New Years Eve and Day 2014

Well once again we had our time honored tradition of spending New Years Eve with our Elswoods. We arrived a little early and gave the kids their Christmas presents as we couldn't meet up before than due to illnesses.

We have smoked meat, which I actually couldn't get enough of. We chatted while the kids watched a movie and the boys hung out in the kitchen. I got to cuddle with my Katie during the movie and she ended up falling asleep on me. I loved it!

After the kids went to bed, we ended up playing a game. The Elswood's neighbors, Ahles, joined us, so we were boys against girls. We ended up missing the ball drop for New Years, but were only 8 minutes late in realizing. We stopped our game and some bubble. Sella Ahles ended up waking up shortly after throwing up. Poor baby. We ended up finishing the game up around 1am.  The boys ended up winning as they had an extra person, but maybe next time.

New Years Day was spent relaxing mostly. We had a little bit later breakfast, okay Matt and I did as we slept in until 9am. We ate homemade egg, sausage, biscuits. Matt, David, Grace, and Kate played with Legos after breakfast. Matt and I ended up leaving after Kara's morning nap.

We had a fun time as we do every year!

Matt watching Despicable Me 2 with his girls.
Katie was telling him everything that was happening.
(He hadn't seen it yet.) 

Kristin and Parker joining in on watching the movie

Matt and I at 12:08 am on 1-1-2014

Me and Katie cuddling watching the movie
right before she fell asleep on me.

Kara's first picture in 2014. Our room at the Elswoods. 

 Kara decided to wake up and show me she could click her tongue while we were at the Elswoods. It amazes me so much to find out what she learns on her own. I am glad I get to watch her grow. 

Young at heart. Legos for all ages. 

Our little Mozart

Kara got a piano for Christmas and boy does she like to jam out on it. 

Ready...set...action in December

Jumping Bean

Kara giggling caught on camera.

 

Matt dresses Kara in this outfit. I didn't like the sleeves on it, but love her toy in her mouth. She reminds me of the a gargoyle off a Disney movie.

Kara watching her dad out the window shoveling the snow. 

One of her favorite things to play with in the kitchen. 

My family Christmas party. We changed it up this year and had it on the Saturday before Christmas. My Gram, which is Kara's great-gram gave her a blanket.

This year for Christmas, I wanted to make my Gram a memory book with memories from her grandkids and great grandkids. It took alot of reminding and coaxing, but in the end it turned out great and Gram loved the book, which was the best part of all. (Thanks cousins for the pics and memories!)

One of the rare instances that Kara cuddled with me. To bad she was sick in order to do it though. 

 I was sitting at the computer working and Matt brings out Kara dressed like this. He said she looks exactly like Wonder Woman. Only Matt could be so geeky.

Playing with her dad

Leili having fun at dinner

Christmas Day 2013

This was Kara's first Christmas, so did we go crazy on the presents...No! Our present this year was a trip in November to see the California Monson's. So we had a small Christmas to open on Christmas day, which was perfect. Kara got 3 toys, some 12 month clothes, a couple of books, and a movie for Christmas.

We woke up Christmas morning and had breakfast before opening presents. Kara didn't know the difference, so we just took our time. Kara helped opened her presents while sitting on our laps. It went pretty well. Matt and I each got a couple of items but nothing crazy.

Before we were done with presents Kara was already tired, so she went down for a nap at 10 am. We had to wake her up at Noon, because we were late to go to my parents to be with my family. We joined them for a late brunch we we got there. Breakfast casserole and cinnamon buns.

We then headed downstairs for presents. Most had been opened since we arrived later than expected, but we did get to talk to Lyndsay and Chelsey on the phone though. My mom's present from Lyndsay made her cry, so that was fun to watch.

We hung around for Kara's second nap and a movie, before heading to Matt's parents. We saw his brother and his family and also our niece, Kaylynn and her fiance, Johnathan. We stayed there until 8. We home and put Kara down. We then got some bubbly for ourselves and watched 1 movie and went to bed. Day with family is fantastic. Too bad we missed some of our family who are out of state!

Matt's coworker gave him this small tree. Cute and Kara's size.

Action Shot

Love this little girl!

Kara enjoyed the box that her present was in. 

Blocks for Kara. She doesn't quite get the concept, but Leili likes them. 

Bath toys that are a total success. 

Kara got me a Willow Tree figurine of a mother and daughter.

This shows Matt's real feelings about his present.
He didn't really want them, so I took them back. 

Rocking piano! Kara loves banging on the keys and uses the bottom as a drum too!

Matt got me a new Iphone case, because he doesn't like the one I currently have.
It went back to the store needless to say. 

Like the bag, it was Matt's Christmas stocking this year.

Matt kept the shirt, but would have preferred it being short sleeve.
He told me he doesn't like long sleeves. Still learning new things about him. 

Kara's best present...left over wrapping paper and boxes

At my parents. 

At my parents

Leili opening her gift from Kara. 

Gram and Kara

Matt enjoying Kara's present its a book that has a piano attached.

Leili and Kara playing on the floor

My mom opening her present from Kara. 

Leili is quite found of my mom and didn't like Kara on her lap.

Kara and her Grandma (Matt's mom)

Kara and Kaylynn

A present with a bow...what does Kara do?

Kara's reaction to my present from my mom.
Hopefully it goes better this summer!