Our Latest Craze

When Steve bought me Just Dance 4 for my birthday, I don't think he knew the firestorm he was gonna start in our house.  Naturally I was addicted immediately, but it didn't take long for the girls to fall in love too (as well as any guests who visit).  Brooklynn has gotten really good (even beating Steve a couple times).  After Brooklynn started showing off her seductive moves we had to kabosh some of the songs and limit the amount of time dancing.

Even though I am the grand champ of the family, I see some great dancers in our future.  

 Magra and Papa even getting in on the action

 Brett and Cenee killing it!

Go Broncos!

Steve was pretty ecstatic to get a text from mom saying she had scored some Broncos tickets to the last regular season game, but maybe a little reluctant to know he had to take me.  I mean, I have become an avid Broncos fan, but my tolerance for cold weather is still pathetic!  When they forecasted windy, cold temps I knew I needed to shut up and enjoy the game and atmosphere.  I hadn't been to a game in a few years, and I forgot how amazing it is, especially the comradery of the fans.  Since the playoff seeding was at stake we knew we were in for a thrilling game and a trouncing of the Chiefs.

We met our favorite Broncos fans, Jan and Forney, for lunch at the hotel next to the stadium.  The place was full of fans cheering on Indianapolis, because if they won we would have a chance at the #1 AFC seed.

 Getting ready to go in after bundling up in many layers!

 Getting ready.....

The game was a blast and actually not too miserable.  Luckily we were in the corner and blocked from the wind gusts.  The Broncos won 38-3, and we clinched the #1 seed, which meant a bye weekend.  How would we function not being to watch our team on Sunday?  Well.....then we all know what happened the next weekend.  We won't talk about that!  Maybe next year.......

Casa Bonita

We've been wanting to take the girls to the infamous ever-popular Casa Bonita for some time now.  We went when Brooklynn was much younger and Chandler was a baby, so we thought they'd enjoy it even more now.  Of course the food is nothing to brag about, but the entertainment is always a hit.  Since Carrie and Josh were in town, the whole family was down for some cliff diving fun.

After our dinner of unlimited chicken tacos and never-ending sopaipillas we started at Blackbeard's cave.  The girls were terrified.....oops!  After they recouped we explored all Casa Bonita has to offer - an outdated arcade, a puppet show, and even a beatdown of the pinata by Brooklynn.

Do we look excited or what?

Magra and Papa

Even Adaley loves this place!

Two happy chicks

And even Zach couldn't resist a little Casa Bonita

Brooklynn smashing the pinata!

A fun time was had by all!  The girls still talk about the night at "Casa Manea" and their extreme dislike for the gorilla.  We'll be back soon and hopefully we can all enjoy the cave!

More Festivities

After our busy morning we packed up and headed south to A-town to celebrate with my family.  We stuffed ourselves with appetizers while the kids played together ,before opening our gifts.  We hadn't seen Wes, Jaime, and Braelynn in forever, so it was nice to get the kids reacquainted and let them trash someone else's house.

All the kids - so tough to get them all to look and smile....oh well!

Braelynn & Brooklynn lovin' each other

Opening gifts

Our beautiful niece, Kenz (she's getting so old)

Playing so well

Wes and Adaley

When we got home to our trashed house we were finally able to breathe a little and finally relax.  Then came the job of finding places for all the new toys.  Apparently you can never have too many toys!

Waiting for Santa......

After getting home from Steve's family's late, we were in a rush to get everything done for the big night.  The girls crashed on the way home, so we were in charge of getting the milk and cookies out for the big guy!  Then it was time to get all the gifts out and ready - not as easy as when you're a parent (and have to be extra careful as the kids get older).

We woke up Christmas morning at our usual 7:30 wake-up call.  I'm guessing as the kids get older they'll be too anxious to sleep in at all.  We opened stockings first - probably my favorite part.

Chandler finally got her Spiderman

Brooklynn checking out her loot as well

Santa even filled Adaley's stocking

Then it was on to gifts.  The girls were so excited and so sweet to each other.  Since they're so close in age and have the same interests Santa gave lots of combo gifts, but they did a wonderful job sharing and switching turns opening them.

Who needs gifts when you have wrapping paper?

The girls looking for the pickle ornament.  Whoever finds it first gets an extra gift.  Daddy hid it so well he couldn't even find it.  Oops!

Then onto our Christmas tradition - decorating homemade doughnuts with frosting and lots of sprinkles!  Chandler primarily just ate the sprinkles and licked the frosting.  They were yummy!

What a great, exhausting morning!  I absolutely love Christmas morning, and there's nothing better than having a fabulous family of girls and Steve to share it with.  Some of our best memories as a family will be those made on Christmas morning.

We're on the Nice List Apparently

We spent Christmas Eve at the Weslings as usual.  It was a night filled with yummy food, family, and lots to be thankful for.  The girls were excited to finally get this Christmas celebration going after months of anticipation.

 

We made sure to get pics before the letdown of the food and presents, and they did pretty good!

Not a fan of having sis hold her

Posing with Magra and Papa

After dinner our moody Chandler (who didn't nap) just crashed on my lap.  This was my "what's up now....got her to sleep" pose)

On to presents..........Adaley got lots of help from her sisters

More books!

Steve and Carrie looking intently at the gifts



So sweet!

Doesn't know what she's in for!

And she's back.........candy to perk her up

Best present

And we out!  Goin' home to get ready for Santa

Crazy Elf Antics

This year we finally got it together and purchased our "Elf on the Shelf."  For years I've heard parents rave about the elf and how well-behaved the kids are after you buy one.  For those of you who haven't heard of them (or have been living in a box), it's an overpriced book and elf you buy.  The book explains the story (how the elf flies back to the North Pole nightly to update Santa on your "list" status) and then you name the elf.  We named ours "Noel". 

After explaining the elf Brooklynn had tears streaming down her face.  She was worried that Chandler would be on the naughty list now that there was "proof" someone was watching.  Our first reaction - "Damn thing is gonna work on the wrong kid."  Eventually Chandler bought into the elf, and we all had a good time with her.  The kids were sad to see her go on Christmas.

Steve and I alternated the placement of Noel nightly - making a friendly competition out of it.  The girls raced to find her each morning and see what she was up to the night before.  I think I won, but I did cheat a little.  Thank you Pinterest!

Cruising (the night before she was hitting the booze but I forgot to get a pic)

Maybe a little creepy.......

Crazy little elf........

*I missed the other days, but we'll have to up the ante next year!

Skydiving......sort of

Steve surprised me with simulated skydiving for my birthday.  I was a little nervous after taking our pre-flight class (even though there was a large group of adolescent boys before us).  The Deegans joined us, but they hadn't done it before either.  Even though I was timid and tense (as the instructor put it), I had a great time.  Luckily they split your time into 2 rounds, so you watch yourself and learn from your mistakes after the first round, and then improve the 2nd time.  

Ready to go (the boys rockin' the pinks and purples)

 In the waiting tank

 My flight

 Steve the pro

 Super Zach

 Still alive but a little windblown

 Dinner afterwards at our favorite Ali Baba

 My actual birthday was a low-key day with the family rocking out to my new Wii game - Just Dance 4.  We all had a great time jamming.  Even though the mid-30s are looming, I feel great - skydiving, dancing like a tween, and even ran at the gym.  Damn 30s won't slow me down!