HaPpY nEW yEaR!

I’m gonna say that New Year’s Eve is one of mine and Dave’s least favorite holidays. We always have BIG expectations, and yet, it’s usually not very exciting. This year we did our best to combat the boredom! We made reservations for Carrabba’s (the day after Christmas)…so, if nothing else, we would eat good food that night. And we did. AND we were glad we had reservations because that place was nuts!

Afterwards, we stopped by Alisha’s Cupcakes and had everyone pick out their own delicious treat! Once home, we ate our cupcakes, set off fireworks, and put on some glowsticks and party gear.

And to top the evening off, we played our new Disney Headbanz game (compliments of our Willie friends). I don’t think it’s important to mention who won the game (or even who LOST THE GAME;), but I’ll go ahead and say it anyway…ahem, I was the winner. I may not be a Monopoly Genius, Mr. Blackhurst, but I certainly know my Disney.

Happy New Year!

Snow day

The kids asked if we could play in the snow. I obliged.

THEN they asked to build a snowman. And I obliged.

And then they asked if we could go sledding. And I obliged.

AND THEN…I pulled them on the sled all the way there and all the way back to our house (and up and down the hill during sledding too).

Yep, I’m a good sport. And they are pretty darn fun too!

Christmas!

Christmas morning was wonderful…partly because our children slept in till 9:30 or 10, which they never do. Sure it was a little hard to wait for them, but at least everyone was refreshed and happy!

Finally awake and ready to open!

Cole giving Sissy a love after opening the gift she bought for him with her very own money. It was the gift he “always wanted”

This year’s highlight gift was the two-seater Power Wheels Racer. Cole stopped in his tracks when he saw it! Of course, Cole has no concept of steering so Sissy kind of has to take charge;)

Best pic of the morning:

And later, after all the gifts were opened and played with, we found this sign hanging in the pantry, written by Big Sister:

Translation: The true meaning of Christmas is love.

Indeed, Miss Kate, indeed.

Christmas Parties

Christmas parties came. Both sets of grandparents went nuts and spoiled our children rotten. And the kids loved it.

Cole enjoyed chasing around with the boy cousins in his new super hero cape and mask, while Sissy blissfully tip-toed around in her “Frozen” dress (truth be told it is actually a Glinda dress from Oz the Great and Powerful, but why should it matter?)

 

Both parties held a talent show. My parents’ show was kind of impromptu so both kids sang together. Here’s a delicious sampling of the two kids singing:

Talent Show

At Dave’s parents’ show, Dave and I actually prepared a talent this year: A Magic Show. We had the “The Final Countdown” music all queued up and building excitement. It was going to be monumental. Then came the acts. Dave’s magic tree act went as planned. Mine? The floating ketchup bottle? Not so much. Totally worked at home, but for some reason wouldn’t work on stage. Boo! E for Effort, I suppose.

 

The kids did marvelously, however. Sissy sang “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” and Coley sang “The Chipmunk Christmas” all by his lonesome.
 

One last visit from Santa…

 

 

***

OH, and while we're talking Christmas parties, I should probably mention Dave's work party. It was at the Lion House. Okay food and atmosphere, but they were stingy with the rolls! Seriously. 

 

There are always many prizes to be won. I almost didn't win anything that night, but then..."The winner of our very last prize tonight goes to ASHLEY BLACKHURST!" The grand prize. Nice!

 

Sold it for $350, which made for an even better Christmas!

SLC Thanksgiving Weekend Sleepover

The kids get pics with Santa every year. And every year, Cole hates it. Still, we need the pic! We frame each picture and display the entire collection each Christmas season. It’s fun to see how the kids grow each year.

Coley was prepared this year! Sure, he’s cried all the other years with Santa. BUT NOT THIS YEAR. “I’m going to be nice to Santa,” Cole informed us. And you know what? He was. You could tell this boy was nervous, but he kept a stiff upper lip and he DID IT!

Santa may or may not look like he’s a pervert kissing our son. But he was, in fact, just whispering to Cole. Sweet nothings? Maybe. But whispering, nonetheless;)

So this all went down the day after Thanksgiving. And so did our 2nd annual SLC Thanksgiving Sleepover with Dave’s family. We stayed at the Marriott City Center this time. We’ve stayed there a couple of other times and it’s nice, but I don’t love their pool. Note to self.

