New Year's Eve at our House

It may sound boring to some but for New Year's Eve we stayed home, ordered pizza, played with our babies, made smores, and went to bed early. We were exhausted from the holidays, but that was a fun night to us. At least it was relaxing.

Gracie loves her new busy ball popper.

Anna was pretending to go fishing and catch a big fish.

Oh, I almost forgot, we did go see a movie in the afternoon. We took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel on New Year's Eve.

Anthony's Visit

Our friend's son, Anthony, goes to year round school where they live, so he goes 9 weeks then has off 3 weeks all throughout the year. Usually once or twice a year he spends one of his weeks off down here at our house. We have a good time with him when he comes, and Noah loves having a big brother for a little while. He hates to see Anthony go. He spent the week after Christmas with us this time, and we went to the mall, went to the arcade, made cookies, and took the little ones to see Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel. Not really a movie a 17 year old wants to see, but he was a good sport and went along and enjoyed it anyway for the sake of the kids. He also started learning some new songs on the piano since Noah's taking lessons now. He usually plays the drums though, and he's very good. When we go up to their house to visit he teaches Noah a few things on the drums. We all miss having him around now and can't wait until he comes back again.

Anthony with all the kids. Grace blinked for the picture, but it was the best picture I could get.

Anthony and Noah about 7 years ago. Anthony was 9 and Noah was about 6 months.

Anthony and Noah now.

Playing Rock Band in Old Navy.

Riding bikes at the arcade.

Playing air hockey, Noah's favorite.

Playing skee ball with Anna.

Anthony helping the kids out at basketball.

Practicing a song on the piano.

Merry Christmas!

I have to warn you ahead of time this post contains a ton of pictures, but it's Christmas day so what do you expect? We had a wonderful Christmas. The kids all had a great time opening their presents and loved each and every one of them. As usual at our house, Arron and I were the first ones up on Christmas, and we eagerly went and woke up all our children so we could get started opening all the gifts. We're like two kids ourselves when it comes to Christmas. After everything was opened I made french toast for all of us for breakfast, and it was so yummy. Then we got started getting everything ready for my mom and grandma to come over later and have dinner with us. They arrived mid-afternoon and brought more gifts for everyone to open. We had dinner first though, and then got busy opening the last of the presents. Afterwards we had dessert, then cleaned everything up, and my mom and grandma went home. Grace then laid down for a short nap, Arron fell asleep on the sofa, and Anna and I went and laid out on the sofa in the playroom to watch her new Mickey Mouse movie, and we both fell asleep as well. It was an exhausting but fun day, and we all enjoyed our Christmas naps at the end.

Santa was here.

Waiting patiently to open presents.

Noah started off with the big one first.

He got a new bike.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic games, he's been wanting that a while.

Anna helping Grace open one of her presents.

Noah helping Anna with one of hers. It's My Toon TV, so Anna can dance and watch herself on tv.

Noah got a new DS.

Noah helping Grace with another present.

Anna got a dinosaur that roars. She loves dinosaurs.

A Ni Hao Kai Lan book that she can color in and wipe it off and color in it again.

Not sure why he looks kind of terrified in this picture because he loves Bop It.

Anna's been wanting to have a tea party for a while now.

Getting her tea set all set up.

Time for tea.

She's so excited about this one.

It's Ni Hao Kai Lan.

Gracie checking out her new toys.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic winter games for Noah.

A fun toy clock for Grace.

Her first toothbrush and toothpaste.

A new car seat toy for Grace. (Bailey keeps getting in all my pictures of Grace.)

Anna got a Mickey Mouse movie. She loves Mickey.

Gracie loves her new pacis and couldn't wait to try one out.

Grace playing with her new busy ball popper. This was the hit toy. All of the kids actually like it. It is pretty neat.

The mess in our living room after everything was open.

And then Grammy and Nanny came, and it was time for more presents....

Anna loves her Wubbzy.

Noah's excited about the Bolt movie and game he got.

Anna's new baby. It sounds just like a real baby too.

Anna helping Grace open her new soft book.

Gracie and her new toys.

Helping Grammy open presents.

Anna loved helping everyone open presents.

Enjoying all their presents at the end of the day.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve night we went to the candlelight service at church like we do every year. All three of the kids behaved so well throughout the entire service. When we got home we took a family picture in front of the Christmas tree while we were all dressed up. This one was the best one.

Our family on Christmas Eve.

Anna and Noah

Sweet little Gracie

Then later on that evening before the kids all went to bed they were allowed to open one present. Noah was very excited to get the My Sims Racing game from my aunt and uncle, and Anna just loved her princess dress up set from them. She couldn't wait to put everything on. Since Gracie's only 9 months old and probably wouldn't be interested in trying to open a present we let her wait until Christmas Day to open everything. I don't think she minded, she was wore out.

Opening a present on Christmas Eve.

Just what she wanted.

He's so excited to play it.

Our little princess.