12.31.2009: New Years Eve Party

After our Family & Friends football game, we went back to Brent's house to relax before our evening party. It was about to turn into a very long day! :) The kids played, we relaxed, changed, cleaned up, and got ready for the rest of the gang to show up. As people tricked in thru the night, we ate a delish dinner....had lots of wonderful wine....played games, danced, and waited for the ball to drop. The guys sat in the dining/kitchen area and joked & laughed and made fun of each other. The girls sat in the formal dining room and wondered what the guys thought was so funny in there! Eventually we had to go crash their party.

We all stayed up till midnight to see the ball drop. Most people had left by then...to avoid the crazies that come out after midnight. But those of us that stayed, brought the new year in in style. Goodbye 2009, HELLO 2010!!!

12.31.2009: Family & Friends Football Game

On New Years Eve, Brent & Alisa and Vince & I decided to organize a little family & friends football game before our party. We had a BLAST!!! I don't know why we haven't done this before!! We didn't have a huge group, but we sure did have enough! Nana was the cheerleader and the photographer. So, thank her for the pics....as the rest of us were playing. She was also the keeper of the dogs...making sure they stayed around and didn't wander too far away. A lot of jobs for a little girl, but if you know Nana, she can handle it!

The game itself was so fun! We were exhausted by end of it. Felt like we played for hours, but was less than 2 I think. We all fell, scored, rolled in the grass, pulled flags, got tackled, etc. Vince ended up pulling his hamstring VERY badly (took a few weeks to recover and even ended up in the ER the following week)...but I wouldn't let him stop playing :) So, I am sure that didn't help in a quick recovery either. There was a very large hole hidden in the field that seemed to attract most of us. Mom found it a few times!!

Anyways, we had a GREAT time....and couldn't wait to get back home for some beverages, advil, and ice packs!!!!! Perfect way to start a great New Years Eve!!! :)

12.29.2009: Crab Leg Dinner with the Greenes

Brian Greene's kids were in town for their Christmas break (from Colorado Springs), and came over for dinner one night. Since one of our specialties is all you can eat King Crab Legs on the grill, we made a delish dinner for them. Turns out Taylor LOVES crab legs! I don't think he said 2 words during the entire meal....he did some damage! So did Vince, Brian, and I. Gina...not so much! She doesn't really like seafood...so she just sat back and watched the show. There were crab pieces flying everywhere!

After dinner, the boys entered into a game of electronic football. It was loud, high energy, and hilarious! This was a game that Brian and Vince grew up on....so they had all kinds of strategies planned. Taylor was not going to get his Dad win either....so it was quite an evening of competition! Gina and I got to enjoy the entertainment!! SO much fun!

12.25.2009: Christmas Day

Everyone got to bed early, and then were woken up VERY early by the kids who were sooooo excited to open presents and see what Santa brought them. We all got full stockings with wonderful goodies...and no coal! Andrew got a cool air hockey table from Mom and Dad...and Brianna got a huge dollhouse. They both LOVED the gifts! We all had stacks and stacks of gifts from everyone. Lots of thanks to all...everything had so much thought go into it...we loved our gifts. We spent the day playing with our new goodies. Andrew and Brianna also got BB guns from Mom and Dad. Brianna got a bright pink one. SO CUTE! So, both the kids practiced their shootin' later in the morning.

We had a great Christmas day too. Brent and Alisa went to visit Alisa's gramma out in San Clemente...then came home and we had a great Christmas dinner of Prime Rib. YUMMO!

Thanks to everyone for our gifts!!!

12.24.2009: Christmas Eve Party w/ Riedmans

Every year for Christmas, we go to Gramma & Papa's for Christmas Eve dinner & presents. This year was fun because there were 2 newborn babies there to join in the festivities...Stevie's new baby Tucker...and Chad's new baby Layla. Both SOOOOOO cute!!! We all had a great time...delish dinner....wonderful gifts...lots of lights...lots of fun!! :) I am sure it took Gramma & Papa a few days to recover from the evening and a housefull of people!!!

Vince had his "Santa Tracker" program on his phone and Andrew and Brianna were eager to get home and get to bed because it showed Santa "in the area". Brianna was actually terrified because she wanted to make sure that she didn't actually get to see Santa for real! She even went in the other room at Gramma's house and said she was just going to sleep there...wanted to make sure her eyes were good & closed before there was any chance of Santa showing up. Funniest thing!!! Great way to get the kids in bed and asleep FAST too!!