New Year's Eve.........

New Year's was at my sister Kasey's this year. It wasn't the same because Kristy's kids weren't there to celebrate with us. We sure did miss them. We played some games, ate some yummy food and watched some football. Being the party animals that we are we opened up the bubbly at 9:45pm and did our countdown along with eastern standard time. (I guess old age is catching up with us.) Everyone was in agreement on that so it all worked out perfectly! 

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015! May this year bring us new adventures, happiness, good health and success in whatever we may strive for!

 The Bubbly!

 The family :)

 The party animals!

 The girls!

 Tasting the bubbly for the first time....it was "spicy"

 Layne getting a little carried away!

My boys!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

The Singing Trees.........

By far this was one of favorite things this holiday season. Practically every time we drove home we had to stop and tune our radio to the right station to sync up with the singing trees. They were hilarious and had some great songs they would sing. It was great because it was close by to our neighborhood so we could see them whenever we wanted to. We hope they will continue to have this display in years to come because we truly enjoyed the singing Christmas trees this year!

Christmas........

The Sunday before Christmas I had to go early to church to practice for the choir program so I left it to Layne to take a few pictures of the kids in their "Christmas" outfits for church. Julia is always willing and a great model, Christian on the other hand, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit. So here you have it.

 "He came, he came!" was what we woke up to Christmas morning. After Layne had tried to barricade the hallway with cones and by keeping the coat closet door open so the kids couldn't get by. But leave it to Christian to find a way around it. It was so cute though. So we go up to see what Santa had brought. Christian was in awe as he found the 2 things he had specifically had asked for sitting out waiting for him, a wooden train set and a bike with training wheels. Julia also got a new bike and a beautiful new Elsa dress! It was a wonderful Christmas morning.

The aftermath at our house Christmas morning!

A miracle actually happened Christmas morning too. It snowed the night before. We have had no snow all of December, it's been in the 40's and 50's all month and it finally has snowed! It was so nice to wake up to a white Christmas!

After our family Christmas we headed over to my parents for the day with the rest of the family. Its always fun but as we get bigger and bigger the room seems to be dwindling quickly. The kids usually open up first and then head off to play that way the adults and somewhat take their time and enjoy opening up what we have before the kids ascend and demand we open up 100 things or want something to eat. The rest of the day is filled with food and fashion shows, naps, games, sledding and watching TV. Just being around family is the best part for me. Being all together! I'm glad we all live close by to be able to make that happen!

 All the Handsome Boys!

 All the grand kids

Being A Little Silly!

 

Opening gifts and having a great time. Julia loves her new red bean bag chair. Christian got a new remote control car.

The girls telling Aunt Amy what they received for

 Christmas, with much excitement!!

 A group shot of all the boys, even the 'big' boys. Layne going gansta.

 Grandpa trying out the gansta style with a smile

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Curiosity........

 So we took advantage of my moms birthday gift once again and took all the kids this time to the curiosity museum.What better way to wear out the kids and also give them something to do on Christmas break. They love being able to play together! This place is great. They get to explore, create, climb, learn, get wet and have fun all at the same time.

Flying a plane in the jungle

Centrifugal Force

 Playing in the water

Love the wind tunnel....85 mph

Thanks gma Mott for taking us to the Curiosity Museum! It was a great way to kick off Christmas break!!

A Homecoming.........

What better way to start off the first day of Christmas break than to welcome back some of our favorite people at the airport. We have skyped all year and counted down the days.  Today is the day! We get to welcome home grandma and grandpa Cromwell! We are all so excited! Julia wanted to make a big sign for them. Christian did a good job helping hold up the sign while waiting for gma and gpa to come out of the gate.

The kids couldn't wait to run up to grandpa and give him big hugs and kisses! They couldn't contain themselves. It was a great reunion!!

Before heading home we got to go to dinner with Phil and Sherry. It's fun to hear what they don't have in Italy and the little things they missed while they were gone. Sherry said when we walked into Cafe Rio, " Look they have self serve drinks with all the ice you want!" We all had a good laugh!

We were so happy they made it back safe and sound. It was a great (early) Christmas present for all of us!! Welcome Home!

Pictures of the Week.........

 Getting to see Santa at the Ward Christmas Breakfast. Julia not scared at all. Santa asked her if she wanted another baby brother??

 He knows what he wants but not so sure who that bearded man is quite yet?

Traditions Part 2...........

 

It wouldn't be Christmas at our house without a few Christmas goodies/treats. Every year we have to have a few favorites. Buckeye's are a must in the Cromwell house. Layne discovered these a few years ago and was hooked ever since. So that is definitely a request!

 

 Chex Mix is another big staple at our house. I actually get a craving for this around Halloween and make a few batches here and there but at Christmas time the batches increase tremendously! Can't have to much around here! Christian loves to be my helper and measure and dump the cereal in the bowls :)

Every year we gather at someones house and break out the cookie cutters and sprinkles and go to town. This year I think we had 4 batches of cookie dough to bake, cut and frost! The kids love it, and the adults do too. Its fun to decorate and see how they turn out. We are all very creative!

Picture of the Week..........

Allergic to horses or horse hair?? He was swollen for 2 days....poor kid!

Holiday Craft.........

Ever since I can remember my mom has had this wooden cut out Rudolf displayed every Christmas. My mom hand painted it herself and I've always wanted one. Well, this is the original Rudolf displayed here. It's old and has been glued back together many times because its been cracked or broken through the years.

Last year my sister Kasey made us all new wooden pieces to stain and paint to make our own Rudolf. Cool! I will have one of my very own. But it was easier said than done. I don't paint....I can stain wood but I don't paint. I gave it a try and mine didn't turn out to bad....just don't look to closely!

Now I will be able to have my very own Rudolf on display each year!