Cozy Christmas & Freezing New Years

It was a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year for us!  Halle was the first awake this year (at around 7 - wow!)

Her favorite toy was candy canes - and wrapping paper (big surprise)

 Josh loved his Monster Truck K'nex, a remote control alien space ship, & scooter.

 Quinn stocked up on books (she wants to be just like her cousin Mallory - a beautiful book worm), make-up, & an IPod docking station.

 Here is my hunk of a man in his new jacket.  His favorite present has been everyone's favorite this year: Magnetic BuckyBalls. (ba bang! Love it when I surprise him with something he loves) If you want a small, quiet toy that your hubby can use to stay awake in church - this is it (it only got loud when everyone was asking if it was their turn yet).  You can check them out on u tube & http://www.thinkgeek.com/ if you're interested.

 Shelby's favorite toy hands down was "Baby Alive" this year, but a close second was the Dora bath paint set.  I don't think Halle liked it as much though.

Jessi stocked up on Design Stuff, clothes, & a scooter.

 Anyone who knows us, knows how much we love our backyard.  We built a tree house, a fire pit, laid tons of new sod & a sprinkler system just so we can enjoy hanging out there more.  You might think because it's close to zero degrees & the dead of winter our love of the backyard has diminished?  Wrong!  So this Christmas it came as no surprise when Joaquin said, "Hey, who wants to go build a huge bonfire with all the wrapping paper & boxes?"  I'm thinking this might be a new family tradition.

 I realize you'll think I'm a putzy Mom but my kids love cups.  Even before "Minute to Win it" my kids love to stack up those Costco cups, so here's a few of their creations.

ehtei

Happy New Year!  Josh still begs for Fireworks every night so New Year's we decided to make his dreams come true.  It was about 4 degrees & windy so he lit off one then said, "Dad, you can light off the rest, I'm going to watch from inside."  Yeah right!  Joaquin lit the last few all together & we all hurried inside.

 I just had to put this beautimus pix of all that crazy hair in (Tatum & Zoe eat your heart out).  None of my kids have walked or crawled for that matter much before they're one year old, but they all have grown gorgeous hair!

 Just loved this pix of Quinn making her smile.

 We didn't get to our gingerbread houses until after Christmas but it made for a tasty treat (since none of them stayed upright very long).

 Cousin Zoe & Halle playing with Ty.

This is the last one, I promise.  Look at that stinker!  She just loves to sneak over & sink her hands into that dark brown dirt (she must have some of Grandma Donna in her).  She doesn't ever eat it but she loves to play with it between her fingers.  

Side note, she has said a few words that make us all smile:  Uh-oh (first), dada (second), and as of yesterday Jessi.  You should have seen Jessi's face light up when she said it for the first time.  No mama yet, but I think I'll survive.