New Years Eve 2010

Each year my in-laws host a dress-up/ethnic themed dinner. The first year it was a celebrity American themed dinner. Last year it was an Asian theme. And this year was Italian.

Does it bother you as much as it does me when people pronounce Italian "eye-tallion" ? Man, it kills me.

Oh, well. I got over that and enjoyed myself anyway. Tyler and I contributed by making brushcetta (like we did for this party) and I made cute little flag pennants that I strung in the dining area. My MIL added some typical Italian style restaurant tablecloths to add to the ambiance.


The rest of the menu consisted of Tyler's aunts famous Lasagna, a delicious and simple Caesar salad, blood orange Italian soda (name?), and this yummy Carraba's copycat chicken dish. Reeeeeally yummy. And we finished it all off with gelato. mmmmmm.

And of course, the funnest part, the dressing up. I was a slacker this year and pretended to be a gondola driver. Ya, I only got as far as a shirt. The kids were Mario Kart characters, because, you know, they are Italian! Samuel, Mario, Cecily, Luigi and Jocelyn, Toadstool (Okay, not Italian, but you know, with the theme). Tyler was a Italian teenager because he looked HOT in his new sweater that I bought him from Eddie Bauer on clearance for $15. I heart Eddie Bauer. My FIL dressed as a mafia gangster along with Troy, Jana and Carson. My MIL was an Italian cook and the girls were Italian masqueraders.













Goodbye 2010! You were awesome!

Christmas 2010

Christmas was lovely this year. We headed over to Colorado again.

Long story: Although, we were supposed to spend it with my folks in Utah, my sister, who was great with child, was too close to her due date to come out to Utah so she convinced us all to go out there. All but my older brother and his family were there. She was a great hostess. We actually stayed with my in-laws who have bigger accommodations. And so we split our time between the two families. Boy am I glad both our parents don't live in the same state! What a pain to have to choose which place you want to eat dinner or whose house you want to play games at. And for me, who is incredibly indecisive, made things even harder. Needless to say, we were able to see both families (though more of my in-laws because we don't get to see them as much during the year).

We did lots of things and not much relaxing went on. BUT lots of eating happened! Good grief! I gained at least 5 pounds in the month of December. Or perhaps it started in November when I started rehearsals for my show and (which ended right before we left) exercising ceased.

These are some things that we did over the holiday break.

Played:

Euchre of course!

And I won Ticket to Ride one day! That made me feel good because I rarely win games, especially when playing against Grant or Tyler.

Poker--well the boys did. (photos courtesy of my sister Rose)

on Uncle Grant's back (Jennie's husband)

and army men with Papa with Sammy's new toy gun.

Ate:

Cookies! My downfall this time of year. Samuel licking the bowl. I taught my children well :) Carson is still a little young to understand the whole decorating process yet.

Christmas Eve dinner at Jennie and Grants. Tyler went all out and attempted to make Beef Wellington for the first time. It was a success! Jennie made delicious brussel sprouts along with rolls, carrots and mashed potatoes. And we topped it off with Tyler's cheesecake.





Visited:

With one of my best friends, Heather, and her two boys.

Sadly, due to illness I missed visiting with one of my other besties, Nora!

Witnessed the birth of my newest nephew, Luke. I've never witnessed the birth of a baby from the other side. That was cool! I tried to be her doula though I could not convince her that she could go naturally once she hit active labor and contractions were 2 minutes apart. I am still interested in training to be one in the years to come but man! Helping was hard work (I massaged her legs, pushed her feet, etc....labor stuff) I was tired by the end of the process, but it was WAY easier than actually having a baby! Plus, get this, he wasn't due for another 2 1/2 weeks! Good thing she didn't come out to Utah afterall! We were all able to see him before we left for Utah, including my parents.


Got sick:

Cecily started it all with a runny nose and fever. But look how happy she still is!

Entertained:

Going to a movie and the ballet (Nutcracker) with my parents and sisters, and the King Tut Exhibit which was fabulous! No pictures allowed, but gorgeous gold and coffinettes (the mini and ornate coffin that his stomach was saved in. Cool, huh!, no, really, it was cool).

Opened waaaaaaay too many presents:

Jocelyn helping Warren open a present on Christmas Eve.

Jocelyn digging the unwrapping thing or the camera thing on Christmas Eve.

Cecily's 1st Christmas morning.

Samuel helped me pick this one out for him :)

And just had fun!
My favorite thing about this time of year is being together with family. Relaxing and enjoying each others company. And remembering the importance of the Savior's role in our lives.

Gingerbread houses

This is the first year we've ever made gingerbread houses together as a family. Pretty fun!
We invited Tyler's sister Emily and my cousin Ben over for the occasion. Don't you think they would make a cute couple? I thought so. Dark hair, beautiful smiles, olive skin, sparkling eyes.....

Oh, and Sammy and Ben's was a "castle not a house".

Jocleyn's 4th Birthday

Jocelyn had a full month of birthday celebrations. It started early with her big gift of the kitchen set. So I based her party on that. I invited her pre-school friends plus 2 more. And 2 couldn't come so we had a smaller group with just 3 friends. It worked out great. You can see more details and photos here.

Then while we were in Colorado for the holiday we celebrated on the actual day (December 27). She received way too presents and was very shy about all the attention. She actually tried opening her gifts with one hand while covering her face with the other. lol. One of her favorite gifts, I think, is a pink wig. It's hilarious but she loves it.

Jocelyn is a sweet, dramatic, helpful, willing, determined, smart little girl. Sometimes she scares me with her wit and dramatic flare. But at other times she is sweet and needy. She's currently the middle child and handling it pretty well. We love you Jocelyn!





Cameo's of the guests:





Photo compliments go to Troy.

Pirate Island

I bought a Pirate Island Groupon and invited Jennie/Grant/Warren and Emily along for the fun. We went opening night of my show, so, you know, I wouldn't have to cook! The food here is not so great and the arcade section is much smaller than Chuck 'E Cheeses but I like that it isn't overcrowded and the decor is always fun. Plus it's a riot trying not to strain when the servers speak "pirate talk." Plus the kids had a blast and came home with some good "booty."

Cecily, a little overwhelmed by the intensity of this air-hockey game.

Jocelyn just stared at this female pirate for the longest time. She honestly believed she was a real pirate. She kept getting closer and closer. It was the funniest thing.

The End. haha.

Thanksgiving Turkeys

Ya, pretend it's still Thanksgiving. Without overeating again. Without having to rush to finish Christmas shopping. Just for a minute let's take a glimpse back to my November.

We made these little chocolate covered rice krispie turkeys. I didn't really like plain old rice krispie treats but covered in chocolate makes me want to gobble them up. OH, and I did!

I made these twice. Once with Jocelyn's preschool and then again with my nieces. I think they are easier to eat when they are flat but look more like a turkey in the ball form.

Here is the first round.

These were eaten so quickly. Even Tyler liked them and requested more! He must have been desperate for sugar because that is huge coming from the head chef. Here are my nieces making theirs.

The carnage.