Snow Time

The last few years when Troy has come to town for Christmas we have gone to Dell Osso Farms in Lathrop to go tubing. We all had a great time together. Thomas and Noelle really enjoyed the extra one on one time they got to spend with Troy and Julie.  I hope these are the times they will remember when they are my age. I have such fond memories of my cousins and all the fun things we did together. I hope it’s the same for them.

Snow Tubing VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

After the tubing the kids went over and threw some snowballs. It was all fun and games until someone took one in the face….




Fun was had by everyone… Can’t wait until next year.

Trampoline time

Back in October Kelly and I took the kids to Idaho to visit Christina and her family. The kids really enjoyed the visit especially the trampoline. Kelly had wanted to get the kids a trampoline for a long time but hadn’t been able to convince Dave until a couple of weeks ago. So, the kids big special Christmas gift this year was a trampoline.
Uncle Troy just happened to be here for a visit so he, Dave, Kelly and Grandpa put it together on Thursday. It was quite a project.

It took a little longer than they expected but I think they enjoyed the time and the laughs. Between all the kids I think they asked at least 50 times how much longer it was going to take.
Then once it was done… Uncle Troy tried it out.

They finished just in time because we had 35 minutes to get 4 kids and 5 adults ready to go sledding/tubing.  Friday morning we took all six kids to get their pictures taken and to lunch. When we got home Thomas, Noelle and Tyler spent almost 3 hours on the trampoline. I have no idea how they had that kind of energy but they did. Uncle Troy spent some time on it also…..

Christmas Day

There’s not much to say other than we had a great day.

The kids got up early so they had to wait about 30 minutes before all the adults were ready for them to start opening their gifts. While they waited Kelly made snowmen out of donuts for a quick pre breakfast snack.

 

As you can see they were a hit with Hope.

I just loved this picture of Karly.

 

Hope made her way into a box and decided that would be more fun than playing with the toys she got.

 

I had a special delivery on my car which turned out to be a huge tent. I can’t wait to go camping this summer. It’s going to be fantastic. 

After putting up the tent. Karly decided to bring her microphone in and have a concert. I have a video that I may add later, blogger is having issues and wont upload it now.

 

After our concert by Karly, everyone went upstairs to relax. It was nice. We had about a three hour nap/rest time in the middle of the day.

Kelly and I then got started on a quick dinner since she and Dave had to leave for work. We made enchilada's, rice, salad and cider. FABULOUS!! 

 

Once again our mischievous, Hope , found her way to onto the table.

 

It was a fabulous, relaxing day spent with family. What more could you ask for. I’m so so grateful for the Holiday season and all it stands for. I’m grateful to be able to spend the holidays with the kids and helping to form memories that will last a lifetime.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the one holiday out of the year that I host at my house. I get a little stressed out because my house is so tiny but it always turns out just fine. This year Mom made a pork roast, I made “crack potatoes”, and Kelly made a corn casserole and fruit salad. For dessert I made my first completely from scratch chocolate satin pie and reindeer cakes for the kids.

 

 

After dinner we opened our gifts from the names that we pulled from a hat.

Noelle had me and I had her….

Thomas had Hope

Dave had Thomas

Karly had Kelly

Hope had Karly

and Kelly had Dave

While we were cleaning up the kitchen someone left the refrigerator open and Hope found her way into it and got her hands into my pie. She was very proud of herself!

 

The reindeer cakes were a huge hit with the kids.

The kids were dressed in what Pop liked to call their Little House on the Prairie Christmas pajamas. I thought they were awfully cute.

After dessert we hurried and cleaned up the house, packed up the car and headed back to Kelly’s so the kids put cookies and milk out for Santa.