Christmas Eve Night '08

Every year on Christmas Eve all of my family meets up at my Dads Brothers House. So, my uncle. We have done this since I will little. We now do it with our kids. A lot of people, food, and fun. We always have tons of food, listen to christmas music, catch up on the last year, and then ATTEMPT a new game. It is always a new one. This year, didn't go so well. We didn't quite get the game. Everyone had an opinion of how the game should be played. Okay, just the instructions and my brother Cory!!!! Hee, hee! In this first picture is my brother Jeremys wife Melanie. She hates pictures, but Cliff caught her unaware.

This is a picture of my uncle Ed and Cory. My brother.

From left to right: Jeremy, Melanie, Aunt Barb and cousin Scott. Scotty still to me. Sorry!

This is my dad. Dad your amazing. I love you! Next to him is my cute cousin Alyssa.

This would be Cory. By the facial expression you know better on how the game was. Next to him is his cute wife Bev. Thank goodness my brothers all married well. They are all great women. We lucked out too you know!

Christmas Eve Day '08

Here we are just hanging out enjoying the day. Aaron and Somer came out with their quad to give the kids rides. We realized real quick that one at a time was going to take forever. So, Cliff went and got our bike trailer and attached it to the back of the four wheeler. That was great. He was able to pull 3-4 kids around at a time. The kids had tons of fun. Eventually, Jeff and Ximena came over looking for their boys, Diego and Sammy.

The Perfect Arizona 'Winter'

Snow Games

Every year for christmas the whole neighborhood hands out treats to all of the neighbors. This year the Packers did something much better. They sent out invitations to the whole neighborhood inviting us to join them in snow games. They own Bahama Bucks and brought the snow balls. The game in the pictures above are of the last game we all played. Everyone lined up on one side of the field and ran to the other as a few chosen threw not so soft snow balls at the ones running. When you got hit you joined in on the throwing. It was fun to watch. There were indeed some tears. People got hit in the face and yes, usually kids. Sid got hit in the ear. Sammy made it to the end. It was really funny, he pretty much skipped down the park.

These three pictures above show another game that they played. There were about 7 groups of kids sitting in a circle and one snow ball. The snow ball got passed around in the circle and when the buzzer went off the person holding it was out. They continued this game until there was only one player left. The little kids loved this one. They just had no idea what game was coming next. The Packers were smart to start off easy and with no pain involved.

In these three pictures they played a competitive game. Everyone had a partner and one snow ball. You would toss the snow ball back and forth and further apart as you go. The last group left without dropping the snow ball won. The Packer boys won. My boys decided that it was much funner and easier to just eat them. They were so excited to have snow in their hands. That happens but once a year. Literally!!

The kids going for their first snow ball!

'08 Gingerbread Houses

This is a close up of Sid's. He went all out this year. We are looking yes at the house, but just behind it we are looking at a teeter totter. He also did a fire, and snow. He did a great job! We have tons of fun doing this every year with Grandma Shelly and her family. Did I mention that we also eat TONS of candy!

This is Davis and the house that I helped him do. It was actually pretty difficult. I did it with him in my lap. So, what I did is lopsided and everything he did, well, he did! He had tons of fun and enjoyed the candy.

This is Sammy and the house that Cliff helped him with. Sammy told Cliff what he wanted and then together they made it happen. His was the only one with a two car garage and a super swamper jeep. He is very creative. It's a good thing he had Cliffs help and not mine.

Caitlin did hers all by herself this year. She really did a great job. I was shocked when we got to see the finished house. She put it all together and did all of the decorations with no help. She did AWESOME!! She is so cute and just giggled the whole time!

Here is Sid. As you can see he is very proud of his accomplishment. I love the facial expression. Way to show your true personality. He is usually so shy that he only acts like this around those he knows REALLY well. He's a goof and we love it!

Superhero fanatics!

Sammy and Davis love ALL of the superheros. They have everything with them on it. This is Sammy's spiderman place mat. Unfortunately, there is only one. Not that it matters. I use it as a cutting board!! It works great. It works just those those other plastic cutting boards you can buy. Oh, well! This is Davis trying to wear spiderman. I guess his costume isn't good enough!

What a mess!!

This is Sammy. He and ALL the other kids thought it would be funny to, well, make snow. They took one of the cubes that protected one of my christmas decorations and seperated it into individual little balls. Balls that stuck to EVERYTHING! They were so staticky that It tooks weeks before they were completely gone!

Sid, attempting the clean up!

This is us looking for a christmas tree. Who do you see? Cliff, in the back, Sid, two of Sid's friends, Chase and Diego, and Davis up front. They could honestly careless about the tree. They all wore their Heely's. That and little holes in the shelves for them to climb around in was way more fun!!

Caitlins 7th Birthday Party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITLIN! We ALL hope that you had a great time. You are the sweetest girl! From top left Maliah, Claudia, Katherine, Rori, Sophia, Emily, Caitlin, Amy & Ryann.

Caitlin wanted her hair and make-up done for her party. Why not, what will it hurt. It IS her special day. She looked absolutely beautiful. She didn't need the make-up and hair to achieve it. She is so pretty all on her own. I love you Caitlin!!

This is Caitlin with Emily. This is Caitlin with her make-up on. She is wearing purple so that it matches her outfit.

This is the gang! We had tons of fun! We had pizza, cupcakes, did art, fingerpainting, and even made a homemade necklace. They formed it, backed it and then painted it. Then we put it on a string. I hope they had as much fun as Caitlin and I did.

This is Caitlins friend from school Amy. They have lots of fun together. Unfortunately they don't get to see eachother very often. We live about 30 mins. apart. But, they are dying to get together and make necklaces from the kit that Amy gave Caitlin.

This is Caitlins close friend Maliah. Maliah and Caitlin love to hang out and just have fun together. She got her a talking animal. Caitlin loves it.

This is Caitlins friend Emily from school. She got Caitlin the Little Pet Shop toys. Caitlin loves those.

This is Ryann, Rori, and Sophia Russell. They live across the street. I actually grew up with their mom Heidi (Chapman). It is fun to have them close too. They got her the infamous Hannah Montana backpack & hat. They also got her her very own make-up. Love it!!

This is Katherine and Claudia. They are cousins. They got Caitlin a bratz chair. Not only does she love it but so does Davis.

Now your probably wondering why I have a picture of Davis on this blog. Well, he was 'helping' me make cupcakes for the party. He's a great help. I didn't have to make as many cupcakes!

This is Davis 'helping' me make the cupcakes. We had lots of fun. I think he had the most fun!!