New Years 2012/2013

I've always partied on New Years Eve.  When I was younger, I would even invite my friends over to my parents house to play games, do puzzles, watch movies, eat good food, etc... while waiting for the stoke of Midnight.  And then, once the clock stuck twelve, we would run out onto the front porch with our whistles, horns, pots and pans, or whatever else we could find, and make as much noise as we could.  Shouting Happy New Year to anyone who could hear us!  

Well, times have changed, just a bit.  Ruby obviously retired way before midnight, but Bree and Elle now think it's way fun, that they actually get to stay up so super late!  And they are old enough, that they pretty much make it to midnight now.  

We try to make it fun for the girls.  We got out our shuffle board game, and some other games, and had some quality time with our little family.  

And we ate as much junk food as humanly possible for one night!

And when the ball dropped in Times Square in New York, we watched it on TV and then even had some poppers on hand to celebrate the occasion!  And then, it was off to bed :)  ha..ha..  

Just a few fun pics....

Here are just a few pictures I took that I thought were kind of cool.

I LOVE those holiday lights :)

Christmas 2012

The decorations are up :)

The girls made Ginger Bread Houses!  

We went to see lights several times.  At Thanksgiving Point, in Layton, in Ogden, at the SLC Temple.  

I love the lights!!  

I took this picture of the Temple on our way to the Motab Christmas Concert.  The Concert was amazing as usual, and the lights were just as beautiful :)

We met our cousins in Ogden, at the Ogden Village Lights.  This is one of my favorite traditions.  And afterward, we go to my mom's for dinner and hot chocolate.  

Waiting to see Santa!

Santa just loved Ruby!  He thought she was something else.  And I totally agree :)

My girls, and Santa :)

The cousins and Santa!  Santa was a good sport :)

Grandma Bump Bumps house!  Uncle Mark goes all out when it comes to Christmas Lights!

My girls in front of our Tree.  This picture turned out cuter than I ever could have imagined when I took it.  These three little gems are my life!  Ruby's first Christmas :)

Looks like Santa came :)  He doesn't disappoint! 

Elle's 5th Birthday

As you can see, I'm still getting caught up!  But, it won't take long.  

Last year, on December 1st, on Elle's Birthday, the day we planned her party, we had a huge Wind Storm.  It was monumental.  I'm not sure we'd ever had winds that strong before.  There were countless Tree's down, fences, roof damage, etc..etc.. all over the Wasatch Front.  Needless to say, we had planned to have Elle's party at Chuck E Cheese.  She had been counting on it, but power was out all over too.  And the power was out at Chuck E Cheese.  Luckily, even though we had a few fallen Tree's, and a fence down, we still had power at our house.  Good thing too, because my parents, and two siblings didn't have any power either.  So my entire family was amazing and came to our house and we partied here, at home.  

Well, Elle hadn't forgotten about that Chuck E Cheese party, she was supposed to have.  She remembered every day for a whole year.  A year to a 5 year old, must be a really LONG time!  So, after waiting an entire year, we made it happen.  That amazing Chuck E Cheese birthday party, and oh, it did not disappoint!  It was amazing.  I mean, if I were a kid, I would have thought so.  They gave Elle the STAR treatment!  

The kids ate Pizza, played games, danced with Chuck E Cheese, had cake, ran around like crazy, etc..etc..  There was fun for all.  I was very impressed, and would recommend having your party at Chuck E Cheese to all of my friends.  And Elle still to this day, says, "Mom, that was the BEST Chuck E Cheese Birthday EVER!"  She was very impressed herself :)

Playing Games

 Her Cake!  Oh so good.  Yay for Costco :)

Some of her sweet guests.  Don't know why the nephews aren't in this picture?  They must be off playing!  

Everyone singing and clapping, with Chuck E Cheese.  The entertainment was great!

My little Star!  Oh how I love this little girl! 

Dancing with Chuck E Cheese in the flesh :)  ha..ha.. 

And I have to mention, that Elle actually wouldn't even get near him.  She was totally afraid of the real thing.  So funny :)

My mom and Elle

Oh, this was a fantastic part of the night!  Elle was supposed to go into this room, where the tickets blow around, and she tries to catch some.  But she didn't want to, so her sister Bree went in for her.  There was one big ticket worth 5000 tickets.  And at the very last second, right before the air turned off, Bree reaches out without even knowing it, and catches the amazing 5000 ticket!  It was hilarious!  Bree was in shock,  and everyone cheered!!  One of the things that made our night :)

Ryden and Ruby :)  

What an amazing night!