NYE @ Pabsts!

One of our favorite families moved out of our ward.

They have kids our age, and their kids have kids our kids ages.

When their kids come to town, we all get to hang out and play.

It was SO much fun!

 Bridget and Maddie

Lucas and Kylie

 Mason, Daxton, Nathan, Emily, Scarlett, Juliet

Juliet and Daxton, my future son in law.

 Mills, Hibberds, and Wittes

 And, Bridget being Bridget...

There are more pictures that Laura needs to send me, and the funniest video of Bridget ever.

I love the Pabsts, and hate that they moved!

But, I love that we still get to see them and hang out with them and eat pie!

Best NYE in a long time!

Christmas 2013

The kids saw full stockings, so that meant Santa came!

So down the stairs they ran...

 Santa left games for the kids to play with, In our house Santa doesn't wrap anything.

The Christmas Music came on and the babies danced and danced.

Except, they aren't really babies anymore. Sniffle.

The kids wanted to open Grandma and Grandpa Horn's presents first.

 Scarlett LOVED her present:

 We had to skip bows this year because Mason is a bow ripper. LOL

 The kids really took the time to pick gifts for each other.

 We tried really hard to give the kids gifts that they could use, not leave on the floor. So they didn't really get "toys." Except this one: 

After Bridget got one for her birthday, Scarlett would just sit and watch her play.So Bridget asked me if it would be okay if Scarlett got one for Christmas, instead of her 6th birthday.

A redheaded one was HARD to find, but I did it!

Each girl got a quilt and a bed for their dolls.

Bridget asked Santa for Cami's and Panties and Nathan quickly said "I don't think Santa should be getting you that. Oh my was it funny. Bridget loved all of the ones she got.

 I spy a Snow White.

Every time I asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas (because we didn't do lists this year)

Mason would shout "paw-corn"

He was thrilled.

I was surrounded by Christmas aftermath when it was time to open my present from Liz.

 We ate breakfast, talked about Christmas, and then opened stockings.

 Someone at Nathan's office gave us these little pocket rockets.

Bridget was first to ride it!

I would have never bought these, but the kids loved them! This is of course a fun thing we will do in a closed parking lot this summer. :)

My favorite thing about this Christmas was how slow we took it. 

They loved their scripture bags, and new goodies inside.

We have 1pm church next year, so we had to get creative. :)

Most of their loot was educational, I guess you could say that was the theme.

We decided to nix the list making this year, because who knows my kids better than me? No one.

They were fully surprised with all of their gifts and that made it way more fun.

Lucas even said at one point, "this is something I never knew I wanted" (referring to a robot making kit)

We made Fish and Chips for Dinner, and wow!

SOOOOO GOOD!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Our family sure did.

Christmas Eve @ Witte's

What a relaxed evening. The kids were great, the food was good, and everyone left with smiles. :)

Our Sibling Theme was BLUE and can I just tell you, Ryan and Veronica nailed it! (again)

Hahaha.

Anyway, before that happened we took a quick picture before we left.

Oh man, if looks could kill. Hahaha.

When we got there, the kids did an activity.

Then we hung out a bit.

Yummy Sandwiches and then a Christmas story.

Then it was present time.

 

A fun, low key evening.

Catch Up/Christmas Programs

We have had a whirlwind of a week.
1) everyone had a high grade fever, but no symptoms.
2) church meetings/callings
3) a beautiful display of kindness at Costco
4) my car died mid drive home (in the snow)
5) car was luckily, an easy fix
6) a new witte cousin
7) an unexpected medical issue
8) weird work schedules
9) finals
10) Christmas programs

Since that is now at a pause (for now) and I am breathing, I will post both girls Christmas programs.

First, I was able to help in Bridget's Class. It was so much fun!

That boy is also in her church class.

Bridget is such a different girl for her teacher. I am so glad she has the opportunity to be her own person and be responsible for herself. They had stations and games and then a story. Bridget loves her teacher, and that is really great. Lucas's K teacher waits to leave the school until she sees Bridget because she knows Bridget wants to show her her outfit, or tell her a story or whatever. It is awesome.

There were lots of Moms to help, and it ended up being really fun. I laugh because all the moms were wondering who Bridget was because all of the kids talk about her at home. "Bridget likes Purple, Bridget thinks giraffes are cool, etc." It was funny to hear that she was little miss popular.

The next day was Scarlett's program. They sang and had a little party. It was a completely different experience. Scarlett, is nothing like Bridget. She is clumsy, and silly, and sweet. She doesn't care about the things Bridget cares about (READ ANYTHING BRIDGET CARES ABOUT)

She usually knows all of the words to songs first, and picks up on random things.

While all the other girls in Scarlett's class were dancing and singing, she was counting how many people were wearing red in the room. 32 to be exact. 

Lucas learned Silent Night on the Piano, Scarlett can sign it, and I know it in German.

We should have performed it at the Church Christmas Pageant. LOL

Tonight is Christmas Adam, and we usually have meatballs, but we decided to have soups to embrace this frigid weather. Gasp!A break in tradition!