Farewell 2010!

Dear 2010,

I feel like we kicked off this past year on a bad note. As soon as you started, life as I knew it started to change drastically. Even though you began as a year of uncertainty and stress, you have been one of the most powerful and strengthening years of my life. You have taught me much. You have forced me to dig deep and be stronger then I ever thought possible. You have made my family grow and rely on one another. You have taught me to appreciate the journey, and the loved ones you meet along the way. You have reminded me how blessed I really am. You have uprooted me and pushed me to my limits. You have tested my faith, and reminded me about the things that really matter most in life. I was quick to hate you at first but have now seen many of the good things that you had in store for us. We had our highs and lows. We've made some incredible memories. I won't ever forget you, but I can't lie...I'm kind of glad to see you go. ☺

SO LONG 2010.....WELCOME 2011!

Sincerely,

Stac

Sledding

We woke up this morning to a few fresh inches of snow and I decided we needed to get outside and enjoy it because negative temps are headed our way!

We called Dad and had him come home on his lunch break to put together the boys NEW snowmobile sled. (A Christmas gift from Grandma Rock!) Quick side note....can I just say how fabulous that it only takes a few minutes for Nate to come home mid day? I ♥ it!

Then we headed over to the Ucon hill to give her a ride!

 THEN the wind started picking up. We're not talking about a little breeze.....we talking like 35-40 mph gusts. Then the sleds started pulling a Santa on us...if you weren't holding on to them, they would just FLY away!
Here is a picture of Dallin retrieving one that got away!

Some peoples sleds were literally blowing off into the sunset or over onto the freeway. Yikes. Can you imagine driving along on the freeway and then suddenly smacking into a random SLED blowing by. So dangerous yet a little bit funny at the same time.

 Landon took a tumble, bruised his check and had to go back into the car. He calmed down as soon as I said we would stop and get some hot cocoa on the way home.

 It was a FUN and FREEZING day!

Christmas!

This year we went on down to UT to spend Christmas with the Starnes clan. What fun! We had such a great time seeing everyone...staying up late, playing hard, and eating tons!

On Thursday we all went up to Heber City and rode on the Polar Express! The kids and cousins had matching jammies with their names on them. We had fun singing carols, eating cookies and hot cocoa, and visiting Santa and Mrs. Clause at the North Pole!

The craziest thing happened while we were waiting to get on the train. We looked over and my dear friend MARCY was standing there with her entire family as well! We were on the same train! What are the odds of that??

On Christmas Eve, we went down to Provo to visit Uncle Clay because he is a firefighter and he didn't get the day off. The kids LOVED seeing where Uncle Clay worked..especially all of the equipment and trucks. We missed Clay during Christmas Eve but are SO proud of him and the sacrifices he makes to help protect others!  

Later that night we had a huge FEAST! Prime rib, twice baked potatoes, green beans, homemade rolls, and more! YUM!

And then we got the kids all dressed up for the nativity. Grandma Lee Lee has a bunch of authentic attire from Jerusalem. It is always so sweet (and hilarious) seeing the kids act out the birth of Christ.

Baby Maci played both baby Jesus (who kept trying to crawl out of the manger) and the little angel. She pretty much stole the show! ☺

In the morning it was PRESENT time!!

We had an absolutely WONDERFUL Christmas! I am so grateful for this time of year where we can think about the birth of the Savior. I am also so grateful for my family...and for the FUN and special memories we make together!! Merry Christmas!

Shake your groove thang!

Not only did Landon have the time of his life dancing at his Uncle's wedding reception, but he WAS the entertainment of the night! I had NO idea this kid had such sweet moves!

UGLY Sweater Party!!!

This weekend we headed over to Boise for James and Sierra's wedding reception. More to come on that soon! While we were there our Boise friends decided to throw another UGLY SWEATER party! YeeHaw!

The Haskells hosted the seriously HILARIOUS night. Yummy food, fun games, and great friends. It was such a blast. It was so refreshing and fun to see everyone!

The first game we played was a little something I made up. I've been laughing about this game for DAYS...hoping it would go over as well as I had imagined. I started by having everyone break up into teams. Each team was given 8 balloons and a pair of nylons. The first team to blow up their balloons, stuff them into the legs of the nylons and shove the nylons over their head and yell RUDOLF was the winner! It was AB-SOL-UTELY hilarious. If you need a quick family game for the holidays I would recommend this for a great laugh!!

 We also played the "Price is Right" with some extremely strange and RANDOM Christmas gift ideas. For those DIFFICULT people to shop for on your Christmas list. I won't list the items here....we'll just leave those suggestions for those who were at the party. hehe.

We also had a white elephant gift exchange. Gotta love the white elephant gifts.......a foot measuring thing (like from Payless), a red beard, some big red undies, a worm that lights up, and who wouldn't want a nice frame or mug with a picture of Nate and I with green whipped cream all over our faces from a St. Patty's/Birthday party we went to last year? Sweet.

I love you friends! Thanks for a side-splitting and memorable night!

Parker is 6!

My Parker bear is 6 years old today! It is funny how every Christmas has been even more special to me because I have Mr. Parker in my life. He really was the BEST Christmas present I've ever received.....even with his huge attitude, over the top stubbornness and his mischievous ways!  I wouldn't trade him for the most well behaved kid in the world...no way! ☺

Parker wanted a skateboarding birthday party this year. It is hard to come up with skateboarding games and activities when it is 29 degrees out and the ground is covered in snow. We did our best though! Grandma and Grandpa Starnes came up for the birthday which was so great! I needed help...especially since ALL 8 of the boys came who were invited! I didn't think that ALL of them would come! That is a LOT of boys!

We designed (or colored with permanent marker) our own skateboards, played skateboard bingo and played musical squares.

Behold the cake that took Parker and I all DAY to finish. After we finished Dallin walked in and said, "What is that thing mom?" Thanks kid.

Parks absolutely LOVED his new digital camera. He was in his bed tonight taking pictures of the ceiling and the light fixture. Thanks again Grandpa Ric and Grandma Lee Lee!

To top off an already awesome day, Grandma and Grandpa brought us our Christmas present: An air hockey and ping pong table! Woo Hoo! I know 3 boys who are going to L.O.V.E. having this to keep them busy during the cold winter! And I also know a couple of overly competitive parents who will get use out of it as well! You're going down Nate!

Parker's Favorites at 6:

Favorite toys: Bey Blade, mini skateboards, legos, matchbox cars, crayons and markers

Favorite Movies: Home Alone, The Incredibles, Bill Nye the Science Guy Spongebob movies. He absolutely LOVES to watch Billy the Exterminator which makes me laugh and laugh. He always wants me to pop popcorn and watch spiders. cockroaches and snakes get killed. GROSS!

Favorite Games: Sorry, Spoons, Store, Go Fish, Old Maid

Favorite Foods: Swedish pancakes, pizza, alfredo noodles, garlic bread, mac and cheese.

Joys: Playing with friends, going to dollar store to pick anything he wants, playing outside, playing basketball, teasing the cat, going to visit his Grandparents, going on dates with his mom. ☺

I love you Parks. Even though we've had lots of big changes since your last birthday I appreciate how positive you have been thorough out all of it.  I love that you say funny things and always make us laugh. I love how you will try to help me cook every chance you get. You are so athletic and I absolutely ADORE going to cheer you on at your basketball games. Last game you scored 17 points, and even made a 3 pointer. What 6 year old can do that? You amaze me! I love that you are a good brother and how you stand up for your brothers. I love that you are stubborn....like mother like son. Happy Birthday buddy! I sure love you.