New Do's for the New Year...

The kids really needed haircuts so Brooke let us sneak them in during Steve's hair appointment on Thursday. I think they turned out so cute! I took the picture above after we got home but I didn't have my camera during their haircuts so these were taken with my phone (and aren't the best quality)...

Maddy's hair had gotten so long and nappy (when it wasn't styled), so we decided to go super short...

Avery's hair was getting pretty long but is thin and stringy so we decided on a cute A-line...

Thanks Brooke, I love how they turned out-you always do such a great job!

Thursday 12/30/10

Family Christmas Party 2010...

On Christmas day my family always gets together for Christmas dinner and a party. I look forward to it every year! We have lots of yummy food, a cousin gift exchange for the kids, "White Elephant" gift exchange for the adults and of course the company is always the best! This year Jamie hosted and we all had a great time! Stacy got a new camera for Christmas and had lots of fun playing with it and got lots of great shots...

My niece Carlee was able to come out from Texas and spend Christmas here... it was a great surprise!

Got to love "Princess Zach (my sister Jamie's brother-in-law!)" He's a favorite with the kids... he was even spotted wearing Avery's yellow hair flower for quite a while.

Steve always seems to sneak a nap in...

Jace was totally smitten by Claire's new dollhouse.

Shalane

Stacy & Justin

Way to finish it off girl!

My niece Claire is such a Diva (with a capitol D) and sweet moments like these don't happen very often... love this adorable picture of her!

Lost in thought somewhere I guess... check out the new ring Steve made for me!

Lola

Papa

Time for the good stuff (gift exchange)...

My jaw dropped when my Dad showed me this doll furniture he had made for Avery (I was so surprised and excited!) We had these exact same ones growing up (just a different colored finish.) I love them and especially love that my Dad made them. It made me all nostalgic... thanks Dad for all the hard work and many many hours you spent making these to perfection like you always do! Someday Avery will appreciate them as much as I do!

My parents had us pick out Maddy's gift from them... more "Ben 10" figures of course! Later on Maddy said "Mom, Nana and Papa must know I really love Ben 10!" They sure do! To know Maddy is to know he loves "Ben 10!"

My parents also gave the kids these Nativity stockings to color.

Pink glittery sunglasses and a princess book for Avery from her cousin Jace.

More "Ben 10" figures for Maddy from his cousin Dallin.

I think I can speak for everyone (the adults at least) when I say that the "White Elephant" gift exchange is always the highlight of the party...

No Dad, that's not the kind of thong you wear on your foot... the "love package," complete with thong, edible lotions and potions, treats and "coupon book" was stole a few times before finding a permanent home with Ben & Jamie.

"Love Package" and cash... these two hit the jack pot!

I picked Shalane's gift which was a beautiful shawl and box of mint chocolates. Thanks Shalane, I love it! Steve got "Phase 10" and "Rummikub." Both of which we already have (Steve actually got "Phase 10" in his stocking) so you may see them again next year... haha!

Shawn was the recipient of Steve's "gift," and it was hilarious! I haven't laughed that hard for a long long time! Pure awesomeness! We may just have to rename the gift exchange "Red Elephant!" To be nice Steve threw in a bag of truffles :)

GOOD GOOD TIMES!!!

Can't wait until next year...

Thanks Jamie for being our wonderful host!

Thanks for all the gifts everyone!

Thanks Stacy for all the great pictures!

Mom and Jen (and family) we sure missed you and hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Saturday 12/25/10

Christmas

Christmas Morning 2010...

We had a great Christmas this year! Maddy was up with an upset stomach for a few hours during the night so we were all a bit tired but other then that it was great. After finally getting back to sleep after Maddy was feeling better we all got up around 8AM. The kids were so excited to see that Santa had came...

I have a confession to make... this is the first year we've done stockings (just out of pure laziness.) I thought we might get away with not doing them again this year until about a week before Christmas. Maddy was so excited and told me that if you hang stockings in your house Santa would put candy in them. I asked him who told him that and he said his friend's Ari & Ava had stockings in their house and they told him. He told me he also saw it on "Max & Ruby." He was so excited and in awe that I just had to buy stockings after that. So we all hung stockings and found lots of fun stuff in them Christmas morning...

Steve's and mine had some fun things in them while the kids had more traditional things like Lifesaver books, chocolate Santa's, big candy canes filled with Hershey kisses, socks, toothpaste, etc. It was lots of fun, we will have to make sure we hang them again next year :)

Avery's favorite gift was a "Christmas baby." She has been asking for one for months now so of course she was thrilled...

Maddy's favorite gift was "Ben 10 Deluxe Terraspin." He has other "Terraspin's" but this one actually spins. He saw it in the store last week and had a complete meltdown when I wouldn't buy it for him. He was so excited that Santa brought it and hasn't stopped playing with it yet. He also really wanted "Kevin's Action Cruiser" from "Ben 10" but Santa waited too long and was unable to bring one. It was sold out everywhere He checked and He wasn't willing to pay almost $150 on Amazon for a car that normally costs $30. Santa felt bad and left some money with us so we could buy him one when they are back in stock. Luckily Maddy was perfectly fine with this arrangement.

Avery also got a "Belle" doll, games, movie, puzzles, pink sheets for her bed and a gift card.

Maddy also got the "Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber," more "Ben 10" figures, Lego "Ben 10 Swampfire, games, movie and a gift card.

Steve (with the help of some friends) spent hours (I guess it's quite the process) making us "His & Her" white ceramic rings. They turned out so so nice and I just love mine! Thanks babe-you are so thoughtful and have great taste! I also got some earrings and Steve got a few other small gifts. We decided to keep it simple this year because we want to get a bunch of canvas gallery wraps/enlargements done of our family pictures.

After the kids were done opening presents downstairs we decided to check the tree downstairs...

... doll furniture for Avery.

... a bike for Maddy.

Later during the day Maddy said, "Mom, I didn't even tell Santa I wanted a bike... the elves must have told Him!"

... lots of "Cafe Paesan" gift certificates for me :)

Here is a short video of the kids seeing their furniture and bike downstairs (sorry it's sideways, I can't figure out how to flip it-so annoying!) ...

After we finished opening presents we made blueberry waffles and eggs (over-easy.) Then we hung out and relaxed (well Steve went out and washed and cleaned both vehicles, which is his way of relaxing) and then we headed to my sister Jamie's for my families Christmas party.

Saturday 12/25/10

Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

when all through the house...

(for a brief moment) Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

But soon there came a knock at the door...

Which was followed by Alien Dart Wars...

Then the opening of gifts covered with frogs, flowers, frill and rockets...

The children were bathed and dressed for the night all cuddly and cute...

They all nestled up together on the couch, and even "The Grinch" failed at stealing their special night...

For they had just read and already knew about the true meaning of Christmas...

The children were full of excitement as they tracked Santa's location and flight progress here.

They ensured our house wouldn't be missed by spreading "Magic Reindeer Dust" out in the yard...

The children knew Santa would be tired, hungry and thirsty after his long journey, so they made sure to leave him a special treat before climbing into bed...

Then as the children drifted off to sleep, quietly Santa found His way...

He must've been feeling extra jolly as he made his way downstairs before He exclaimed...

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Friday 12/24/10