New Year's Eve at the Ranch

We spent New Year's Eve at the Lucky Ladner Ranch. What a great time we all had! The kids enjoyed playing, running, and generally being together whether it was snowball fights, or Wii Rockband, or watching a movie. The adults enjoyed good conversation and a few drinks from the bar.

Chrissy & Chris grooving to the music!

Jay, Conner and Garret in a serious battle on the Xbox!

Katie and Maya...hottub in the snow?

Jimmy on the pedal, Cyndie on drums, Katie on guitar, and Jackie on vocals. Some serious Rockband wannabes... they only got booed off the stage twice before finishing a great set here.

A visit from a large Elf for Hawkman.

Katie took a little nap in the motorhome on the way home. I guess staying up until midnight was pretty late for her!

A visit with friends

Our kids really enjoy visiting their cousins and friends. If we go anywhere... they always ask if they are coming too. We spent a great evening at the Bays exchanging gifts, food and laughter.

The kids were trying out Kendra's new gift, Guitar Hero World Tour (and yes, the big people tried it out too!). They enjoyed exchanging gifts with each other and having a jam session.

A visit with Santa (sort of...)

Every year without fail since Conner was born... I have trekked the kid(s) to the Supermall to visit Santa and have a photo. Last year we stood in line for 1.5 hours. This year, we tried. The weather did not cooperate and even though we did get there, Santa was napping. So, here is the photo I got near Santa's chair. The lovely elves would not even let us sit in the chair for the photo.

And... to top it all off, I bumped Katie in the head with my elbow and she cried the whole time. We were a bit unprepared with wardrobe issues too. Anyway, maybe next year will be better.

Christmas at Home!

This year we stayed at home on Christmas day. My Dad came over to visit us for the week also. The kids had been sleeping late ALL week. But Christmas morning they got up at 7:00 am. (not too early I realize but not their usual 8:30 am, sigh!) I did make them stop for a few photos along the way. Here they are waiting at the top of the stairs...

Here are the stockings Santa stuffed with care.

Here is the Wii Santa left for everyone!

Jack even got a new bed and a stuffed duck which he loves.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went to Grandma and Grandpa Gill's house. Grandma always complains her house is too small but I think we all like it that way. The food was delicious: Prime rib, potatoes and all the trimmings! We always enjoy celebrating the holiday with friends and family.

Katie and her Auntie Audrey

Tracy the Elf

Grandma & Chip

Snow Fun!

The boys enjoyed visiting Tyler and Jay one day during break. They made a large snow fort. They claim they could ALL climb into this. Christmas time with snow was a big highlight at our house.

Church Christmas Program

We ventured out on Dec. 21st after the big snow storm to church. The kids were supposed to all be in the Christmas Pageant. Well...not too many people made it to church that day, so there was a lot of last minute changes and "punting" ... if you will. Katie was an angel. She did not have a speaking part, but she did sing several songs. Garret was a "kid" and had parts to say. At the last minute they gave him several more things to say in front of the crowd of people. Alas... our boy is not much for acting/performing and started to cry when it was his turn to go up front. So, mom to the rescue, and he sat with us while big brother said his parts. Conner had many speaking parts, mostly because he can read and showed up! He did a great job. Of course, I forgot my camera, so this is from someone else.

Katie is on the far left in this photo. On a side note... the cow was quite hilarious. He ran around the whole time and was quite entertaining!