Halloween Party

This year we decided we wanted to be something really fun for the family Halloween party.  We all loved watching Despicable Me 2 this summer so we figured it would be perfect with the 3 girls.  Mike was Gru, Mauri was Lucy Wilde, Michela, Aria, and Laina were the girls, and Chase and Hunter were Minions.  I had a lot of fun making the minion costumes and went thrift shopping for the majority of the other costumes.

We had fun at the party, eating, catching up with family, and playing games with the cousins.  Everyone came in fun costumes.  I know Mike doesn't always enjoy dressing up, but I'm glad we have family parties like these.

Lowry Christmas Party

My Beautiful Children

  Sunday night we had the annual Lowry Christmas Party over at Matt and Sara's house.  It was fun to see the family, eat some delicious food, and play some fun games.  The kids always enjoy hanging out with their cousins and getting a little rowdy.  There was lots of laughing going on and the minute to win it games kept everyone in a good mood.  After the games and some treats we moved on to presents.  The kids were eyeing the presents all night long.  Everyone came away happy with what they got.  Such an enjoyable evening, so glad we did it, and wondering when will we get together next?

Aria with Grandpa Larry

Rachelle, Mindy, and Laina

Bronson and Matt

Mauri and Megan

The Kids playing the Cup game.

The Grandparents having a go at it.

How fast can you pull the tissues out of a tissue box?

Stacking Cups

Trying to get the pretzel into their mouths with no hands.

Blowing Bubbles

Russ was the champion at the Pencil catching game.
I think he got to 22 pencils!

The former champ Uncle Dave.

Trying to suck up M&Ms with a straw and putting them in a cup.

Michela making her Brownie even Sweeter.

Laina and Mike

My Little Christmas Present

The Kids waiting to open Presents.

Board Books for Laina

Strawberry Shortcake for Aria

Legos for Chase

And Legos for Hunter

A Beautiful Blue Scarf for Michela

Lowry Christmas Party

We had the Lowry Christmas Party at our house this year. Lynette wanted to do a ugly Christmas Sweater contest. I guess I was still in the Bah Humbug attitude and didn't feel like going out and looking through thrift shops for ugly Christmas sweaters, so my family didn't really participate, sorry Lynette. Everyone else had fun with it and we had a great night.

I found some "Minute to Win it" games for the whole crowd to do and it was so much fun! We started off with the guys trying to stack three golf balls on top of each other. They all kept getting so close, but Mike finally was able to do it.

Then the kids had to separate a bag of M&Ms by color into individual cups with one hand as fast as they could. It was quite a race but Michela came in first with Alyssa close behind.

The next game was between the ladies. They had to take plastic cups and using alternating hands, transfer the cups from the top to the bottom until they had transferred all of the cups. I think Sara ended up winning this one.

Lots of people tried the pencil game. You had to put pencils on the back of your hand and flick them into the air and catch them with the same hand. I think Dave got to about 16 pencils for the win.

The funniest game was the cookie game where you tried to get a cookie from your forehead into your mouth just by moving your face. The video is pretty funny. (Trouble uploading the video, I'll try and post it later.) Mike won, but Kaden finished right after. Cody was the funniest and Alyssa was cracking me up trying to get it with her tongue.

We ended the night with a fun little photo shoot thought up by Lynette.

I think the reindeer antlers were pretty funny.

Happy 98th!

We had a great trip up to Idaho for Great Grandma Lowry's 98th Birthday.  She looked as healthy as ever and I guess we will keep coming to these birthday parties for as long as she's around.  Knowing her, she will probably outlive us all!

I got some cute pictures of the kids and their cousins.  I was pretty proud of them for behaving well for most of the time.  It's hard being in a rest home for a couple of hours when you are little.  

I even got some of Peggy's family and one half decent shot of the entire group.

  

I'm so glad the kids have the opportunity to know their Great Great Grandmother.  She is such a great example of hard work and perseverance.  I wish I had been around for the Quiltin' Hilton days but I've sure enjoyed all the wonderful rag rugs, crocheted hangers and quilts she has blessed us with over the years.  Happy Birthday to a wonderful lady!