Tucson after Christmas

The day after Christmas we headed to Tucson to go visit Grandpa Richie and Grandma Junie. With the kids getting older it just seems harder and harder to get away anymore. It was nice to go hang out with them even though it was just one day.

Look there is snow and that there mountain!

I love the mountain views as we drive in. They are just beautiful.

Almost there kiddos!

Check out Matt's concentration even with me annoying him

Grandpa Richie got a Mr. Bill doll...Oooohhh Nooooo!!!!

Heading in to unwrap gifts

Sam is playing Santa

Grandma Junie checking to make sure she got everything

Grandpa doing what he does best:)

On a side note, we did attend other Christmas parties and such but my camera never seemed to go with us. This holiday season was busy but loads of fun. I am sure going to miss all this fun and going back to the real world...ho hum.

Christmas

Christmas Eve we did our family tradition of going to look at Christmas lights and to eat at the Village Inn. Sam was very concerned that we would not be home in time to get into bed before Santa arrived informed me he was hungry at 1:30 in the afternoon. After much convincing he finally decided to go ahead with our normal plans for Christmas Eve. After coming home the kids got to open their traditional present of new PJ's. Then a plate for Santa was made and it was off to bed!

I did threaten the kids that they were not allowed up before 7 and they came in to wake me shortly after 7. They were so excited to see what Santa had left. All the kids got a brand new bike and they were so excited. We opened presents and made a big breakfast. After that we hung around for awhile and then went off to my Mom's house for dinner. Christmas was very nice this year. We got to relax and really enjoy each others company and remember the real reason of celebrating CHRISTmas!

Sam finally got Lego Architecture! Hurray!!

Opening of the NY Bucko gift. Guitar Hero World Tour!

Riley was so happy to not get just one Shaman but two!

Lego Empire State Building

Swoon!! Kristina got Edward for Christmas:)

We of course had to have the Yule Log

Cool new bikes

Our groovy new night light. Do you love it?!

Our house at night

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

This is how we decorate

This is how we decorate Bucko style:) Matt needs his big giant Santa hat to get in the mood. My new Merry Christmas blocks courtesy of Amy! Thanks Amy you ROCK!!
Almost done with the tree

Can you tell that Sam was here?

Finished product...ahhhhh! We love our tree!

I didn't take as many pictures as normal. (You are probably doing the happy dance with that news.) Take my word that the house looked great.

Neighborhood Christmas Party

This year our neighborhood had it's first annual Christmas party. They had a band, some face painting (courtesy of Kristina), fun crafts, firetrucks, and SANTA!!! It was a warm day and lots of people turned out. The kids seemed to have fun:)

Check out the Sexy Wrangler:)

line for face painting. Hurry Kristina!!

Riley was off having fun with her friends so only Sam got to see Santa. By the time Kristina was done with face painting everything was closed up. Bummer!

Thanksgiving

Wow! I can't believe I haven't updated for quite some time on here. I guess with the holidays I was having loads of fun to be posting:) I'll start of with Thanksgiving. Matt cooked an AWESOME meal! Thanks dear. We had family over and enjoy the day eating and visiting. We told Kristina to take pictures and here are a couple. Not much of the food spread but I'm sure you know what a Thanksgiving meal looks like.

Here is what is left of the turkey.

Some family shots
more family shots

What is left of dessert

Halloween!

We started off our Halloween fun at the costume parade at Sam and Riley's school on Friday. (sorry the pics are totally out of order and I'm way too tired to fix them.) We had a ward trunk or treat on Friday which Kristina attended but Matt and I had to do some other errands we just didn't have time to get to the rest of the week. Then on Sat. we let the festivities began. We carved pumpkins and played outside. It was an amazing beautiful day! The kiddos got dressed up and off they went trick or treating! We LOVE Halloween at our house. Hope you all had a grand day!

Kristina before the trunk or treat

Hermoine Riley. I know it is lame at school but did get better for the actual trick or treating.
Karate Kid Sam

The Pumpkin and her studly AquaBat!

What a crew!

Good looking group!

I love these kids

Kristina's creative picture taking skills

Decorations

Matt and his HOT DOG pumpkin

Sam and his pumpkin

Riley and her pumpkin

Kristina and her pumpkin

Me, my chins, and Mickey!

Cheese

another cheese

Aren't we hot?!

Craving the pumpkins