New Year's Eve

We had the annual Anderson New Year's Eve party. It is such a fun, laid back night! With lots of yummy food and even better company. We rang in the New Year East Coast style at 10 and then headed home. As we were coming into Smithfield we could see some really weird lights in the sky. The gals were excited when we discovered they were floating lanterns like in Tangled. Here's to a great 2013!

Christmas Dresses

I have always loved to get matching dresses for the gals for Christmas, this was the first year that Brooklyn had outgrown the little girls size. So we went with a color scheme. I sure do love these gals!!

And the way most of the pictures turned out. Why does it have to be so hard to get a picture?

Fun, Fun, Fun

The gals were so excited for Brett and Chelsea to get here- they could hardly contain themselves. We tried to fit in lots of fun with them while the were here.  It was also fun having my parents come along to the activities. Gracie wanted to go to the Fun Park for her birthday, but wanted to wait for Chelsea to get here to go. She prayed every night that they could go. (It is not the funnest activity for the adults, but how could we tell her no when she was praying for it.) We also had a day of sledding and tubing and make a trip down to Temple Square to see the lights. We also had some fun low key days of just hanging out.

I am not sure who had more fun- Brett pulling the kiddos or them riding. Gracie wasn't so sure about it and didn't know if she wanted to try it. But, she did and loved it! I was proud of her for trying! The highlight was Brett taking Brooklyn for her last ride. He took off as fast as he could. Snow was flying up in her face and couldn't get them to stop. Finally she fell off- that made both of the gals going in the house bawling.

Gotta love the snowball fight that ended up with Gracie crying!

This is an inside joke, but Brett kept changing up his hat and I would take a picture of it every time. Sean started making fun of me for doing it. So every time Brett would move Sean would say I should take a picture. And gotta love the photo bomb of Brett behind my dad.

It was SO SO cold! Our attempt at trying to get a picture. Sean was fighting a cold and kept his face covered as much as possible!

Classic picture of the trip. The kiddos had been dragged from activity to activity and were so tired. Brooklyn wanted to ride in the stroller and was mad that I wouldn't let her. So she wanted in the picture, but her face shows exactly how she felt about it.

Enjoying the Fun Park

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a success!! Christmas morning was so much fun! The gals slept in until 8- we woke Ella up and the fun began. Santa spoiled the gals and they were so thrilled with everything they got. They were so excited when they saw that Jingles got to stay and watch them open their presents. They were so gracious and kept saying, "Thank you so much Santa." Ella took her time and could not stand to have the wrapping paper on her hands or on the ground. She would have a little piece and do her little whine until we got it from her- then she would go back to opening and get another piece and same thing- whine until we took it from her. Then she would play with her toys and enjoy them. 

After we opened presents, we headed to Paula's house for a delicious Christmas breakfast. We came back home had naps and played with toys and then headed out to my parent's for a yummy dinner and more family time. The gals were spoiled rotten by everyone. I love spending time with my family- we have so much fun together. I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. I am always so sad when Christmas is over!

I love the look on both of their faces!

My dad and brothers

My parents got an IPad- not sure who is more excited them or the grandkids!

Christmas Eve

We had a very low key Christmas Eve- we were to be going to my cousin's in Hooper, but Sean was sick and a nasty snow storm has settled over Smithfield. We thought everywhere would be nasty- my cousin drove from Nibley to Preston and she said it was a little snowy and the roads were driveable until you got into Smithfield and it was just plain nasty. So we got us a couple 20 piece nugget meals from McDonald's, watched a movie, opened Christmas jammies, got Santa and the Reindeer their treats, and the gals were in bed and asleep by 8:30. I sure wish I would've taken a picture of it! Sean, Brooklyn, and Gracie had gone sledding earlier in the day with our good friends Nick and Monica and didn't last too long. It was quite different for me to be home on Christmas Eve- I don't think I have ever done that my whole life. But it was fun to be together as our little family!

Gracie's Birthday

In the midst of all our fun December/Christmas activities, we have Gracie's Birthday on the 20th. I have been adamant since I found out we would be having a December birthday in our home that we make sure and give her the time and celebration that is given for any other month birthday. I can see how we could totally space it and it just get lost in the mix of Christmas and I want Gracie to know that her birthday is very important to me. (Enough of my soapbox.) :) Gracie was beyond excited when she woke up and saw that our Elf Jingles had brought her some balloons for her birthday. She had preschool and wanted to take cupcakes for her class. She couldn't wait to open her presents so she opened her gifts from us before we headed out the door- hence her coat on in the pictures. We asked her what she wanted to do for her special day- she really wanted to go to the Fun Park, but wanted her aunt Chels to be there for it (Chels was coming in on the 22nd.) She loves Fredrico's so we met there for dinner. Brooklyn was to be performing at half-time at the USU basketball game but decided she didn't want to at the last minute- so we took Gracie to the Fun Park and let her play for a little bit. It was such a fun day and I cannot believe that my little Gracie is 5!!!