For New Years Eve my cousins Ryan and Jamie throw a big family party!  

Since I had a newborn last year we missed it. :(  

This year we were happy to be back!  Her theme was Italian.  There was a variety of yummy pizza, salads, pastas and breads!  Somehow I neglected to take pictures of all the amazing food.  

 I got to help at the chocolate fountain bar.  What a yummy assignment!

There were a lot of fun activities and games throughout the night.  Ping Pong, Air Hockey, Wii Bowling tournament, a fun group game we all got to play together that I don't know the name of, and the best of all, DOOR PRIZES!!!  

I was over near the chocolate fountain setting things up when my name was first to be drawn.  After I jumped up and down screaming, I ran over to the big basket of wrapped prizes and panicked.  Oh which to choose?  And as they counted down to one I dug around in the basket and found this at the bottom of the basket.....

The grand prize!  A gift card to Buckle!  YAY! YAY! YAY!  I'm so giddy!  I can't wait to spend it!  I can't wait to spend it all on ME!!!  Thank you a million times Jamie!!!!

Me and my cousins Becky and Allison with our babies.

MaryJane, Oakley, and Kate.

Did I mention we all bring our kids?  I made sure to nap them.  We all napped from 3-5 that evening.  It is so fun to bring in the new year with them!  Here is Sadie going down the slide in their fun toy room.  

A little air hockey.

Cole the policeman.

Kevin and MaryJane.

Thanks again to Ryan and Jamie for another fun New Year party!

Hope you all had a Happy New Year too!  

Since our families have grown we have had a hard time getting together with our cousins for Christmas.  This year we had an after Christmas party at Brent and Stacey's beautiful home!

It was fun catching up!  And especially nice not to all smell like campfire! 

Usually the only time we see each other is at Fish Lake in the summers.

Most of the gang minus a few adults and grand kids.

Almost all the little ones!

Thanks Brent and Stacey for letting us unite at your home!  A tradition I must vote for!

The day after Christmas Grandpa the Elf, Nana and Aunt Jill came up to 

take the kids sledding on the street!

It was a little cold so Kevin broke out his burglar mask to get warm.

I love the big trees on my street!  Every season they look beautiful!

Headed down the street to invite a few friends.

Peter, Johnny, Cole and Jane

 

When I came inside from taking pictures, I was welcomed with Belle's beautiful singing!

But we were finally able to talk her into a sled ride with her friend Leah. 

My cute little niece Olivia loved the snow but didn't care much for riding in the sled. 

More cute photos of her here.  

Looks like Santa came!

Our stockings were hung on the entry table with care!

Cole loved his keyboard.  

I love this keyboard too!  I love the earphones!  And that little ipod that he can record his tunes on!  That thing raps, hip hops, reggae's,  jazz's, the works!  Many ways to be creative!  

I HIGHLY recommend this toy for any little music lover!

Santa finally brought him a trumpet!  Something he's asked for all year!

Sadie REALLY wanted "Baby real live go potty!"  And when she found it under the tree, she picked it up and said, "Hey! Santa forgot to wrap babyreallivegopotty!!!  Silly Santa!!"  

MaryJane loved the idea of the family computer!  She was ALL over that!  And her cute little barn Santa had left. 

We had such a nice relaxing day!  Our morning started around 9 (my kids like to sleep in).  We just played, had a yummy breakfast and played!  By the time I got around to looking at the clock, it was 2:30!  I couldn't believe it!  We had so much fun playing with the kids!  I was so happy we didn't have to rush off to any family parties until 5!   

What is this?  Oh lookie here...

The ONLY picture of me.  Mornin'! In all my glory!  Thanks a lot Kev.

We later went to Grandma Stormy's where we ate, danced, played and almost got snowed in!

The girls dancing.  Beth, Lucy and Sadie.

Daddy thought he'd jump in and work his magic!

Aside from the little fever bug Cole and Sadie got over Christmas it was still a fun and special Christmas to remember! 

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

We went to Grandpa and Nana's for Christmas Eve and had a nice yummy Christmas dinner.

Olivia and MaryJane bonded while playing the piano.

Aunt Jill arrived straight from the airport just in time for the festivities to begin!

Starting with...

Decorating sugar cookies for Santa and the Train cookies for the Polar Express Night Nana and Grandpa had planned.  Nana had sent out invitations and the kids were so excited!

Nana and Grandpa gave the kids matching snowman jammies!

Which they all put on instantly!

The kids tickets got punched and were all loaded on the train while Nana read the Polar Express story.  And Grandpa surprised us all as Santa with bells and presents. (wakie talkies)

MaryJane didn't know what to think of that silly grandpa.  

He always dressing up!

Aunt Jill once again spoiled the kids with her gifts.  Kate and Sadie got matching outfits!

And we made it home just in time to put out our decorated cookies for Santa.   

Cole and Sadie wanted to make cookies to take to their friends for Christmas.  I saw these cookies at a holiday party in my mom's ward and just thought they were so cute!  Obviously too late to make these this year.  But hey, there's always next year!

What you'll need:

Nutter Butter Cookies

White Almond Bark

Wilton Red Candy Melt Chips

Coconut

Marshmallows

Mini Chocolate Chips

Red Hots

Just take a Nutter Butter cookie and dip half way into melted white almond bark.

Sprinkle with coconut and let dry.  

Then dip other end in almond bark just a quarter of the way and let dry.

What's Christmas without seeing the lights at Temple Square?  We all bundled up and hopped on the train to downtown.

We haven't made it there for the past couple of years and I'm so happy that we made it happen this year. 

I like to take some pictures of the kids in their Church clothes. 

Not going so well.

At least these two know what to do for the camera.

Sadie was on her way to take a nap and decided to put the whole Nativity set down for a nap too.  Using their cloaks as their blankets.  ;)

We later went to a holiday party while Mike, Chantel and Lance were in town.

Sadie, Lucy, Jaida, Beth

Cole and Scotty