Actual New Years Eve

We started the night at the Magengale’s house for a pasta feast. The Heritage Running Club is running in a New Years Day half-marathon, so we were carb loading. After a few hours there, we took the kids home to be babysat. We headed over to the Spark’s to party. We celebrated with the Nelsons, Killebrews, Anderbauers, and Weights. We played True Colors and had a white elephant gift exchange. Everyone was very creative in their selections. We set off fireworks and then headed home so I could get a few hours sleep before my race.

Mark got some festive jingle wear.  I loves Lindsey's reaction.

Jennifer got a messager from the 50s.  Alycia found it at the Community Store House.  See there are perks to volunteering.

Alycia was without Nick because he was in CA attending his niece's blessing.

The Sparks provided some great fireworks.

Just a little smoky.

Me and Marci

Our first kiss of the new year.

Alycia decided to join in.

Almost New Years

We were going to an adult only New Years Eve party, so we told our kids it was New Years Eve a day early. I made the kids sweet glasses out of pipe cleaners. We watched Mariah Carey’s version of Auld Lang Syne. The kids danced around and we had sparkling cider.

Farewell

All good things have to come to an end. Mom, Dad, and Kendra left on the afternoon of the 30th after we dined on yummy Mexican food. Poor Kendra had to ride in the back of the car with Ben, their dog.

Texas de Brazil

Alycia and I take my dad to Texas de Brazil for father’s day every summer. This summer my parents were both sick, so they weren’t able to visit. After the rest of the family left, we took the opportunity to take him. Dad loves meat.

Gampe Family Photos

Laurel, Zoey, Dane, (Blake, Sydney, Trey standing in front) Alycia, Nick, (Austin standing in front) Jeff, Brielle, Mom, Dad, Kendra, Jace, Jenné, (Renée, Gavin standing in front) Sam, Tiffany, and (Carter on Sam's shoulders)

Thanks Dane!

All the grandkids

Playing Games

My family loves to play games together. Next to eating, it is our number two activity. Laurel got these shots with her brand new camera that Santa brought her.

We got "Pillars of the Earth" from the library on DVD.  We all got sucked in and the boys were making fun of us.

Christmas Day

The kids let us sleep in until 7, which was really nice of them. Then when everyone was ready they came running downstairs and tore into the presents. After we opened all of our presents and emptied out our stockings, we ate our Multaschen. We spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys and enjoying our time together.

Gavin's new bike.

I love Renée's little smile in this photo.

Who wouldn't want to make crayons?

Tinkertoys that came in a drum.

Grandma Debbie made all the kids caps in their favorite colors.

Night vision goggles were what Gavin wanted Santa to bring him most of all.

Carter sporting safety goggles with his new nail gun.

My new bigger kitchen aid!

The table runner that my mom quilted for Sam and I.

Christmas chaos.

Filled stockings.

even more stockings.

Jewelry from my kids.  They picked it out from me at Sam Moon.

Apfel Multaschen

Kendra and Renée trying out the new make up kit.

Don't they look beautiful.

Sam and the boys building a space craft out of legos.

The best part about Christmas is staying in your PJs all day long.

Pap-pap and Carter building a dump truck.

Austin gave himself a make over with a marker.