Christmas 2012

My kids love making and decorating sugar cookies.  Easton wasn't feeling that good so he was our photographer during the decorating.

 Here are a collage of pictures he took. 

Growing up we had clam chowder on Christmas eve as a little kid I didn't love it but I still ate it.  Chad and I have also decided to have this tradition because as a grown up I love the clam chowder. Gretchen and Easton however do not really enjoy it.  This year they both decided to spit it back out into there bowl which made me sick.  Lucky they have a nice dad and he made them something different to eat so they wouldn't starve. 

 Listening to Dad read the Christmas story from the bible. 

This year we told the kids to get in there pajamas before they got to open there pajamas to throw them off a bit.  It totally worked look at Easton's face. 

They were all very happy with there pajamas!

 Here is my attempt at getting a picture of the three of them in front of the tree. 

 We decided to start a new tradition of opening a Christmas movie to watch before bed on Christmas Eve. 
All three kids slept downstairs in Gretchen and Kinslee's room.  Easton and Gretchen came and woke us up at 2:40am asking if we could open presents.  We made them wait until 3:30am. 

 Kinslee would not cooperate for a picture on the stairs. 

 Santa brought Kinslee new dress up shoes!

 Santa brought Easton gloves for football he was so excited. 

 Gretchen really really wanted a yellow furby.  Santa came through for her she was so excited.  Unfortunately her hair got in her face as I went to take the picture.  

I apparently put the camera away after Gretchen opened her furby.  We had a wonderful Christmas this year!!

Family Party

This year we were in charge of Chads families Christmas party. 

 Kinslee and Koby in front of the Christmas tree before the party started.

 The only somewhat good picture of all three of my kids. 

 Kinslee loves Santa Clause and was so excited that he came to our party. 

 Gretchen being her cute self.

Easton telling Santa what he wants for Christmas.

We had a good time and I think it went pretty well.  We don't have to worry about planning that again for another eight years. 

Christmas Party and Gingerbread house

Every year I forget to take pictures at our cleverly Christmas party.  This year I got three.

 Kendall and Easton half smiling

 Kendall looking mad and Easton

Kendall, Easton, Charly, Gretchen, Kaelyn, and Cassidy

Gretchen got to decorate a gingerbread house in Kindergarten. 

She decorated it all buy herself, and it looked super cute.

Gretchen's Christmas Dance Recital

Gretchen has been dancing for two years, and this year she was so excited for her dance recital. 

Here is a picture of Gretchen in front of the tree before we left for the show.

Noelle is Gretchen's student teacher this year and Gretchen loves having Noelle in her class each week. It is fun being able to see Charly, Noelle, and Kendall dance also.

Our whole family, Kinslee was surprisingly pretty good, she almost wasn't invited because she is loud and wont sit very long. 

Gretchen did so good, we are so proud of her!

Kinslee's 2nd Birthday!!

On Tuesday Kinslee turned 2.  I usually decorate there doorway for birthdays but totally forgot so I decorated the kitchen. 

 This is Kinslee looking at all the decorations.  She kept getting mad at Easton and Gretchen for telling her happy birthday. 

 Opening her present from Easton and Gretchen.  They gave her a box of princess dress up clothes.

Kinslee went to the doctor for her birthday and we did some shopping with Aunt Andrea and went and saw dad at work. 

 For dinner we had Kinslee's favorite dinner.  She loves spaghetti.

 After dinner she got to open her presents from mom and dad. 

 She got a baby doll. 

 She also got Ariel and Eric little people and there carriage. 

 Blowing out her 2 candles

Kinslee loved her cake and had a very Happy Birthday!!!  We Love you to pieces Kinslee, even though you are a little monster.

Cancun

A few months back some friends invited us to go to Cancun with them.  At first I thought there was no way we could go, but we decided to make it work and go to Cancun the Saturday after thanksgiving.  We got to Cancun late Saturday night.  Sunday we didn't do much.  We sat on the beach and read.

 I loved looking out at the white sand and the beautiful blue water. 

On Monday we went to some ruins, Chad and I were very excited to see these ancient ruins.  The first one we went to was the Coba ruins.  We were able to hike to the top. 

 We made it to the top. 

We all made it. 

Chad, Kent, Tessa, James, John,

Colle, Mary, Jamie 

 Here is a picture of me in front after we hiked back down. 

After we left Coba we went to a cenote and did some snorkeling.  It was my first time snorkeling and I was a little nervous.  It was way cool.  Some of the fish were tiny and I thought maybe I was in a fish tank.

 After snorkeling

 I have no idea what Chad was doing but I love it!

We kept taking pictures of the boys jumping off hoping to get an awesome action shot in the air.  Unfortunately

 I got this and

 this

 The girls opted for a still shot. 

Mary, Jamie, Tessa, and Colle

 Jaime, Mary, Colle, Tessa

After we left the cenote we went to the Tulum ruins.  These ruins are on the cliffs along the coast.  They were so pretty.  Chad and I could have walked around in here for awhile. 

 This is a picture of the boys on wake boards. 

 One night at dinner.

On Thursday we went to a cool place and went snorkeling in the ocean.  We saw lots of fish, turtles, and a sting ray. 

 Chad coming in from snorkeling. 

 Chad and James in there snorkeling stuff

 On Friday I finally got to do the one thing I really really wanted to do.  We went parasailing.  I have wanted to go parasailing forever but thought I never would get the chance. 

here we are before we left.  They took us out to the boat on a jet ski.  The jet ski ride to and from the boat was Chad's favorite part he loved it.  I enjoyed it also.

 We don't have the best picture because we were pretty far out in the ocean.  I loved it, I am so glad I got to do it. 

 Here we are walking on our last night on the beach.

We had and awesome time and I loved being able to spend some time with friends and also able to get some time with just chad and I in such a beautiful place.