Christmas Eve at the Christensen's

This year we had the chance to go to 2 parties on Christmas Eve. Peterson party was held earlier in the afternoon, and that night we headed over to Christensen's house. Again, we ate wonderful food, I wish I would have taken a photo of all they goodness that was ours for the taking! DELICIOUS! After eating tons, Lori says okay, we are going to play the paper bag game. Now if you have never played this game, it is ALOT harder than you would think!

HOW TO PLAY:

Place a paper bag on the floor

Hands have to be behind your back & one foot off the ground

All players must pick up the paper bag with thier mouth

Everyone gets 3 tries, if you don't make it you are no longer playing

Once everyone has sucessfully picked it up, you cut a portion of the bag off

Sounds easy enough, but I promise...MUCH HARDER THAN YOU THINK!

This game tends to hurt more then next day then it does while playing! HA! HA!

The laughs are everywhere! All I could think about while playing was...I must look ridiculous!

Here's Libby's 1st try

Caleb's turn...

Craig's turn...this was taken after the first round...the bag is shorter
Zach in the first round...

Me in all my loveliness in the 2nd round...

It is very funny to watch. We only made it a couple of rounds, we were all full from eating so much and the combination of the two wasn't working so great! If you can believe this I have seen this game played where only the bottom of the paper sack was left and people were still able to pick it up. CRAZY! Seriously, it is a very fun game, give it a try! But don't say I didn't warn you!

Randomly, I ended up winning the game! It came down to 4 people still in and we went ahead and picked numbers to see who won, it was my lucky day! I won the iTunes card! Funny thing is I don't even have an iPod! So my children were really nice to me and of course I let them use it!

One last shot from the 2nd floor of their house. Everyone there, playing Pictionary!
Thanks for a fun party Christensen's!

Christmas Eve Peterson Party

This photo pretty much sums up what Christmas Eve is all about. Being surrounded by family. Once again the Peterson Family Party was held at our home. It is always wonderful to be with family. We had a great talent show, yummy food, great laughs, and fun presents. I must say that a nice working piano really kicked up the talent show. So much fun! As the family gets bigger and older, I am always amazed while spending time with them how blessed we are to have each other. It was a wonderful party!

*panoramic photo of everyone in the family room*

*cute girls in Santa hats*

*Zach sporting his hat*
*Grammy, Caleb & Libby singing Silver Bells*

*Libby playing Silent Night on the piano*
*Brit (with my help) singing I'm Getting Nuttin' For Christmas, which he really can sing all the words and really well for a 2 year old, but of course he chose not to sing for the family. So sad, cause it is DARLING!*

Another great year to celebrate Christmas, being with the ones you love and enjoying every minute of it!

Merry Christmas 2011

He's Permitted!

Caleb got his permit in October. He could have gotten it last April but thought he should read the book before hand. It didn't take him 6 months to read it, we were just so busy that it kept being pushed back. Finally, without even really reading the book we went one afternoon on a whim. He had to take the test 2 times, doing pretty badly the first time and then coming to the car to take the practice test on my phone a few times then returning to pass with only missing 3.

It was rush hour when we left the DMV and he was begging to drive home. I couldn't let him, as a mom, I just was sort of freaking out! However, when we got closer to home, I pulled over and let him drive the back way home. I know, I am really nice right? He has had lots of practice since then, and only one time scared the TAR out of me! Let's just say I saw the lives of all my kids, my husband and myself flash before me eyes...seriously 15 seconds of TERROR on the freeway! But he will be a good driver. Maybe it's just the fact that I can't believe that he is old enough to be driving. I know, I know, I need to face the facts, my boy is growing up!

Caleb driving for the first (legitimate) time 11-11-11

Temple Square

The Friday before Christmas we got all bundled up and headed up to Temple Square to see the lights. This has become a tradition for us along with going to dinner at Sizzler in SLC. Its always fun to see the beauty of Temple Square sparkling with millions of christmas lights. Photos of our night below...

