New Years Eve

 There is no better way then ending the year with a great group of friends. We went up to the Trout Canyon Cabin and met Jimmy and Katie, Ben and Amy, Tyson and Ashley, Nick's mom, and Erik Odegard. Between the 4 families we had 11 children. There were kids running wild everywhere.

 All the kids got along great! We had the kids do the count down to the New York Ball drop which was really only 9:00. They were patiently waiting.

 We gave them Sparkling Cider. The kids toasted to good friends.....

 and then drank. They all went to bed shortly after.

 The next morning the kids went outside and enjoyed the snow. Avery does not like the cold and played inside the house.

Kasen on his way down. What a fun time we had!!  Happy 2013

Nails!

Avery was so excited to go see Aunt Steph at the salon. Aunt Steph gave her a manicure and polish and then drove her home. Avery loves anything that is Zebra print. Aunt Steph did a great job! Thanks!

Christmas Day!

The kids just waking up and opening their stockings at 6:00 in the morning.

Santa brought the two older kids Electric scooters.  Santa brought Kamden a bike and helmet.

Some of Kasens' gifts were clothes, legos, Rubik's cube, night vision goggles, DS game, movie, Madden 13 x box game, remote control buggie, and an Angry Birds game.

Avery received a Barbie case, Hamster cage (ended up getting a mouse the next day), baby doll, baby buggie, DS game, movie, glitter tattoo's, legos and of course body spray and nail polish.

Kamden got clothes, army men, a huge Spider Man action figure, DS game, Batman Jail House, Spy gear, race truck and Legos. I love watching them open up there gifts. They are so excited and just have the biggest smiles on their faces. After every gift they said thank you and where so happy.

After we opened our gifts we went down to Nick's moms house to meet up with the brothers and have breakfast. Kasen decided he would drive his electric scooter down to grandmas. It was only 24 degrees outside. FREEZING!

All of the grand kids. Kasen, Kamden, Matthew, Avery, and Chase.

Kamden sporting his new jammie's and beanie.

Playing with their gifts.

Kasen made this Gingerbread house at school.

Even though my kids get spoiled they always talk about what the true meaning of Christmas is. They talk about Jesus and the love he had for others. My older ones talked a lot about giving and every time we went to the stores they would bring their change to drop into the Salvation Army's donation box. I am so grateful for my family and my children. We had a lot of trying events take place this year, but we made it through stronger than ever. I love my husband and I am happy to spend another year with him and my children!

Christmas Eve

It is tradition that we go into my parents house on Christmas Eve. This year we got to celebrate with my parents new dog Sophie, my sister and brother in law Randy and my nephew. There is always a lot of laughter and joking around. This year all my mom wanted is for some professional photos to be taken. We got it all lined up and everyone looked great. The sad news was the photographer didn't show up. I felt terrible for my mom. We got some pretty cute ones with just our personal cameras.

My nephew's first Christmas. Avery could not get enough of him.

It is also tradition that the kids open a gift Christmas eve and also the gifts my parents have gotten them. They always get a new pair of pajamas and slippers. They were patiently waiting.

Jackson and Avery

My sister, Avery and Me

Avery loved her gifts. She got a DS game, movie, a huge Barbie set, Junie B. Jones Book Set and this super cute dog that shakes its head and barks. From Aunt and Uncle she got girlie stuff. Lipstick, purse and nail polish.

Kasen loved his gifts as well. He got a DS game, movie, Army truck, Army men, Army action figure and the Hardy Boys Book set. From aunt and uncle he got legos.

Kam kept saying he loved everything and everything was his favorite. He got a DS game, Astronaut costume, astronaut rocket ship with figures and some new clothes. From aunt and uncle he got a tractor Transformer.

My kids were spoiled as usual, but so thankful for everything they received.

There cute PJ's. At this point they were getting tired of taking pics. Hence no more smiles.

Our pretty table. I love my family and I am so blessed to have them in my life. We had a wonderful time together!

Christmas Card

 Thanks again to Judy Maughan for taking the pictures.

Christmas Sunday

Bass Pro Shops- Santa

This year we took the kids to Bass Pro Shops in Vegas to see Santa Claus. We went in with my mother and sister in law and my nephews. The line was really long so Julie stood in it while the kids played. They had different activities for them to do.

Chase and Avery cooking over the campfire

Enjoying some good conversation

They have a huge fish tank right outside the store entrance. Santa was scuba diving. The kids were able to ask Santa questions and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. The coolest thing is he would respond to you. They loved it!

 

The kids had a great time seeing Santa. I was shocked that nobody cried! We enjoyed a nice lunch together at Chili's before we came back to Pahrump.