Christmas Jammies 2010

One of our Christmas traditions is to get new jammies on Christmas Eve. The kids look forward to this every year. Emily picked out her own jammies while we were shopping for the kids' jammies one day. She also picked out her new bathrobe! She was still surprised when she opened them up tonight.

They also get to open the present from their sibling who drew their name. The kids had fun right away tonight. More photos to come...

Then my girls stayed up and cleaned up the kitchen and house so it would be spotless for morning. That was a great present to me!

Visions of sugerplums....

Katie and Carson have spent quite a bit of time right under the tree today. I am not sure why, but they were quiet and getting along so why not?

You'd better not pout...

Emily was so excited to go and see Santa at the mall a few weeks ago. We were so surprised that she was so happy to see and talk to a virtual stranger. We told her before we got there that he was a grandpa and a nice guy. She told the ladies in the store where she changed into her pretty dress that Santa was a good guy.

A Song, Santa, and Reindeer

Katie signed up at school to sing a solo at this outdoor Christmas concert at a local business park. Katie sang at the end of the schedule so there was no one there but our family to listen to her. We assured her that was the best way to do your first solo performance, not so nerve wracking! There was a Santa in one of the businesses that you could take your own photos with. Luckily Emily had a successful Santa visit at the mall a few weeks ago since she wanted NOTHING to do with this Santa. However, the "Big" kids all had to sit with Santa for a photo! We actually got to pet a real, live reindeer too! It was a cold and rainy day so to warm-up we made off quickly to see the Guardians of Ga'hoole movie at the cheap seats in Nampa.

Katie's First Choir Concert....

Katie has sung in her school choir this year and this was her first Christmas concert in Middle School. She actually smiled at us across the gym as we were snapping hundreds of photos that evening. The kids did a nice job performing! It was fun to see her up there too.

Cabela's Fish Feeding....

During the last visit from Steve's parents we took the kids to Cabela's during the fish feeding time. It is amazing to see all of those big fish and how they race to get the food. Everyone around the store gathers around the huge aquarium windows to watch the "show".

More Zoo Boise....

More zoo pics....when you have two cameras shooting you end up with LOTS of photos.

Happy 16th Birthday Jonny....

Jonny had a friend party too, the first one ever he announced to his friends during the party.

We had a small family party too on his birthday.

I can't believe he is 16! Where does the time fly....

He hasn't really asked to drive much yet either......lucky me!

The last visit of the season

This was the last visit to the zoo for 2010.

November Birthdays...

This was the year for having friends over for a birthday party. I usually keep it to family since we have so many birthdays so very close together. In fact we have about 1 a week starting with Emily on Oct. 23 and then Jonny, Kristina, and then Katie on Nov. 24th.

With the Thanksgiving break during the week of Katie's birthday we had a combined party for Kristina and Katie and their friends. They all ate pizza and watched Toy Story 3 on the wall. All the movie candy they could eat too.

And then the requested ice cream birthday cake too!

Let the festivities begin...

Cool boots....

Katie recently purchased these cool boots with some of her birthday money.

Snow is......by Emily

Snow is freezing cold

Snow is ice cream

Snow is good for us

Snow makes our tummy full

She was so excited to have the kids home and to have them take her out to play in the snow too!