Welcome to America, Dan! Let's Party!!

I had always planned on having a big party the day of Dan's Oath Ceremony.  However, since we had like 12 hours notice, we had to party another day!  Really it was just a good excuse to get my family together for a dinner.

We moved the "big kids" into the TV room. 

More of the "big kids" table. 

This was the "cool kids" table.  Nana and I were lucky enough to sit at this table with most of the kids.  

Carson is awesome so he got his own spot...all to himself!  He kept giving me the eye like "keep your distance or else".  

Nana taking photos! 

Gaby watching Nana taking photos! 

Silly Sophia off doing her own thing, as usual! 

Uncle Vinnie.  We were sad that Heather, Gage, and Taylor weren't able to come. 

So, there was too much fun going on at the "big kid" table.  We got out the cards Dan used to review for his civics test to see how well we would all do.   

This party also gave me a great excuse to buy a cake from Costco!  I was so happy when I saw they had an American flag cake.   

Guys having a serious conversation about something!  After cake, some of us just chatted and some continued on having fun with trivia by playing Trivial Pursuit!  It was such a fun night and I am thankful we had an excuse to get together and eat yummy food!

Anne's 7th Birthday!

My mom always made our birthdays a big deal so I try to do the same for my kids.  This is what Anne came downstairs to on her birthday.  She opened her presents (shoes, Big Hero 6 movie) the night before so Daddy could be with us.  She needed the movie for her party and Dan had to work. 

Good morning Birthday Princess! 

We had pink waffles and pink milk for breakfast!  I love that my little hockey player is still a girly girl too! 

Talking to Daddy on the phone while eating breakfast before school.  I also took cupcakes in to her class at the end of the day to celebrate as well! 

Later in the evening we had a PARTY!  Pizza and a movie!  It was so much fun!  I'm glad Anne has such great friends! 

All the kids showing me how they can blow up their Capri Sun pouches.   

Sophie ready for the movie to start!!! 

Concessions for the movie...popcorn, Swedish Fish, licorice, and M&M's.  

Gaby loving her pizza! 

The boys! 

Birthday Girl!!! 

The rest of the girls...all enjoying watching Big Hero 6! 

Cupcakes! 

I sent the cupcakes home with the kids since I knew we wouldn't have time to eat them during the party! 

Anne and Daddy went to a hockey game as well!  Party day for this happy 7 year old!  Before she left, we sang to her and let her blow out her candle! 

I just love this girl!  I am so thankful every day that we were blessed to have kids and that we have some pretty great ones!  Happy birthday little princess!!!

Dan's Citizenship Oath Ceremony

After only a few short months, Dan received his letter to go and take the oath to become a US Citizen!  We received a letter in the mail on Thursday but Dan wouldn't let me open it until he got home.  He didn't have time to open it until about 10pm that night.  He was shocked when he read that it was the next day, February 27th, at 9:00 am that he was to be there!  What if I hadn't gotten the mail that day?  I'm still so thankful that it worked out for us to all be there!  I just wish we could have had some time to invite some people to come along with us.

They named off each country that those taking the oath were from.  Dan was the only one from Canada.  With just the small group there, they represented 13 different countries.  It was such a great experience to be a part of! 

Taking the oath! 

It's done!  I love Anne's face in the back ground! 

Daddy with his 2 girls that have their certificates for Canadian citizenship.  Now that this process is over, we can apply for Gaby's Canadian citizenship certificate!  

An All American Family!  We kept Anne out of school in the morning to go with us.  It was such an important day for our family.  I'm glad the process went by quickly.  No more green card!!!  Now to get him registered to vote and get a US passport!

Sledding

With all of the fantastic snow, we didn't want to let it go to waste.  So all of us girls went out to the hill next to our house to go sledding.  Gaby wasn't super excited but she had some fun. 

Girls at the top ready to come down! 

Gaby just hanging out.  She liked it when I just pulled her around on flat ground. 

Sophia was afraid to go sledding since this is also the hill she went down and broke her arm.  However, after a few times going down with mom and then going down the "bunny hill" alone, she finally found her courage and LOVED it!  So proud of this little munchkin! 

Anne couldn't get enough of it...until it got cold.  When it was time to go in, I loaded all 3 girls on the sled and pulled them home...across the street.  Love our neighborhood!

Christmas Morning!

Christmas morning!  The girls were so excited!  They were also so excited they could get into their stockings before Daddy woke up! 

Gaby multitasking.  She would not put down her bottle for anything...until it was gone. 

Gaby opening her present from Santa with some help from big sister. 

Sophia so excited to receive the Doc Mobile she asked Santa for. 

Anne always showing off her missing teeth when she smiles!   

Anne super excited that she also received what she asked for...and then some.  She asked for only the King Triton and Ursula but got some others as well...since Santa is generous like that.  

The girls spent the day playing with their new toys and hanging out together.  It was a really nice day.

Christmas Eve

Dan had to work both Christmas Eve and Christmas day this year so we opted to celebrate a day later.  So, that meant that we celebrated Christmas Eve on the 25th.  In the end, it really didn't matter but what was most important was being all together as a family.  We decided to make our Christmas dinner extra special by using the nice china and getting out the nice table cloth and napkins.  The girls had never seen any of them before.   

I found a fun way to fold the napkins to look like Christmas trees.  The girls though everything was so fancy. 

Anne even helped to fold the napkins. 

Finally, the food is on the table and we are ready to eat! 

Our yummy dessert for after dinner...homemade molten hot lava cakes.   

Then we baked some cookies for Santa, poured him some milk, and left out some carrots for the reindeer. 

And it was time to say goodbye again to Snowflake for another year.  The girls sure do love her visiting.  Now, it is time for bed so Santa can get to work!