New York New Year's Eve

Every year we celebrate New York New Year's Eve with our friends.  This year we decided to make and order in some Chinese food to make things easier for the Moms and food prep.

 Chloe and her bestie Devonney with their new dolls from Christmas.

 These six goofballs were creating scary movies on their Kindles.  Too funny!  Don't come crying to me if you can't sleep at night.

Watching the ball drop! Countdown 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 Happy New Year!!

Me and my sweetheart.  Love this guy!

Our good friends Adam and Katrina Bingham.  Thank you for the fun New Year's Eve!

Christmas Break

Christmas Break is awesome!  The perfect time to relax with the family and play with new toys and games. 

 We took the kids to see Big Hero 6.

 Jacob built a new Lego creation.

I usually take the opportunity to catch up on grading papers while the kids play video games with their Dad. 

I baked some goodies using my new bread maker. 

We visited the library.

Daddy playing Chloe's new game Frozen Trouble.

Love the memories made and relaxing fun of Christmas break!

Currently

Just a little of what I am doing right now...

Merry Christmas

I think I am just as excited as the kids on Christmas morning. I love seeing their excitement and joy as they receive and open their gifts. Santa brought the kids some good stuff this year... 

Chloe: An American Girl doll

Trevor: 2 Halo Megablock sets

Jacob:  Nerf Sledgefire gun

Family:  Disney Infinity 2.0 and a keyboard

Daddy bought the family an Xbox One. 

 It never ceases to amaze me how messy things can get in a matter of minutes.

Santa left two Lego mini-figure packs for Trevor in his stocking.  They turned out to be two girls.  He was a good sport about it, especially when he found out one of them was the God of War.  He later checked a book out from the county library about Athena the Goddess of War. 

The rest of Christmas day is spent playing with toys and relaxing.  Mommy played with all of her Christmas gifts in the kitchen:  I got a new hand mixer and bowl set, bread maker, and a Le Creuset pot. FYI: update your Amazon wish list in November, makes it easy for the husband. 

We end the day with a yummy traditional ham dinner.  I am usually done cooking by this point so I make lots of food so we can have leftovers for a couple of days. 

 These three are all happy and snug in Chloe's room after a long day of family time.  I love that they love each other!

Christmas Eve Traditions

Being home on Christmas Eve is the best!  I love spending time with my family and following our traditions.  For Christmas Eve dinner I always make Chicken Parmesan, it was especially good this year with homemade french bread--yummy.

 It is always a winner with the kids--I mean who doesn't love noodles and sauce!

 After dinner we get ready for Santa.  The kids decorate cookies and make reindeer food. We usually eat a few cookies too for dessert!

 Santa's plate of cookies are ready.

Chloe adding the secret food for the reindeer.  Glitter helps them fly didn't you know?

 We keep our reindeer food pretty simple some oats, and seeds.

Chloe writing Santa's reindeer names on her baggie.

 Trevor hoping to feed Rudolph.

 Jacob is always so excited to receive his Christmas Eve PJs.

 After baths and jammies we usually read the Christmas story and head out to feed the reindeer. Santa embodies the Spirit of Christmas in our house.  We talk about St. Nicholas and what he represents this time of year.  Ultimately, our kids realize that it is the birth of our Savior that is the ultimate gift of Christmas.  He is the reason for spreading Christmas cheer.

My favorite pictures are the ones of the children sleeping on Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Sunday

It was a Christmas miracle that Jacob was willing to wear his suit.  Chloe picked her dress this year.  She was super excited to wear it.  The boys had matching ties.  I love Christmas Sunday!

Later in the evening, we went to our Live Nativity that our Stake sponsors for the community. It was beautiful to see the children interact with Mary and Joseph. It was a great end to a fabulous weekend spent with family and friends.  

A Frozen Birthday

Two weeks ago Chloe and I began planning her 5th birthday party.  She wanted a Frozen theme--no surprises there.  Thank goodness Pinterest made it very easy!

Melted Snowman (water bottles) for drinks.

Sven's Antlers (pretzels) and Olaf's Noses (carrot) with ranch dip

Kristoff's Ice Blocks (blue jello)

Tossed Salad Dip (spinach dip)

The main courses were Elsa's Snow Capped Mashers (mashed potatoes), Stone Trolls (swedish meatballs), and We Finish Each Other's Sandwiches (hot ham and cheese rolls).  Chloe was so excited about the food and helped shop for it.  We made sure it was kid and adult friendly.  The party was overall very easy and fun. 

Happy 5th Birthday to our Little Princess!!

Her birthday banner is still needing her 4 and 5--it is on my to do list for Winter Break!

It was a fun day spent with family and friends.  Happy Birthday Chloe girl!