Party Time

Quinn loves playing with this new Nativity.

Since we won't let him play with this one.

The stylish hairdo everybody adores (which is actually just 'bedhead'), is now gone.  

His hair was seriously getting too long!

His one and only mo-hawk.

Visiting Santa has never been high on our priority list.
 Pretty sure this was Elsie's first time to sit on the jolly fellow's lap.
Quinn wasn't remotely interested.

All Anna asked for was a silver bell from Prancer.  I think she's read Polar Express recently.

The month of December - always a party.

Tanner started cello lessons last month and did a great job playing in a recent recital.
He's been inspired by Steven Sharp Nelson!

Brinley's 6th grade Orchestra concert (second row).  

The elementary school Christmas program with Anna and Jantzen.

Jantzen has been very diligent in practicing his recorder for this big performance.

And now it's Party Time!

My kids like to open their presents before school in the wee hours of the morning.

 He asked for waffles, sausage and eggs for his birthday breakfast.

(He went to lunch with Aaron at Costa Vida the day before - due to a funeral).

We decided to let our December birthday kids have parties this year.  

(So glad we'll be "free" for the next few years!)

( Tanner is friends with the tallest and shortest in his 8th grade class.)

Tanner planned and executed every detail imaginable!
We grilled hamburgers & hotdogs and all that would accompany such a meal and then played a few hilarious games.  The boys were able to go incognito to deliver our 12 Days of Christmas gift to a family nearby before watching a movie on the 'big screen' complete with popcorn, candy, and drinks.

They all had a fabulous time and it was actually fun for ME this time around! 

Isaac, Andrew, David, Jacob, Tim and Tanner

Happy 14th Birthday, Tanner!


And the next morning....

It was Anna's turn to open presents!

Happy 8th Birthday to Anna!

Then it was Party Time once again...

Manicures at the local beauty college for her birthday party.

She has been dreaming of this moment for weeks...

Lots of laughter and lots of fun!

Anna would have invited twice as many girls if I had not set a limit.  

She has a huge heart and is a friend to all!

The girls frosted their own cupcakes.
The nails took longer than anticipated but Anna was determined to squeeze in one game before taking everybody home.

Aaron takes the kids out for breakfast/lunch on their birthdays each year except when they turn 8, 12 and 16.  Then Mom comes along and we have dinner together.

She picked the place - Pizza Pie Cafe.

Santa was there - and even knew her name:)

Since the owners (our neighbors) happened to be there while we were, Matt gave Anna a tour of the kitchen.  Jane brought out a mini-monster cookie dessert for the special occasion!  Yum.
  

It was a fabulous 8th birthday for Anna.