Christmas Eve Eve

Christmas eve eve at the McGees was a delight!  Lisa put us to the test with this Sing-a-long game that no one saw coming.  We went first to get it over with but probably should have waited to see what the competition was like because let me just say the McGees were on their A game.  Brannums, Heaps, Knueppels were pretty impressive as well although I do think the Heaps might have got random objects thrown their way.

The white elephant exchange has its own surprise gifts as well but Jer and I scored big with 2 bottles of Martinellis!  

Excellent food, fun friends, thanks McGees for letting us crash you party last minute:)!

Hiking Thunderbird and Risk

 We hiked Thunderbird this chilly morning and you'll never guess who made it to the top FIRST...

 And the boys soon followed.  The kids were troopers. 

Harry even wandered off to make his own trail (scary).

 Jer and Chad had a picnic lunch waiting for us down at the bottom and it was yummier than I ever imagined it would be.

Then the boys came over here and played Risk.  Jake and Peter had a slight edge, because Jake F. was new to the game.  But he caught on quickly and would not go down without a fight.  

Jakester, we are going to have to work on legitimatizing your rolling technique.

Peter, we loved your awesome piano playing when it was the slow poke's turn:)

Have I mentioned how much I love no school days????

And how much I love that Jake gets to hang out with some of the BEST boys in the universe?

School's Out!

Luke and I stopped by to "help" with the cookie party.  

And it was a treat to see Bree in action with her friends: 

Georgia, Kennedy, Bree, Rachel, Sabrina, and Abby.

These girls can jump rope.

So glad school's out because that means I get Bree all to myself for the next 2 weeks!

Temple Lights

We switched things up this year and it worked like magic. 

Gorgeous night!

Gingerbread Palooza

 What Jon (pretty sure he's speaking for all the guys) thinks of the mandatory group shot.

 I think we need to keep Jamie in charge of setting up where the camera is placed. 

But I like that her leg got in the shot.

And Bree with the double bunny ears to an unsuspecting Jer.

She's so sneaky.

Loved all the creations of the night!!!

And especially loved that Jer missed a meeting to be there:)

Piano Recital December 2011

The kids did great once again!  This year they turned it up a notch and memorized 3 songs each.  That is no small feat and I am so proud of them and how hard they work.  

 Denise and I also did a little duet, Sleigh Ride, this year.  It was really good for me to have to learn a new piece and to have to play it in front of people. That is definitely not my thing, but it is good to have to stretch and do hard things.  

And we made it through without having to stop:).

Thanks Denise for letting us be guest at your recital it was fabulous!

Adult Christmas Dinner

DELICIOUS Dinner, hilarious games, great gifts and staying later than we should have made for a fabulous night.  This might be one of my favorite parties of the year!

Chocolatey Yum Day

Loved having the girls over to do some dippin!

So glad I did because I might not have otherwise known that:

 I need to change the setting on my camera. 

Maryann thinks she can have a real one, not just the leftover bits and pieces.

 Jamie is driving a new car, so you have to watch for her.

 Riley does not like where her new balls are.

And dipping over 100 pretzels is WAY more FUN with FRIENDS!!!

These girls are LIFESAVERS!

I am SOOO lucky to have such sweet friends!

Jon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, & Long Lost Friends

Thanks to Denise, I was able to take the kids to one of the coolest piano/cello concerts I have ever been to!  And as if it could get any better, we ran into these guys!  

Loved seeing them!!

 These two heard piano like they've never heard it before.  Jon Schmidt played with is head, his arms, his feet and even upside-down.  I think their favorite part was either hearing David Guetta's "Without You", or the Coldplay song.  Or it might have been when they merged 'The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow' with some Star Wars Imperial March song.  It was pretty phenomenal.  These guys are crazy talented. My favorite was when they pulled a young volunteer out of the audience to do an impromtu duet with Jon. 

The kid was AMAZING.  Such an impressive night.

But who am I kidding? The ultimate favorite part was seeing the Sheppards:) 

(and I was a little giddy because guess who was sitting 3 rows behind us? The AZ young mother of the year who also happens to be my favorite blogger.)

So mad I didn't get a picture with Denise since she's the reason we ended up at the concert.

Thanks Denise, it was an incredible night!!

Wintery Date Night

 Feeling the winter chill and holiday spirit in the air, Jamie laid out the perfect date night ...

(perfect except for two people who were missing argh!)

Yummy dinner, crisp walk, fabulous lights, cozy fire, planning session, outer space enlightenment, and setting up the Riley/Jamie one-on-one b-ball match made for a delightfully relaxing evening. 

So glad that valet made us go back for more. 

Gingerbread Houses with YW

 Hollie with her amazing planning and thinking ahead got gingerbread houses for each girl. 

And they had a ball making the most creative little houses ever!

Might just be the cutest group of girls ever. 

Happy Ri Day!

Or should I say Ri-month as it is better known around here?

Your birthday lunch was tricky you might say....

first, securing the date, then finding a table for 10, being rescued by the nice man who moved for us, then moving again, and being locked in with no refills (Kathleen and Sarah came through with the save phew).
But it was all worth it to have a partyin lunch to celebrate you!
And since you put the kibosh on the toast let's just take a moment here to say...

To Riley: 

She's always the first one to volunteer to help with anything...whether you're moving, cleaning, or being rubbed by a cat.  She'll chauffeur you, go to lunch with you, cook for you, or host a party for you like she's Martha herself.  She will even take you to gno when you're brand new, and still be your friend after feeding your husband and daughter when you're a no show. She's the first one to build you up when you're having a crummy day, she makes you laugh (especially when certain words make her laugh), and she forgives you when you slip up and leak out certain very important surprises. And tho she may not sing with you (or her husband) she can whip out an ornament like nobody's biz.  This girl has hidden talents.
(She can even pull off date nite with a migraine.)
Cannot believe we've been friends for over 5 years now. It has been a blast, you make life so fun!!

Can't even begin to say how lucky I am to have you for a friend!!! 

We love you Riley!!!

Happy Birthday!!!