Preference Dance 2013

Jake was asked clear back in October and he didn't want to make the answering very simple... Of course he had plenty of time. So the week before Halloween every night was filled with a different, unique way he could send clues to answer his date.  After about 5 different attempts...she finally figured out the answer. It was a big YES!

Did Alli really get DQ'd at the last swim meet?
Look closer...She really thought she was, until she read the complete yellow ticket.  Then her face changed from worry to a big smile! She got the answer to the dance she was hoping for: YES!

Here is Alli just before heading out to get her date:

She looked just gorgeous!

We found this dress one day while we were out shopping just for fun.  It fit Alli perfectly and really took all the pressure off finding one just before the dance.

Boots! Yes! What a great idea...especially in this weather!

 

Next, Savanah came to pick up Jake.  

They looked stunning together! 

A few pics together later that night:

Definitely very good times!

she just couldn't stop laughing...

My brave girl getting oral surgery - giggled and giggled 'til she fell asleep.

Good News - Pointe Shoes, Finally

Madi just got the word this weekend that she could get her first pair of pointe shoes. Her ballet teacher called Saturday night and when I told Madi the news, she was beyond thrilled.  It was a special conversation for me with Miss Melissa to realize how long Madi has been waiting and how hard she has been working in class. The rewards for me surfaced again when I shared the news with Madi later that night as she expressed a bright smile of joy and tears at the same time.  The first thing Madi said was..."I have saved my own money to pay for them; I have a 100 dollars." Madi is a very thoughtful, organized and hard working girl.  She senses the desires of her teachers and tries hard to please them. I had no idea that Madi had been saving for these. I am so impressed that she values the time and money it takes to excel in dance.  I am so proud of her accomplishment.

Nacho Libre Party!

The luchador pinata is hung and ready...nicknamed "Ramses"...Derek really went over and above filling him with loads of candy this year.

The nacho makings are waiting in the kitchen...where are the chips?

Sara shows off the fantastic nacho mask Madi borrowed from Grandma's house!

The most delicious dessert - Tres Leche Cake - made by Stephanie.  

Chancho: "I think your food is good."

 Aimee and Alli - Best Friends

Moving on to the most entertaining part of the

whole evening...

We start out with the youngest to oldest in trying to break the pinata. Ten kids (ages 4-14) got a chance to swing at Ramses before he was completely demolished.

Sara gives a good wack and knocks off his right foot...

Hmmm, I really wonder who is really having the most fun here?

Madi jumps up and gives Ramses a great wack on the head.

 Sara makes her way down the stairs to grab any stray candy...

Pinata pieces flying every way and the rest of the candy is coming out of the head. I think this Ramses is finished!

The kids scramble to get their fair share of final goodies...

Pinata breakage - a huge success!

Now let's go downstairs and watch some Nachoooooo...

The Most Stylin' Snowman in the Neighborhood

We can't take credit for this, but every day as we drive by it...we feel happy.  She is decked out hawaiian style- I especially love the tiki torches, ukelele and the gecko climbing up the side.

Surprise visit from longtime Friends!

We were lucky enough to get a few hours with our awesome friends from AZ - THE PETERMANS!  Our time together was short as they were just passing through, but we will take whatever time we can get.  After visiting in our home, we made a stop over to their favorite restaurant - Cafe Rio - as they were heading out of town. So happy that we are along their path as they make their way to Idaho. What a wonderful surprise to end a very snowing day. 

Alli and little Scarlett (she is too cute!)

Good Friends - Hana and Alli

Snow Cave III

It starts again with massive amounts of snow fall. Everyone was thrilled because there was plenty of snow for Christmas break. Dad helped to pile all the snow in the perfect spot and then the girls started packing and shoveling out a doorway.

Thank goodness Dad stuck around to offer extra help with an even a bigger shovel.

A little slacking on the job? Sara and Bri enjoying icicles while Madi shovels out the inside.

Oh, I love this Man!

It looks like they might need the help of an expert snow caver.  Jake comes to the rescue and he and Derek use the good old tarp trick to pull out large amounts of snow.

This must be working...there's more than half of Jake's body inside.

Cute Friends!

The girls take their chance for a little sledding on the side. Boogie boards work pretty good in the snow... I think?

Later that night while we were at the Barker's house, Kayli snuck by and tried it out.  Nice!

She fits pretty good in there...

Three kings dinner on the REAL three kings day.

Today... is really Three Kings Day...El Dia Del Los Reyes Magos. Let the celebration begin! As the children have grown, we have expanded our tables to be even bigger this year.

Here is the 20 and under table...It's hard to believe that 5 of these people will be heading out on missions sometime during the next 8 months.  

My friend, Lisa is so very creative...where does she find all this stuff to decorate with and even the sparkling cider bottles?

The 21 and older table - the amazing cooks, chefs and best dish washers around.

Kayli has experienced this celebration many times, but this was a first for Chris. They were the helpers who filled all the shoes with treats.

As tradition goes, Madi found the surprise foil in her roll this year. She was given a three kings box of chocolates all to herself.  Now, she is to make a special treat to deliver in April to each of the families that are here tonight.  We will have to get busy thinking of what to do for them.

All the kids are so good about taking turns serving and clearing dishes.

I like that my kids will grow up celebrating three kings day.  It was just as wonderful this year as in years past.  I love that we are all winding down from the holidays...the pressure is off... and we can just enjoy visiting with great friends.

Even though the temperature was only 7 degrees we loved going out and launching the 3 lanterns to represent 3 kings.  These lanterns traveled up, up into the night sky...until they disappeared.  It was an awesome sight.

The teenagers enjoy a mini-concert together to finish off the night.

Happy Three Kings Day!