New Years Eve

We had quit the fun night on New Year's. For years everyone has come to our house for fondue. However since we moved, we had to find a new home for our annual fondue party, and thanks to Aubree being so gracious, we were able to still hold this grand event. Gone are the days of telling the kids at 8PM that it is midnight. We also celebrated my Mom's birthday, hence the crown.

Not sure what Abby is up to, but it looks like trouble...

Elisa and James, hanging out.

Here James is talking up a storm, to who, we just don't know.

Here is the gift we gave my Mom. I love the saying so couldn't resist in the store.

Haley has the look of trouble, looks like she enjoyed dinner at least what didn't get on her shirt...

Grant's imitation of being a blower of the leafs. He also does a little eating of them also. I think this is why you have children, good old fashion entertainment.

A lovely close up of Aubree, our hostess for the evening.

Grandma blowing out the candles, how can she be 64, she doesn't look or act a day over 30!

The spread for deserts? Did we go overboard, no way!Everyone enjoying the deserts
Count chocula, enjoying her food.

We had a blast and did make it till the very end, past midnight! Tori started fighting it about 11, hence the flaying.

Christmas in the Rockies

We finally made it to Colorado to celebrate with the family. We were glad to get there after a hairy drive Sunday. It was a good thing we left at o dark early as it was a 10.5 hour drive!

Tonight we read a Christmas story with Grandma in charge...
Tori had to get a candy cane to talk about the Shepard's crook...

Then it was time for presents. This is what we got Josh this year...

and Elli was very excited about her Barbie Musketeers outfit!

Abby got a microphone, however it didn't work, so she ended up with cash, which she still is holding on to...

Tori was happy with her favorite thing in the word a puppy and a puppy book!

Grandma is still working on Tori's puppy quilt, maybe when we go back and visit it it will ready!

Abby's was ready, can you say girl in more ways than this, it is super cute!

Cassie was well taken care of there...

Of course no event is complete without a family picture!

The girls showing off their new outfits!

Abby chasing Haley, she is a fast one!

A not so happy Tori, I think I had just told her no...

Before the basement was destroyed, the girls loves Grandma's basement.

Abby doing her favorite of all things, playing a game.

It was a happy ending to a long awaited trip. We are looking forward to the next couple of days here.

The show by Ms. Abby

Abby has an amazing ability to get her sisters new toys and clothes and uses them for her own good. Tonight she talked Tori out of her new dancing shoes and did a little number for her audience (in the window).

Sorry for the shooting, I was trying out some different angles.

Christmas Morning...still at home

We had expected to be long gone to Colorado by now, but with the snow, we are still here...so Santa had to make a switch and come to Omaha instead. It worked out okay. For weeks we have asking the girls what they wanted. Tori was adamant on a stinky skunk (don't know why), and Abby a violin, which she has been waiting since last years guitar. Christmas morning came fast, and both girls we excited to see what Santa brought them.

Tori opening her new hockey sweater!

Perhaps too much sugar for this one?

Even Cassie seemed happy with her new bone!

Hopefully the snow and wind will let up so we can head home soon.

All the rest...

We got our first snow fall this weekend, it was a nice reminder of our Colorado home and girls and dog couldn't wait to get out there to play. So being the good wife, I told them that Dad couldn't wait to get out there with them, so off they all went to play. That lasted for about 30 minutes, then back in and off with the snow gear!

That night Chris and I went out for a date night, and came home to a very upset babysitter, and 2 very naughty children. We were not happy to say the least! Both girls got a stern talking too and sent to their rooms, crying none the less. About an hour later we went to check on them and found them together, comforting each other. Part of me was upset because they were supposed to be in their own beds, but the other part of me thought it was very cute that they went to find each other. Times like these I really miss Lisa, she had these kids down to a science and they never had her this upset!

Sunday came and after church Abby had a soda and candy bar, why, not sure, but the picture was too cute to pass up.

Tori one of the only times she has worn her dress, here sister keeps talking her out of it. She is also holding the doll Grandma and Grandpa got her for her birthday.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we headed to Colorado for time with the family. We decided to make it a t2 day trip by stopping half way at a hotel for the night. Problem number one, the children were wound up, so of course they would start calling the front desk, oops, unplug the phone!
Tori painted today in preschool and her hands turned pink. According to her teachers, she kept asking for more pink paint until her paper was dripping with it. You can't tell here, but her hands are a bright pink color!

The next day when we got to Grandma's and Grandpa's, I put Tori down at night and this is how I found her a couple of hours later. For the record, the following night I stayed with her and put her in the top and she fell on me, doesn't look to comfortable to me...

The girls love the trampoline, I had to clear it the day we got there so that the girls could jump, by the next morning it was dry so out they went. Tori had a nice case of static from her time, to cute to not grab a picture!

Tori was more than happy to go out and play by herself. It looked cold to me, but she was very happy, I miss how quickly the snow melts now!

Tori has always had a special love for James, and since he was born wants to hold him. He is big enough now, that he isn't as interested in that now. He did give her a couple of minutes before he wanted off.

Abby managed to injure herself while she was playing, not uncommon, but this will be fun to show her one day, all the large amounts of injuries she had as a child!

Two very tired kids at the end of the day, cute James and Haley!

...and two tired adults, just goes to show you are never too old for a nap (right Ryan and Theresa)...

Here is Aunt Vivian, my Grandpa's sister, she is a regular when we get together and love see her. Abby calls her Great Grandma sometimes.

The next day I talked Mom and Theresa into going out for black Friday shopping. we had a lot of fun, or least Mom and I did. At 5:30 when we were standing in line, Theresa said to me, I thought this would have been more fun, I don't think I want to do this again.

We did find some good deals, but no real deal busters. I think it is the joy of getting up and shopping at 4AM that I enjoy, yes I know that is sick, however it is true. When we got back Mom and I went to the Spa and she did a makeup application and I got to have a pedicure, oh how I miss those in the winter!

By the end of the day, we all hung out and enjoyed a nice restful night.

The next day we went to Elisa's and Jeff's and the girls played and played for hours. I caught some video of James taking a ride, he seemed to enjoy it a lot!

2 peas in a pod

These two have been best buddies since day one at daycare! Tori and Marley have fun together every day and tonight we had the "family feast" where all the kids, teachers, and parents and siblings could come for a dinner at the center. Next month they are going to new rooms, so they won't be together everyday, but hopefully they can still see each other some, and of course we will have to have play dates!