Aria is 6!

Aria had her 6th birthday while we were in California.  We always keep it pretty low key which seems to please her just fine.  She helped Grandma make waffles for breakfast, her favorite.

 She even got a candle to blow out.

 We waffled on the idea of where to go for dinner, wondering if we should try somewhere new, but we ended up back at Fat Apple's again and she loved her "burger sandwich", just what she asked for.

After dinner we headed home for presents and cake.  Aria couldn't wait to open presents so we did that first.  Gosh, she is such a beautiful girl!

She loved getting her own girl Legos.

Michela decorated the cake and I loved what she came up with.

We had to hold Laina back so she didn't blow out the candles for Aria.

Such a sweet girl we have and she is growing up to be such a beautiful and talented little lady.

6 Things About Aria on her 6th Birthday:
1.  She just recently cut her own hair.
2.  She loves to dance and do gymnastics.
3.  She is getting to be such a good reader!
4.  She is a bit of a Fashionista.
5.  She is so Loud!
6.  She loves Kindergarten and going to school everyday.

"Gingerbread Houses" aka A Good Excuse to Eat Candy

The kids begged to do graham cracker gingerbread houses while we were out in California.  My Mom and sister were kind enough to go and get us lots of supplies for the event.  A friend of mine told me about how she uses melted sugar to "glue" her crackers together.  Basically you just melt some sugar with some water and it makes liquid goo.  You have to be fast before it starts to harden and watch out that you don't burn yourself.  I glued the houses together and I thought they weren't going to stay together, but once the sugar hardened they were as sturdy as can be!
Everyone came up with such cute and unique designs.  I love seeing the kids' creative juices flowing.

 Aria did hers all by herself this year and I think she did a fantastic job.

I think Hunter used every kind of candy.

Chase's was probably the heaviest.

Michela's was a beautiful work of art.

Laina and I collaborated on our design.  

Perfect activity for a winter afternoon.

Christmas Day

We are in California for Christmas again.  We love coming out here to spend time with the Hunt family and get out of the snow.  Unfortunately it is quite rainy here this year, but at least there are enough breaks to get out to play or go walking.

Christmas morning started off with little children periodically creeping out into the hall to check the time.  I told them they couldn't come out of their rooms until 7:00.  The funniest was when I slipped out at about 6:55 to go to the bathroom and ran into Hunter checking the clock.  When he saw that he had 5 minutes left he gave an exasperated moan and slumped back into his room.  He is such a funny kid.
The kids loved finding what was in their stockings and opening the little gifts that are with them.  This usually tides them over until the rest of the house wakes up for present time.

 Laina enjoyed counting her candy cane kisses.  While we waited for Craig to wake up Michela let us open the box full of the presents she made.  She had made marshmallow guns for everybody and a marshmallow fight ensued.

The kids took their guns out and waited by Craig's door.  We could hear his laughing and yelling when he walked into their ambush.  Even Grandma got in on the action.

The present opening seemed to go on all morning.  The boys opened Legos, science sets, and even a much wanted microscope for Chase.  

Michela was all about clothes, clothes, and shoes this year.  What else would a teenage girl want?

The little girls got learning toys, Legos, and lots of new Barbie furniture for their garage sale doll house at home.

I got some brand new running shoes to help me stick with my workouts and Mike munched down on his annual apple fritter.

We had Craig this year and we set him up with a little Giants gear and stud wear.

It was even more fun this year because Jaxon and Jordon were there to open presents with us.  

They are such cute little guys, everybody loves them to pieces.  

After presents we busted out the food and had a delicious brunch.  Tiff had made cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, and a yummy frittata.  I found a recipe for a banana caramel french toast bake.  So good!  Of course there was lots of fresh fruit and we couldn't forget the bacon or we might of had a mutiny on our hands.
Beautiful Christmas day that will be full of cherished memories.  I'm glad the kids and Mike love being out with my family at Christmas as much as I do.

Lowry Christmas Party

The Lowry party was at our house this year.  It was fun to have everyone over and to get to see those family members we probably haven't seen since last party.  We played a few minute to win it games.  The cookie sliding down the face, seeing how many marshmallows could be thrown through a wreath in to a bucket, and Trevan rocked the nut stacking game.

Of course everyone always looks forward to the presents.  The kids had fun opening their presents and seeing what was inside.  

Laina loved her new little Snow Wipe (White).  

Bronson and Daynen looked happy with their gifts.  

After the kids opened presents the grownups started the gift exchange.  Wes looked intent as he looked for just the right one to open. 

 Everyone wanted to see what Lynette got.  

Peggy was delighted with what she found in her bag, but I'm sure it was stolen fairly quickly. 

Mike loves getting new tools.

Some of the fun couples at the party.

Dustin & Mindy

Mike & Mauri 

Shari & Trevor

And their cute baby Kalynn

Matt & Sara

The house was a mess when everyone left but we were happy to have everyone over.  There is nothing like being with family to get you in the Christmas spirit.

Pretty Ballerina

At Aria's dance studio they are really big on teaching the kids from the very start proper ballet technique.  I am always in awe of how graceful and poised she is when I see her dance.  Right before Christmas they let the parents come in a watch their class so the girls could show us all they have learned so far.

Aria is at the end on the left.

I don't know where she got that flexibility from.

Prima Ballerina

Aria is the tiniest little thing, she looks like the youngest one in class.  After watching her though a Grandmother came up to Mike and I and asked us where Aria had taken dance before.  This is her first serious ballet class, but she has always just been a natural when it comes to dance.  Love watching how she just lights up when she is out there dancing.