christmas Eve. They were able to buy (and wrap) their gifts at the Holiday Boutique provided by the school. Each year it is a treat to see how they spend their own money without any help or guidance, and how they get SO excited for everyone to open their presents. Memorable moments:

• As Brad started opening his gift from Caleb (who was about to come out of his skin with excitement), Caleb announced (several times), "Well, it's official!" until Brad pulled out a "World's Greatest Dad" trophee/pen holder. Caleb was absolutely beaming.



• Lauren gave Caleb a sign for his room that says, "#1 Brother". Caleb gave her a little bear with a heart that says, "#1 Sister". Lauren told me that whenever she looks at the bear it makes her feel so happy.
• In the middle of the kids' gift exchanging (while we were not looking), Andrew grabbed a present from under the tree and opened it! Luckily, it was one of HIS presents that he was supposed to open the next day. It was a box of little Toy Story books. He immediately sat down to read each one, and could not be dragged away from them for the rest of the night. He wasn't interested in reindeer food, cookies for Santa, or almost anything else. He just wanted to sit and read his books.

Other fun moments:

Christmas Jammies! They sure saw this one coming this year! It's a tradition carried on from my childhood, and now the kids make sure I don't forget the new jammies to open on Christmas Eve.
Preparing for Santa...making reindeer food, putting it out for the reindeer, reading books found under pillows, thinking they heard bells and hearing the kids shout, "Good Night Mom! Good Night Dad!" They were very excited to go to bed!