Sierra's 5 years old!

Sierra turned 5 on January 8th. I can't believe what a grown up girl she's become. We had almost a week long celebration for her. Danny had to leave on Tuesday to go up to Lake Shasta for a bass tournament. So we decided to celebrate her bday early. Saturday we all went to Fresno. We had dinner at Macaroni Grill, one of our favorite restaurants. Sierra got special treatment there. Our waitress brought out a yummy chocolate cake with a candle in it for all of us to share and also hot fudge sundaes.


Then Sunday after church and dinner, we surprised Sierra with icecream cake and she opened her present.


Monday we went to Adventure Park for family home evening. They have a pizza buffet, and video games, miniature golf, bumper boats, go-carts, and other things. The kids had fun eating pizza and playing video games.



Tuesday Sierra spent a special day with just Mommy. We went to the park for a little bit. It was too cold and wet though so we didn't stay very long. We also made cupcakes together for her preschool class celebration of her birthday. The cupcakes were complete with pink frosting and sprinkles. And played games together.




Wednesday was her preschool party. All the kids ate the cupcakes, and sang to her. She got a special birthday crown, and got to be the "calendar kid". Which means she got to be the student that goes out with her teacher to let all the parents know that her class is ready to go.


So even though we weren't able to do much on her actual birthday. She did get quite a bit of celebrating on many days. So she didn't mind. lol

Christmas: Yummy Yummy!

We had such good food every night while the family was here. Christmas dinner was a success. Everyone helped with the cooking. Yummy ham, with pineapple chutney, candied yams, green bean casserole, stuffing, potatoes, rolls and a few other things I can't remember. We had a turkey too, but it didn't end up being done in time, so everyone ate it the next day for lunch instead. And for dessert we had fantastic pumpkin pie, and an apple/berry pie.




It was a fun and wonderful Christmas. And we were so happy to have so many of our family there with us. It was our first official hosting of Christmas at our home. And I can honestly say we would be thrilled to do it again.

Hope everyone's Christmas was as wonderful and peaceful. Happy New Year!

Christmas: Santa's Come!!

Christmas Eve night we hung up the traditional sheet in the hallway. So the kids couldn't see when Santa Claus came. This was a tradition the we used to do in my family growing up. I loved it, so we started it for our kids as well.




The next morning was Christmas, and Santa sure did come! Presents galore for everyone. I made digital scrapebooking calendars again for the family. Plus we got them some other gifts. The kids got scads and scads of toys. Dallin was especially excited about the Legos Star Wars video game Danny and I got him. Sierra loved all her Dora games she received as well. Well actually they loved everything!

Christmas: The Games We Play

We had a wonderful time together. Playing games each night. Some with the kids...




....And then after the kids went to bed, we really got crazy.







Sorry Mom, I just had to put them up. lol ;)

Christmas: Sunday Evening Gifts

On Sunday evening we opened some presents with Laurie. She had to leave Christmas Eve day to go back home. So she could spend Christmas with her husband Marty and his family.

She got the kids the cutest gumball machine. And now every morning the kids want their dail gumball.

Christmas: Gingerbread Houses

Dallin and Sierra's Aunties made gingerbread houses with the kids that Sunday evening.






They turned out so cute I think.

Christmas Time: The Fam

We had almost all of Danny's family over for Christmas. His parents, 4 out of 5 of his siblings, a girlfriend, and a dog. Needless to say it was a full house. Everyone arrived the saturday before Christmas. Dad and Mom came from Salinas, Laurie and her dog Jessie from Sacramento, and Erin, Adam, Lindsay and Adam's girlfriend Megan, from Mesa AZ (What a drive!). We were so glad they all made it safely. Even if some of them arrived at 2 in the morning. ;p

Here are some random shots of the family..







And here we are. :)