New Years Eve

For news years, we spent it at Scott and Jenny's with both our families, Jenni & Brickley and the Moody's.

We ordered outback takeout for the adults and pizza for the kiddos. We played games all night. I put together bags with crafts and activities for the kids that they got to open each hour. 

The last bag had hats, poppers and silly string. 

2013 was a great year filled with many ups and down and we can't wait to see what 2014 brings us! 

First Time Skiing

Dad took the girls to ski for the first time. He had never been either so they all took lessons the first couple hours then spent the day on the slopes. They had the best time!

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas morning Dad had the flu but we all still had a great time opening presents. Kade got a huge crafting kit and tons of Angry birds and legos. Bailey & Kylie got a Monster High doll & Frozen Barbies. Jaxon got a Mickey Mouse clubhouse and playdough.

Christmas Eve

In the morning we went and saw Santa.

We had an early Christmas Eve dinner. We did an Olive Garden copycat meal. It was fun. That night, Paul's colleagues put together a service opportunity for their families on Christmas Eve. We went to a shelter and gave out presents to children. It was a great opportunity. Afterwards we came home, made cookies and opened our gifts. First they opened their new jammies.

Then their sibling gifts. Bailey and Jaxon exchanged and Kade and Kylie exchanged gifts. 

Then, they put out the milk and cookies for Santa and headed to bed. 

Merry Christmas

Our Christmas Cards

Choir Performance

This year kade really wanted to be in their school choir. It meets before school so I told him the only way it would work is if he could convince his sisters to be in choir too. He was successful and they have been going to practice every week and in the last few weeks twice a week. Because their big performance was at 9am and neither mom or dad could get out of work, the three of them did a private show for us the night before.

We're very proud of their hard work and dedication. 

Band and Orchestra Christmas Performance

This year Kylie has decided to play the flute. She is even playing the flute I did when I was her age. She is playing in her school band. 

Bailey wanted to try something different and chose to play the violin in the orchestra. 

They had a little trouble getting teachers so weren't able to have a full performance but had a mini one at the same time. I was running between them both but luckily got to see a little bit of each. They've been working so hard and it was great to see how good they are doing. 

I'm so proud of them both! 

Heros

While Christmas shopping we found this little fun sign. Kade didn't realize he was a "girl" superhero.

School assembly

Every year the high school choir (the one I teach at) comes and performs an assembly for the kids. Kade was chosen to come up and help. The girl next to him was a former student of mine and asked kade if he was my son. He told me after school "Mom it freaked me out. How did she know you were my mom?" Lol. Then I showed him this picture his teacher texted me and he now thinks I have spies at school. Haha.

Snow Fun

The only time we love snow is in December. There's something special about snow at Christmas time. This was our first real snow the kids played in. They had he best time!

Decorating for Christmas

Every year decorating for christmas is a big deal in our house. The kids ask over and over when we can decorate the trees.  We play Christmas music and they love getting the boxes out and putting up all the fun decorations. This year we went very simple. We hired a company to put up our Christmas lights outside a few weeks ago (its ridiculously dangerous to do them ourselves and completely worth every penny).

We spent Friday morning while Paul went into work putting up the small decorations, then put up/decorated the main tree Saturday night.