Date nights!!!

We were so excited for one on one time with our kiddos! 

Eli chose Pancho and Willies!! We feasted and ate way too many carbs.

Then we headed to Wild Island for laser tag, golf, and go karts.

In the laser tag game, the other group targeted us and we lost. Mind you everyone playing was under 8 and the 2 girls (age 6) took a shining to killing Jody.

Who knew... Eli can drive really well on video games!

Jody had quite the mad skills!! Scoring many a 2!!

And of course, ending the lovely night with some Yogurt Beach!!

Such a wonderful night together!

1st Time Bus Caroling

I am so blessed to have the family I do.

This year there are a lot of emotions as I process the loss of my Yiaya.

Plus, I have so many fun memories of Christmas with my mom.

It's hard to not have them with me. For my kids to have to have memories instead of the real deal.

Uncle Jerry was "supposedly" home, but he never "heard us". Even though Thea Popi was banging the door!!!

It was funny because we walked into every house. Didn't know lyrics. Eli always was the only one to sing the echo on Rudolph.

We were STARVING by the end!!

It was a phenomenal night with the best of family.

Sparks North Pole-ish Holiday Festivities

We live in such a dive. At least we have fun together though.

This was Sparks' attempt at Holiday fun and it was lame, however the kids made the most out of it by KARAOKE!!!!

Quotes of the night included, "My favorite school subject is lunch." and Ella, "These pink unicorn earmuffs aren't mine, they are my brothers."

The kids were all soooooooo confident and did a GREAT JOB!!!!!

Seriously, not even one issue getting up in front of a bunch of strangers and singing.

Joe took them for In and Out while I finished up some holiday shopping.

Fun times!!!

8th Annual Cousin Cookie Party

7 Soups. 200+ cookies. 15 lbs frosting.

FUN FUN FUN!!!!!!!!!

I truly LOVE feeding people.

This was only possible because all of my family helps out.

Definitely a TEAM EFFORT!!!

Oh my goodness, little girls are the best to dress up.

 

I forgot my cookie cutters and used my mom's! She had this great giant gingerbread man that really added to the party this year. I love how each year there is something she's added even though she is not physically with us. Thanks Mom for always being a hoarder. And I mean that in the nicest most appreciative way. Truly.

 

Crazy story, I am vegetarian during the week now. I had NO CRAVING FOR SUGAR!!! This is the first time in 8 years I didn't sneak frosting or sugar cookie dough and I had no desire!!!

VEGETABLES FO' LIFE!!!!

 

The cousins that play prodigy together go to MIT together.

My gorgeous bestie broke the internet with her beauty.

Freaking bombshell. And the reason I refuse to take pictures with you.

They made BFF cookies. Teefy won most colorful!!!

So good to catch up with Rachael. Her kiddos are fun!! They took home most WOW factor and most Christmas-y award.

Seeing them enjoy themselves and creat is the best part!

Wonderful to have Maria, Lisa and her girlfriend with us this year!!

Kim = Life

I am the luckiest person in the world to have Alex as my friend. He is my laughter!! It was so nice to have him this year!!

Going strong!!! Here's to many more years together at the cookie party!! So glad they are happy, healthy, and full of adventure. I need to join them on one of their hot spring trips.

Josh did a great job decorating.

Glad Tobi could come!!!!!!

COUSINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone! Another one in the books and absolutely amazing!!!!