New Years Eve

 We didn't do anything too exciting for New Years Eve--its not my favorite holiday.  But the kids had a good time playing with their cousins--we had an early "midnight" and they danced, got fancy crowns and party blowers from Auntie Beth, and drank some Martinelli's to celebrate.  John and I breathed a huge sigh of relief that 2012 is OVER.

 

Sledding

Our California cousins were very excited to get a good snow while they were visiting Utah.  We all had a good time hitting the small hill for some sledding.  Actually, Lucy was scared for the first half and Isaac only liked it a couple times down the hill and then he was done and busied himself by throwing snowballs at Grandpa Bob.  The second time we went sledding Isaac had a great time and Lucy got cold pretty fast.  I told my brother and sister in-law a couple times that we kind of have a family of chickens.  Not the bravest genes.  But at least at some point they enjoyed sledding and didn't fear it.  All my kids enjoyed snow ball fighting Uncle Stu.   

 

Lucy in her matching outfit from her birthday.

Lucy's Birthday!

 Lucy has the unfortunate birthday two days after Christmas but we still manage to have a good time.  She got to go to boondocks with her cousins and watch Tangled and have a fun family party.

 Lucy with her cousins at Boondocks 

  Lucy with her birthday dinner (mac and cheese, pigs in a blanket, brussel sprouts)

  Way too many birthday presents for the birthday girl.

Lucy with her special birthday cupcake from Nana.

Yes, she's still wearing her birthday crown from school a week ago. 

Christmas

We told the kids they had to stay in their beds until 7.  They did pretty well waiting until then.  Then as much as we tried to have slow and controlled opening of presents--it still ended in a bit of chaos.  Good chaos.  

 

Isaac had to sit on the couch and stay there because he was worried about Harris getting his stash of gifts.  He even carried a bag around after that trying to keep his toys safe.  The girls were ecstatic about their American girl dolls--Santa was pretty generous.  In the afternoon most of the adults went and saw Les Miserables with my family.  It was awesome--John was sweet to stay and watch all the kids.  The movie was a good distraction from missing my mom on Christmas--plus she loved the music and so many of the songs seem somehow applicable to my life.  After the movie we had my family over for a big amazing dinner.  It's always fun to have Kathleen and Beth around to cook--it means lots of delicious food.

Christmas Eve Highlights

 Christmas book reading

 

 A scene from our nativity (it may be time to invest in some real costumes)

 The angel Drew with fairy wings proclaiming

 Cousins in Christmas jammies

 

 The fam in jammies (we stopped getting John Christmas jammies because he mostly wears basketball shorts to bed--those don't come in Christmas patterns. :))

 Santa did his magic.  I especially love the long row of stockings! 

The Lights!

 We also got to have John's brother Stu and his family come for Christmas.  Good thing we finished our basement right before they all came!  So, of course, we had to go see the lights for a fun activity.  It wasn't too cold and we had a good time walking off our big Sunday dinner.  My kids were SO excited to have their cousins around--they played and played.

 

 

Sugar Cookies with Nana

We got to have Nana and Grandpa Bob come for Christmas--that means we got to do a lot of Christmas cooking and baking during the holidays.  Sugar cookies were one of the first tasks at hand.  Lucy wore her birthday crown from school for half of the holidays.  Isaac really got into frosting the cookies with Nana.  And Esther made some beautiful festive cookie creations all by herself.  I was pretty good at taking pictures and eating their decorations.  :)

Isaac worries

Over the holidays we stopped at my dad's to pick something up one day.  We came out to get in the car and remembered I needed to run back in to grab something else.  I left Lucy and Isaac in the driveway.  When I came back out after a few minutes Isaac said to me exasperatedly, "Where were you????  I was WORRIED about you!!! (except he said wowweed)"  I just thought it was so cute that my 3 year-old was anxious for me--usually its the other way around!

Gingerbread Houses

 We did gingerbread houses with our friends--we all had kits so there was no baking and making frosting required.  It was pretty nice, I won't lie.  I think we will stick to kits...  The kids loved it, and the momma's loved it.  Isaac squeezed as many candies as possible onto the little train he made--and I think he ate one for every one he stuck on.  Good times.

 

Esther's First Piano Recital

Esther had her first piano recital--she did great despite being VERY nervous.  I have been proud of how hard she's worked and how fast she is learning to play.  She played Deck the Halls.