Let's Party!

The kids did a little shopping with Grandma and got all the supplies for a New Year's Eve Party.

Too bad none of them could actually make it to the New Year.

Resting day

After two long days of traveling, the kids needed to have a little down time.  Why not take a swim in the 82 degree pool (air temp 42)?  Way to cold for this mama, but they spent most of the day in the pool!  Except for James.  He learned how to play Alhambra and just fell in love with that game.  That is all he wanted to do for 5 days!

 

 Skylar, as always, taking care of her siblings!

 The view from the pool.

 Brennen is more of a hot tub man!

 "I be on the swim team!"  And away she went!

A day trip to the Grand Canyon

We decided to spend the last few days of Christmas break at Marilyn and Jim's Arizona home,  I checked on-line for the weather and packed our bags.  Unfortunately, I checked the weather in the wrong city.  I packed for high 60's/low 70's.  Well, more like low 40s--we were all a little cold!  Good thing we could wash our one pair of jeans everyday!  On our first day, we headed up to the Grand Canyon because that was the only day that it was not going to snow up there.

 Kellen just can't handle bright light and he could not open his eyes for any picture.  I did get him to at least look up with his eyes closed for one shot.

 Stunning view!  It was well worth the trip-the kids were facinated.

 Skylar very intently listening to the lecture on how the Grand Canyon was formed.

 Brennen loved looking in the binoculars!

 Charlotta also listening to the lecture!  (Not sure she got the same out of it that Skylar did!)

 Spotted a reindeer on our way back to the car.

A great day!

A fun filled present opening day!

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!  FINALLY!

 One family photo before we tear into the stockings and presents!

 

James was very into his lottery tickets this year!

 

Matt, Jackie and Katie on Christmas morning! Much calmer on that side of the room...

  

Grandma and Grandpa!

 Me and my little honey!

 Charlotta was so happy with her new sleeping bag!

 Mr. calm and collected, just waiting patiently for his turn.

 Not so calm and collected impatiently waiting her turn!

 Enjoying the chaos!

 One of these days he'll learn how to smile for the camera!

 Very excited about her new baby.

 Good thing Charlotta has so many helpers....

 

No matter, I will just play with my baby while they put it all together for me!

 

 On the way home to Christmas #2, we have to stop by to say hi to Oma and give her her gifts!

 Charlotta is reunited with her love, Byron!  She just fell in love with Byron.

 Mormor dressed to the nines for Christmas!

 James does a little dance for his new pile of presents!

 Charlotta enjoying the good life in her new chair with peanut butter cups.

 Skylar in her new clothes for round two.  Very excited for more presents.  This girl just loves presents!

 New Rollerblades!!!!!

 The Christmas hit--Stompeze!  Thank you my cousins from Sweden!!

 Mormor got all of the kids matching outfits and I did manage to get a pretty good group photo!

 Merry Christmas to everyone and thank you all for the gifts!!!!!!!!

I will post all of the pictures on the shutterfly page if you would like to see more.

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and Santa has made his first delivery!  Every kid is required to wear Christams PJ's so that Santa can find who to deliver the presents to.  I can't believe it is finally here!

 Jackie is pretty excited with her PJ's!

 

 At first Jackie did not want to get in the group photos...

 But Skylar can be very convincing!  (Not sure why James is doing gang symbols?)

A Christmas Pinata

Ok, it's not tradition, but the kids thought it was AWESOME!  Ross and Gen are up for Christmas and Gen's mother sent a holiday pinata for the kids.  They have to leave tomorrow to spend Christmas with Gen's family,  so we had a little mini Christmas while they were still here.  First order of business, the pinata.  All lined up according to age (you see Charlotta behind the snowman?  Well, she is only two weeks younger than Jackie next to her, but I think Jackie has a good six inches on her)!

 Charlotta gets the first whack (tap).  Then Jackie did not want to have a go.

 Brennen's up and takes off the snowman's head!

 

 Huh, what happened?

 But we still have to break open the body to get the candy!

 James takes care of it no problem.

 Mad dash for the candy.

 James making sure that Jackie gets some (you see she is not used to all of the choas and madness, so she tends to run away from them when it gets to be a bit much--I don't blame her, I want to do that too sometimes!).

 Enjoying the goodies!

Thanks a lot to Gen's mom!  The kids really enjoyed the pinata!