We parked in the new City Creek parking lot, which proved to be a trial...you see they lock the doors early and we had to pound on the doors until a janitor would open the doors so we could get back to our car. On the search for the car!

Caleb and Zach think they had finally found it!

A quick photo of my cute clan!

Someone is pretty excited! So cute!

Cute, traditional photo of all of us inside the Tabernacle. (maybe I should have taken my hat off, I really do have eyes!)

Brit and I waiting for the rest of the family to come out of the Assembly Hall

A family photo surrounded by the awesome lighted trees.

Dinner at Sizzler... not sure what Lib is doing.

The other half of the family at Sizzler

There is nothing I love more than spending time with these guys! I love Christmas traditions both small and large! Until next year!

Zach's Football Season

This year Zach's team did great! They made it to the playoff's. The team was lucky enough to have some very talented parents who were willing to take photos of every game. Check out Zach's season in photos:

Zach #1 and Stockton (his cousin) #5

Zach blocking

Zach in action

Randomly our team had two #1's on it. I was grateful for Zach's yellow mouth piece because it was one way to help tell them apart.

Until the last few games when Stockton gave Zach a new mouth piece which he called his Binkie...love the pink!

Zach running onto the field after 1/2 time.

Zach tackling someone

Zach making his way through the parent tunnel after a win

Zach blocking

Listening to a half time pep talk

More blocking...

and more blocking....

and, not sure what is going on in this one!

Awaiting kick off

Looking for a tackle

after a tackle

Probably my favorite photo of them all! Look how cute this kid is!

Another great year of football...until next year!!

GO VIKINGS!

Caleb Football

Caleb's Sophmore Football Season

Caleb had a great season in football this year. He started as Sophmore Quarterback and started on Varsity as Guard on the Punt Team. He was so excited to play Varsity his Sophmore year. One week he was moved up to JV starting QB. All great experiences. He loved it. It was fun for Craig and I to be in the stands watching him improve. The last few games of the season he played QB, Middle Linebacker (defense) and punted. He rarely came off the field. He is a good player, and he realized there is always room for improvement. His heart is in it. And that is all that matters.

I had to grow thick skin this year as the mom of the QB. It is a hard position, if we win all is well, and if we loose or if the team is struggling many comments are made. It was sometimes hard to hear people yelling at my son. I am not sure if I will ever get used to that.

As always I can't wait to see what happens next year. Great Season Caleb!

A couple of photos of my favorite QB! Isn't he cute!

Summer Tea Party

Towards the end of summer Grammy and Papa had a Summer Tea Party for the younger girls. They of course made it perfect for the girls. They had a good time making trail mix, and doing crafts and of course eating outside under the tree. It was a fantastic day for everyone. One thing I learned (well I have always know it but this just reinforced my knowledge) was that my Mom has a wonderful talent for making ordinary things EXTRAORDINARY! She is amazing. It's all about the details. I LOVE IT! She makes everything so special. The girls definately felt it. The best part was after we had everything set up and Dad, Cortney and I went inside to eat while Grammy and the girls stayed outside, just watching the girls interact with their Grammy who they all ADORE! Laughing and just pure love and happiness on all of their faces. I wish I would have taken a picture of that. Thanks mom for making another day EXTRAORDINARY!

(just a little side note: Liberty is totally picking up on the fun things her Grammy does. It isn't odd for me to come to the dinner table that has been set by Lib with name cards, small dishes with little treats at each place setting, goblets, and random flowers as a center pieces. I must say that I LOVE THIS!)

Liberty showing off her yummy cupcake.

The girls coloring Lady Bugs and puzzles.


Making trail mix

Liberty's turn to mix it.

Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes! YUM!

The tea party food. Seriously how cute is that?

Grammy giving the girls some great advice!

Pinkies UP!

4 cute girls with Grammy & Papa

Thanks Grammy & Papa for another great memory!