New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve we went to Jason's cousins house to celebrate. Using mostly pinterest, I put together games and activities to do and put them in balloons to pop at specific times. 

We started off eating snacks and drinking Italian sodas. 

For our first activity we made party hats using tinsel, ribbon and paper cups. (Laneah and Tessa)

Our next activity was to make sparkle marshmallows. We put the marshmallows on sticks, dipped them in water, blotted them with a paper towel and then rolled them in sprinkles. I was busy helping the kids and so Jason was taking the pictures. I would have gotten a close up of the marshmallows, they looked really cool. (Cooper)

Logan complete with blue sprinkles. 

Next up was taking silly pictures with props. 

The girls favorite craft was making fun glittery glasses. You are supposed to pop the lenses out, but Laneah, who has to be defiant in everything, insisted on keeping them in and covered them in glitter. 

Another balloon said to have milk and cookies. I saw these plastic champagne glasses and the kids thought they were so fancy drinking from them. 

Brooklyn still does not like loud noises and would cover her ears every time the other kids popped a balloon. The other activities included a dance party and games with glow sticks. 

We let the kids stay up until midnight. They were all wild and crazy and happy. I couldn't believe that Brooklyn lasted. Amanda and I got the sparkling cider ready and a few minutes before midnight we let the kids pop the last ballon which said to get out the noise makers and confetti poppers. We had the kids stand side by side so they wouldn't end up shooting each other and after the countdown confetti blasted everywhere. The kids cheered and made lots of noise and we all drank the delicious Martinellis. 

We quickly got rid of all the mess (and threw away the noise makers;) and headed home. Brooklyn fell asleep in seconds. Laneah lasted almost until we got home and then passed out after talking the entire way home. It was a great night. Thanks for having us over Brandon and Amanda!

Christmas 2013

On Christmas Eve, we went to Jason's mom's house to have dinner and open presents. Jason took my memory card out of my camera and I didn't know so I was only able to snap a few blurry pictures on my phone. This one was post worthy though. Laneah and Tessa both got princess pillows and were showing them off. Dinner was really good. I made homemade rolls for the first time and they turned out really yummy, especially with my homemade honey butter. 

The night before Christmas...

Laneah woke up about 5:30 on Christmas morning but we told her she had to wait until it was light outside. She did good and we all got up at 7:15. Brooklyn did not want to get up; she likes to sleep in like me, but as soon as she heard "presents", she popped right up.

Stockings first. The only candy they got was starburst. Brooklyn got Hello Kitty socks, Hello Kitty camera, a letter writing book, and ABC game and more. Laneah got lip smakers chapstick, Hello Kitty socks, a handwriting book, a Hello Kitty pen with a plume (like Fancy Nancy!) and more. 

Then it was time for presents. The girls were both really cute this year. My mom skyped with us to watch them open presents. Laneah really took the time to comment on and enjoy each gift this year. She got some great American Girl doll clothes for her and her doll. 

Brooklyn looking at a princess purse you can color and decorate with markers and gems.

As soon as Laneah saw the matching outfit from my mom, she left the room to change her clothes and her dolls clothes. 

One of the girls favorite gifts, from Aunt Norma and Uncle Jake. It is an animal pet that you can warm up or freeze. Laneah got a cheetah and Brooklyn got a pig. Brooklyn carries hers around all the time and likes me to warm it up for her. 

When Laneah saw the matching pajamas I got for her and Saige (her doll), she jumped up and gave Jason a hug. She told everyone it was her favorite present. 

Brooklyn loves little toys. She is a collector and has bags and purses full of little toys. Naturally she loved the small princess set. 

This picture is so funny. Like I said, Laneah got so excited over everything. We heard "This is just what I wanted!" and "I can't believe it!" many times. 

The girls got lots of princess dolls: Belle, Gaston, Beast (who changes into the prince), Cinderella, Aladdin and Jasmine. Laneah also got some leggings, air dry clay, Despicable Me Operation game. Brooklyn also got a play cell phone, keys, a Hello Kitty stuffed animal, a letter game, and a wooden cupcake set you can decorate with. I got a set of pots and pans from my parents, a blow dryer from Santa, and a camera strap from Jason (who also accidentally broke my camera on Christmas morning). Jason got a Redskins beanie, socks, basketball shoes and thermal long johns.  

In the afternoon we went to Jason's dad's house for Christmas lunch. Laneah got a kid tough camera and Brooklyn got her first bike. 

After Jason's dad's house we went to visit his grandmother and by the time we were done it was after 7 and we were exhausted. We stopped at a house close by that has the lights that coordinate with a music station and then went home to get get ready for bed. Busy, busy Christmas.

December

We got our first bit of snow in December. It wasn't much, but the girls were determined to make a snowman. 

The girls had lots of school parties. I went to Brooklyn's preschool one day to help the kids make gingerbread houses. 

Laneah's friend Ezra came over for a sleepover and they made a checklist of things they wanted to do. I can only read some of it: pillow fight, glow sticks, frost Christmas cookies, bracelets. It was adorable. 

Ezra and Laneah showing off the bff bracelets they made for each other. 

For Ezra's birthday we all went to see Frozen, the newest Disney movie. 

Brooklyn made this cute Santa mask at preschool. 

We bought our Christmas tree and decorated it. Jason loves getting a real tree every year. 

Our neighbor threw a pj Christmas party. The kids played Just Dance on the Wii, made a craft, ate cookies and milk and exchanged secret santa gifts. It was really cute. 

All the kids love Jason. 

We went to Jason's dad's extended family Christmas celebration. The kids made sugar cookies and did a white elephant game. 

Brooklyn's completed cookies.

We did our December kiwi crate. They made polar bear mitts and headbands and there were special balls to catch with the gloves. 

I went out with my mother in law and sister in laws to celebrate Megan's birthday. 

The girls listening to me reading a story. They looked too cute not to snap a photo. 

Kathy got Laneah a pot holder craft for Christmas and came over to help her make some. 

And we finally made it to see the Christmas lights at the temple. It was after Christmas, but it was still packed. The girls loved seeing the lights. 

2013 is winding up.