Colorado

Tyler and Derek played a lot of football.  Unfortunately (or fortunately for them I guess) there was NO snow in Colorado!  I couldn't believe it.  There really wasn't even much on the ground.  It didn't snow the entire 10 days we were there.  We were all bummed.

 We had a fun New Year's Eve with lots of games and yummy foods.

 My baby sisters - oh how I love them!

 My kiddos - ready for church. 

Christmas

We left our house at 4:30am Christmas morning to get to the airport.  I was mad loading all the suitcases into the trunk at 4:30am because I was sweating!  Yes, sweating on December 25, did I mention it was 4:30 in the morning??!!  I just kept thinking, I can't wait to get to Colorado to get out of this danged heat!  It was an easy flight.  We got to CO about 11am.  The kids had written a letter to Santa asking him to drop their presents off in Colorado.  They were excited to get there and see what Santa had left them!

 

 Brena got lots of fun presents, including a new Udraw for the Wii.

 She'd been wanting a robe forever, so I'm glad Santa remembered that!

 The 3 little girl cousins.

 Brena loves Little House on the Prairie books.  Grandma made her her very own Little House on the Prairie dress!

 Complete with bonnet :)

 Tyler was excited to get the Guinness Book of World Records.

 And his Aaron Rodgers jersey!

 He and Derek spent a lot of time on the Wii.

 We went down to Tj's parents and had fun playing with cousins down there.

 The kids visiting g-pa

 and gigi.

We had a wonderful Christmas and it was nice to spend it with family.  We really miss Tj, and look forward to spending next Christmas with him.

Ballet

 Brena is in her 4th year of dance, that seems crazy to me!  She is such a good little dancer :)  Every year before the holiday break we get to go into their class and watch them perform and see the dances they will be performing at the end of the year recital which is held in the big auditorium at UNF.

Tyler's Party

 For Tyler's "holiday party" they decorated gingerbread houses.  I have never heard of decorating a milk carton!  It was SO easy!  I know how I'll be doing gingerbread houses from now on!  He had a great time slathering on all that frosting and adding the candy and graham crackers. 

 The finished house!

School Party

 Brenalee's class had their "Holiday Party."  They did different stations showing what different countries do at Christmas.  They all put one shoe outside the door because that is a tradition fr the children in Holland (I think it was??)  Then, St. Nick fills the shoes with candy.  Sure enough, when the kids went out and looked in the hall, they were filled with candy!

 This wreath on the top of the head was another custom - and I can't remember which country that was from either!

 Decorating Gingerbread cookies - Germany??

 Playing Dreidel...Jewish game.

 Then they did the pinata - I know that one :)  Mexico!  Brena was one of the last in line and unfortunately she did not get a chance to whack the pinata.  She was devastated.  But, she was a trooper and got over it without too much fuss.

 This cracked me up because it is SO Brena.  She has her desk all blinged out!  Can you see the beads and bracelet hanging from it?  There was more on the other side too - she is so funny.  Her room is like that too, beads and stuff just hanging everywhere!

 Eating all her sugar - oh boy!