Ventura Highway Revisted with Friends!

 We invited a crew with us for a fun night out to see our FAVORITE local 70's cover band at Vino Bella: Ventura Highway Revisited.

The group was great- and good sized for a post-holidays night away.

 Our first shot got PHOTO BOMBED!

 Second attempt :)

We had such a great night singing and dancing and drinking of course...

Blessed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2014!

 We had the most WONDERFUL NYE with friends.  The Gates family came over for a relaxing evening of watching football, hanging out, eating, of course some drinking... and some silly kid time too.  Ok and a few fireworks.  It was ideal and relaxing and mellow.  Safe.

Jacqueline*Brock*Luke*Ava

These kiddos are all one year apart in school and act like the best of friends.  Great connections.  

We made it to NYE in New York city- watched and counted down as the ball dropped! 

... then kissed and celebrated and said our goodbyes and were in bed by 11:20pm!  HA! :)

That being said, we are ready to BRING ON 2014!

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed!

 What a beautiful few days... a Christmas celebration that lasted multiple days nights. 

 It began with a special dinner and night out on Saturday with the cousins and Papa Dick and Marlene to see A Christmas Carol.

We all got to attend the play and then the grandparents took all four kids back for presents and a SLUMBER PARTY!  Even more exciting (and it doesn't get much better than that!) was they got to go swimming AND ice skating on Sunday!  Luke and Ava discovered their new LOVE: skating on ice!

 

These "contraptions" are fantastic- they really got the kids to feel comfortable on the ice!

 

Luke kept saying "I wish Cole and I were brothers"... these two have an awesome bond!

 Ice princesses!

 Meanwhile on Sunday, daddy and Uncle David went to the Hawks game on Sunday (sad loss) and mommy got some last minute errands done and even a manicure/pedicure- a win-win-win for us all!

Tuesday night we got to spend with Grandma Karen and David and celebrate Christmas with her... it had been way too long since we had seen her last, and the evening was so perfect.  We were all so glad to see her and have this time.

 CHRISTMAS MORNING!  The anticipation of it all!!!!!  Here are some of my favorite shots:

 Even did a Gardiner tradition: ear cones!

 Christmas evening Papa and Marlene came over with MORE gifts (so kind!) and even more family time...

 Marlene's son Adam also came- amazing guy.  Lots of games and good food and conversation...

And we danced the night away!  Well, Max and Ava did.  We watched :)

 The forced family shot to document the day!

 dad*Marlene*Adam

 I feel especially blessed this Christmas.  And so grateful.  So content and FULL.

Friend Gift Exchange with Ava's Buddies!

 Ava asked if SHE could host a friend gift exchange so she invited some buddies over this afternoon and they had a blast! I loved listening to all their gossip and sharing of their own families holiday traditions...

 
Of the 7 she invited, only Lillie couldn't make it.

 

 Ava giving out the mystery numbers to see what the order would be :)

 The girls also did a lot of coloring while watching Ava's favorite Christmas movie: HOME ALONE!

 They munched on snowflake and star shaped sandwiches made by Ava and mommy :)

 And more coloring...

Finished up by more coloring and RAINBOW LOOM of course!

This may just have been the start to a NEW hu

Suprise! PIZZA for lunch? AND PAPA JERRY!

Jerry was traveling through town on business so he took the opportunity to drop off the kids Christmas presents.  When Jason found out what time he was coming through, he said "we should surprise the kids with lunch!"  What's cooler than Dad surprising you and your friends with your own cheese pizza?  Having your dad and PAPA, that's what!

Saint Nicholas

 Ava had a 3rd grade culture and traditions parade last Wednesday, and she was thrilled her teacher asked her to dress up in the Saint Nicholas costume! 

 She had a HUGE smile on her face as she walked in and out of all the halls... so adorable.

 I have to admit I had to google Saint Nicholas...

I love that everyone thought she was the Pope :)

Evergreen City Nutcracker with Almy's and Crook's

 We had a fun girlie Sunday last weekend!  First had brunch at a diner in Auburn with Renee and Sofia, Morgan and Charlie & Alex!  Then we headed to the Evergreen City production of The Nutcracker.  This is the same company that we saw last year, when Sofia was preforming.  Although Sofia took the year off from ballet, we were so impressed with the production last year we wanted to go see it again.

 All dressed up with their holiday best :)

 Ava LOVED it again this year.  She must have whispered to me, "oh I love this part!" about 20 times throughout the 1.5 hour show.  Priceless.  Magical.  

Almost better than the production itself?  Meeting the cast after for pictures!

 One of her favorite dancers!

The BEST holiday tradition for just the two of us girls :)