After unloading, we all boarded up on TRAX and hit City Creek. Because we were such a large group (Us, Dave’s parents, Steve & Becky’s fam, Brian & Andra’s fam, Annette & Curtis’ fam, CJ & Cassie’s fam, The Beck fam) we figured dinner together was an impossibility. Hence, we divided up at the eatery there. Ughh…so crowded. We all had to table stalk to find a table for each of our families. I like eating out A LOT so this really rained on my parade.

After dinner, who did we see…but the Santa in a Lantern and his darling, Mrs. Claus!! The line was short so why not? Well, for one…Cole had already been nice to Santa once and this visit was not part of his plan. OH, well! Cole did pretty good, though. No lap sitting this time, but he was still cordial with the Man in Red.

Next, we oohed and awed at the Macy’s windows and saw the obligatory, beautiful lights at Temple Square…

Swimming and Starbucks came later. And a random Santa and elves sighting came later too. Luckily, Cole did not actually see this Santa.

The next morning, half of us ate at the Grand America breakfast buffet. We love doing this and find ourselves eating there at least a few times a year. This was the first time ever, however, that Santa paid us a visit DURING our breakfast. Cole was nearly gonna lose it this time! As we got him up out of his chair, the eyes welled up a bit, and that lower lip started quivering. Alas, he did fine! Let’s face it, though, 4 Santa’s in less than 24 hours is kind of a lot on a little person!

Cole’s distrusting eyes here CRACK ME UP!

We did the Christmas window scavenger hunt through the hotel, and then hit up the zoo afterwards. What a party!

Thanks & Giving

It was perfect weather on Thanksgiving; WARM...just the way I like it! I wanted to get a head start on burning the many calories I would consume that day so I got Sissy on board for a "jog." If you know my Kate, you'll also know that exercise is not really her thing. I thought if she "scooted" along we could all keep a fairly good pace. Hmm...it was a good thought. There was lots of walking...slow, so very slow, walking.

 

But it was time well spent with the two of us, reminding me of how thankful I am for her. And I was proud of her efforts too. It was almost 2 miles after all!

AS FOR THE FEAST...it was Sherrie's year to host Thanksgiving. Dave and I like to take the place settings upon ourselves...you know, cause we're super helpful like that;) We've done it now the past couple years. It beats dish duty...not that any of us ever do dishes besides my mom. Sad face.

This year Dave found the idea and supplies, and then I made them. Team work! They were pretty simple and fast to make, which is very much my style.

 

 

The fam preparing to eat! (photo courtesy of Kelly, btw)

And the white elephant gift exchange: best part of the day for sure! My 6-year-old niece, Bree, was the first to open her gift. She was misinformed that it would be a Lego Friends kit. Oh, how sorely misguided she was! A portable sewing machine. The look on her face was priceless (and oh, so very sad). Good thing Grandpa Lyle traded her gifts.

Dave scored the Incredible Cheese Machine from circa 1912. It was the most coveted of all white elephant gifts, for sure! It was old and rusted and, likely, fatal if used. We all had a good "belly laugh" over it. The best was when Lyle inspected the antique carefully and then replied, "I don't know what you're complaining about, Dave. It's all here."

This was the first white elephant gift exchange in which no one was really stealing the gifts. All gifts were pure junk and it was just better to push your luck and open a new gift than to steal!

Later that night, we got to see my Aunt Kari and her kids who live in Idaho, and whom I rarely see. We had some good laughs with them.

Last, to top off the evening, we saw Frozen with Grandma & Grandpa and Uncle Mike. A cute little show that made for a great day in all!

Kid Ornaments 2013!

As per tradition, we buy the kids one ornament each Christmas that represents them for that year.

Cole, this has been the year of cars for you! We have adored your obsession with Lightning McQueen (and all cars in general). You can never get enough Light 2 tweens, and sacrament meeting has been a cinch to get through (so long as we remember to pack the cars).

And, Kate, this was the year you put singing classes to the test and did a beautiful job at it too! This was no surprise to us. You have always loved putting on “talent shows”, singing songs, watching musicals, and performing for others!

So let’s unveil this year’s ornaments….

The Lightning McQueen ornament for brother. And the (pink) microphone for Sister! I think your ornaments suit you perfectly;)