L-I-F-E

Remember this board game?  Well Emily got it for Christmas.  We have played it about 6 times...

Three Amigos

What's with the trend of mustaches?  They are everywhere...accessories, gag gifts, etc. 

Too Sweet

not to post this picture.  Wednesday we got to dog sit for Sadie!

Thai Take-out

It's tradition....we host a Thai take-out dinner the day after Christmas for my girl friends and families.  This year everyone (except the Byard family, they live in San Diego) was able to attend.  It was great, fun, loud and lots of chaos! 

The girls wrote a song and dedicated it to Niko.  Madlyn sang while Emily accompanied with her guitar.



Not an easy task getting all these kiddo's coordinated to take a picture!  From the left we have Max, Madlyn, Niko, Emily and Edward.



 

Over the river...

and through the woods to the Pederson's house we go.....
Christmas day/evening was spent with my side of the family at the Pederson's house in Maple Valley.  And a great time was had by all.  And a fabulous dinner was prepared!  The most yummy prime rib.  And lots of fun gifts.  And lots of laughs.

My favorite girls!

Grammy Jill checking out her personalized calendar from Emily and Kaitlyn.

Hello Santa!

Santa delivered on Christmas morning!  Complete with a....

Friendship bracelet maker......

a Slushy Magic maker.....

and a glitter lava lamp!

I think my favorite gift to Emily was the guitar that Chris and I gave her.  It was a huge hit.  She even has a 'song book' that she made this morning to record her very own songs.

Those of you that are Christmas Vacation fans like my husband can appreciate these Marty the Moose mugs.  Chris had to test them out with Christmas morning egg nog!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is spent with the Moser side.  We headed to Sandy and Al's around lunch time, had appetizers and then a wonderful yummy dinner.  Mixed in there was of course lots of holiday cheer. We were spoiled! Thank you for a great day filled with fun memories!

 

 

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Merry Christmas!

20th?

Wholly Batman....20th girls annual ornament exchange?  Yes!  Jen, Chrissy, Karla, Jamee and I have done an ornament exchange each year and 2012 marks the 20th one!  Even though Jen B. is in San Diego she is always with us in spirit. Thank you Jamee for hosting a wonderful brunch.

Dogs and Cookies

Yesterday was mostly spent being lazy, relaxing and wrapping gifts.  Emily did have a special delivery for her canine friend Sadie.

Then that evening we all hopped in the car (wearing our slippers at Em's request) and headed out to scope out Christmas lights.  After driving for a bit Emily wanted to call Luke since we were in their neighborhood.  It worked out great...they were just baking Christmas cookies and needed help frosting them. 

Nutcracker

We treated Sandy to the Nutcracker and dinner last night.  What a great time.  Emily LOVED it....her favorite part was the peacock.  It brought back memories for Chris as they would go every year with his mom and Nana.

My Elf

My own wrapping elf!  She is for hire.....

Gingerbread Season

This is the year of the gingerbread!  Three houses and one person. 

• The gingerbread person - decorated at Madlyn's Red party.
• The gingerbread house on the left - constructed at Emily's brownie meeting.
• The gingerbread house in the middle - assembled at school.  As a treat, Chris got to take part in the festivities in Emily's classroom!
• The gingerbread house on the right -  made with cousin Kaitlyn.

Let it Snow!!

According to Emily this is the best day ever!  She woke up to snow, school is delayed for 2 hours, she gets to wear her PJ's to school (spirit day), she has a pizza party for lunch and they are decorating gingerbread houses.  Plus today is the last day of school before winter break.  What's not to love?

Singing Into the Holidays!

Emily had her school music concert last night.  Thanks to all our family who turned out to support Emily.  I thought it was a great show.  Ms. T did an excellent job.  One of Emily's favorite subjects in school is music so she was really excited.  They even played the recorder.  Remember the recorder from your days in school?  Actually my mom saved mine and now Emily uses it to practice!



The second and third graders at Foothills Elementary

 

Emily, Taylor and Mallory

 

Holidays with Brownies

At Emily's brownie meeting this week the troop invited their families for a holiday celebration making gingerbread houses.  Stay tuned for upcoming pre-sale for Girl Scout cookies in January!

Cookies, Tea and a Visit

Yesterday was a perfect day to make holiday cookies.  Emily did 99% of the work.  She is becoming a great baker!  Once complete she said we should have tea.  Sounded like a great idea.  Then she said 'I have a better idea, let's call Stan and Kath for tea'.  So she got their phone number, called them up and invited them for afternoon tea.  She was quite the hostess....serving all us tea and cookies.

 

Oh Christmas Tree

We ventured out Sunday morning on search of the perfect Christmas tree.  I think we found it (though I say that every year).  I must say it's a lot bigger in the house than it looked on the hillside!

Kicking Off the Season

On December 1st we kicked off the holiday season in style!  I had the 8th annual moms, mom-in-laws, sister, sister-in-law girls holiday outing.  We headed to the Windmill nursery for a wreath making class and then to lunch at Mama Stortini's.  The wreaths turned out awesome and it was so much fun to catch up with this amazing group of women. 

While I was at my girls outing, Emily was attending a 'Red' party at her friend Madlyn's house.  This year the girls decorated gingerbread people and made ceramic ornaments.

Then we topped the day off with a slumber party with Kaitlyn.  I had the girls decorate gingerbread houses.  I must say this was a good call on my part as it kept them busy for over an hour!  A holiday DVD movie and some popcorn will end the day.  It was a great day but all this holiday cheer can wear you out!