New Years Eve Eve Post

Tomorrow is New Years Eve - it is hard to believe that it is almost 2009.

Clint and I both have this week off of work to spend time at home with the kids since they are out on vacation from school. So far we have had some fun family time.

Celina (My Goddaughter) came over Monday and she is staying with us for two days.
We have had lots of fun so far. Yesterday we played....Yes, you guessed it....Rock Band. But we also played the Wii - tennis, bowling, boxing and golf. After the long day of brainless activities I made the kids do their 30 minutes of evening reading and then we ate dinner and watched a movie.

Unfortunately for me I was up all evening with muscle spasms in my back so I did not rest well so today I have practically lounged around all day. I did manage to get the kids bathed and Joe and Celina are about to have yet another "Concert"! Poor Alexis is laying in our bed - for some reason she has been sick to her stomach this afternoon. I think maybe she has picked up a flu bug.

Tomorrow evening Clint, Joe, Alexis (and maybe my Grandmother ) and I will eat a nice dinner at home and wait for the ball to drop. Years past we would let the kids celebrate when the ball dropped on the East coast. They thought it was Midnight (although it was only 10 here) so they celebrated and went to bed a little earlier than it would have been which makes for a much easier New Years day. Unfortunately, they all know how to tell time so we can no longer get them celebrating two hours early ~ So, we will stay up until midnight - give hugs and kisses and hit the sack.

Hailey will be coming over on New Years Day and I am sure it will be a long and exhausting day for Clint and I. When the kids are exhausted from a long night they are cranky and argue and whine all day! So, Clint and I will ring in the New Year as most parents do - putting out fires!

We would not trade it for anything though and we both are truly blessed for the family and friends we do have. We are thankful for all of our blessings in 2008 and look forward to an even better 2009!

One last very important note:

Happy 45th Anniversary (Omi and Opasan) John & Liv Hanes

on Dec. 29th ~ Yesterday

Happy 12th Birthday today Ayanna - December 30th

Please be safe and enjoy ringing in the New Year!

Happy 2009!

Thank You Santa!

Wow -I never would have thought that I would enjoy the XBox 360 - But Santa brought us "Rock Band" for Christmas and our family has done nothing but "rock on" for 2 days. If you haven't had a chance to play Rock Band yet you MUST do it! All of us play - we already had a guitar from Guitar Hero (Joe got it for his birthday) so we now have 2 guitars, drums and a microphone. Alexis likes to sing the best - the drums and guitars take a little more practice. Joe on the other hand is the next Jimmy Hendrix. :0) But truly, I am impressed at his skills.

If you ever get bored please come by and join our band. You never know, the next time you see us we may have Mohawks and dreadlocks!

This picture is of Clint, Joe and Alexis rocking last night!

Merry Christmas

What a wonderful day...
To celebrate the birth of Jesus is an honor for all of us. To be able to celebrate it with our
loved ones makes it even better.

The kids did not sleep very well last night - they were up on and off anxiously awaiting the arrival
of Santa - The rule (given before going to bed on Christmas Eve) was that no one could open any presents
until 6:30am. Joe was sure to be the alarm clock and we were up by 6:30am on the dot!

The collage shows us celebrating throughout the day. Click for a larger view of the fun!



As much as I would like to give you a play by play of the day...I am exhausted and am looking forward to relaxing on the couch for a while. You are all in our thoughts and prayers - We love and miss you all - Far and Near!

Lighting the Advent Wreath

Clint, the kids and I were honored to receive a phone call a few weeks ago from Rev. Trudy at our Church. She had asked if Clint, the kids and I would like to light the candles on the Advent wreath at Church during the Advent Celebration (Over the past 4 weeks). Luckily we were all able to be together this weekend - even more special is that today was the Cantata service. (Celebration with music)The entire Church Choir and Orchestra played the story of the "Creation" and "Jesus' Birth" - it was such an amazing service. Even Alexis sat still and payed attention.

Alexis' School Program

This evening was Alexis' 2nd Grade School Program.
They did Dr. Seuss' "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" - It was adorable
Alexis was a narrator and had some lines all on her own - we were all extremely proud of her.
Here are some pictures of her this evening.
(She is in the Dr. Seuss hat with the white shirt and plaid skirt)

Click on the grid to get a close up view!

The picture of her with the two ladies are her teachers Mrs. Morrison & Mrs. Nelson
The picture of her with the Grinch is with her Cousin Alyssa and her Best Friend Piper
The rest are of her in action on stage!

Visits with Santa

The kids were able to sit on Santa's lap last night at the Children's
Christmas Party for my work. They ice skated and then
ended the evening like this....(pics above)

Advent Festival

This evening was the Advent Festival at our Church. Clint, the Kids and I made an Advent wreath, the kids played games and sang Christmas carols. But the best of all was the kids
had a Christmas Pageant - it was WONDERFUL


Joe and Hailey were the "Stars" of the show. The story was told from the Bethlehem Stars point of View.
Alexis was one of the three kings. My Friends Daughter (and my "almost" daughter), Lizzy, was an Angel. There were so many children dressed up and it was truly
a Joy to watch and see the Children reenact the reason for the season.

(Click on the collage above to see a bigger view)

Our Christmas Family Photos

Today we went for our "Photo Shoot" in the Park

Our Photographer was Omi!

She did a great job on our Family Christmas Pictures -

You will get a copy of one in your Christmas Cards but I had to share some on the blog too!

(I had to post the "Muscles" picture - it cracks me up!)

Work Christmas Party

This evening was my work Christmas party. Usually for Christmas parties the dress code is semi formal - this year it was called Rubies and Denim....Meaning you could wear whatever you wanted. Because I only get to really dress up once a year I was still up for a dressy evening. Besides, it isn't often that I can dress up and go on a date with my Honey!

This is a picture of us before the party - Thankfully, Omi and Opasan watched the kids for us so we could go and have a good time.

A Time For Giving

This evening Alexis' Girl Scout Troop (#410) created "Christmas Socks"
for the Homeless staying in the Comea Shelter in Cheyenne.

Each Girl Created 2 Pair of Christmas Socks
The Socks Contained:
1 Large Bar of Soap
Deodorant
Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hand Sanitizer
Shaving Cream
Razors
Small Bars of Soap
Mouthwash
Tissues
Once they were filled we put 2 sets of 6 Pair into Giant Stockings
(All of the items used were donated by the girls)

This was a great way for the girls to be able to Give
and not just Receive during the Holiday Season.

Click on the Collage below to get a closer look.
Alexis is in the Teal shirt with the Brownie Vest on!