Going out with a bang!!

This year we decided to have a New Year's Eve party since after Christmas there such a big lull in action. We invited our new neighbors from across the street for a yummy Mexican food fiesta.

We had tacos from Valle Luna that my parent's brought over, chips/salsa, guacamole & jalapeno & cilantro grilled shrimp. Yum Yum Yum! My girls all ready to party. I did not get a good pic of Kora's outfit because she spit up all over it :(

 My brother, Bret stopped by after he got off work.

 Sparkler mania!

 

 Fireworks!

 Kora watching the fireworks...by the way it was FREEZING outside.

 The grand finale......a "Tangled" lantern.

Seriously the coolest thing EVER!

 It took off sooo fast & went really far.

Not sure where it landed but we had such a fun night.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning the kids gave us the BEST gift....they slept in until 9am!

That is why opening 1/2 of their gifts on Christmas Eve works like a charm.

We went over to my parent's house for breakfast & gifts.

 my parent's tree & decorations are soooo pretty

There are three little annoying pups in our family now but they sure looked cute in their festive little outfits.

 We each take a turn and watch each other open gifts...Kali and Kai were being so patient waiting their turns.

 Kora rolled around on the floor enjoying all of the excitement.

 After all the unwrapping was done Bret rode Kai's scooter & Kai played with Bret's new cornhole game. I guess we should have switched their gifts :)

 Picture time! (I cropped myself out because I looked hideous)

Kora was so cute in her little Christmas outfit.

 All of us.

 Then we layed around for hours while the kids kept themselves busy with their gifts. Kora took a nap and then we headed over to Grandma Kathi's for the most delicious meal. EVER. We had prime rib, grilled lobster tails, twice baked potatoes & brussel sprouts with bacon. YUM!

 The kids got more gifts.

Kali was most excited about her Barbie doll that is also a digital camera & Kai loved his Spiderman web shooting gloves (that he brought home and squirted all over the wall. awesome)

 It was such a nice night & a great way to end Christmas day.

We are so lucky to have so much family to spend the holidays with.

Christmas Eve

Kali went to her friend's house to make this adorable gingerbread house.

 we open all of our gifts and stocking on Christmas Eve since Christmas day is gift overload at the Grandparents and it helps our kids sleep in nice & late on Christmas morning.

 Stocking time!

 Kora liked all the excitement

 Kali got her jewelry box from Justice that she has been asking for & Kai got the Batman characters.

 This is our Christmas count down chalk board, Kai drew a little Grinch on the bottom.

 Kali started feeling a little sick in the evening.

Kai & Kali were most excited to give each other the gifts they picked out.

 This little boy just LOVES his Daddy.

Then we all got dressed & headed over to the Kenny's, our very good friends, for dinner (our yearly tradition) We had a great time & ate yummy food. When we got home we put out our luminaries and visited with our neighbors that were out looking at all the luminaries in the neighborhood.

It was a really nice day.

Schools out!!

 

School is out for winter break!! Hip hip hooray!!

We started Friday off trying to take a good pic of all 3 kiddos.

Here is the final Christmas picture.

Oh I just love these 3 happy chappies.

 and here are the outtakes...Kali and Kai were basically fighting over who held Kora the entire time.

Lovely.

 Kora is just trying to survive these two big siblings loving her TOO much sometimes.

 Kali read Junie B Jones to Kora while I was getting dressed.

 and then we picked up Yaya and drove out to Anthem to take more holiday pictures

 the Santa line was way too long for this inpatient little bunch so we just took some on our own

 Kali and Kai are kind of over the whole Santa lie this year.

Kali asked SOOO many questions about Santa and I felt bad lying to her so when she asked if he was real I told her the truth. She was pretty mad at me for lying all of these years.

Kai has never really liked Santa in the first place & we pretty much had to force him to sit on his lap the one time he did so he could care less.

Kai said, "my family gives me gifts not Santa".

So I guess that's that.

 Kora was just hanging out in her stroller being a sweetie bean.

 The kids were excited to get to play on the playground .

The weather was perfect.

 

Today Kali had dance class...and she is standing on her tippy toes for some reason.

 Kali and I stopped at the store on the way home for baking ingredients and we've been baking ever since we got home.

While we were waiting for the cupcakes to bake we've been listening to Christmas music & the kids are drawing on the chalk board.

I LOVE days like this.

Winter break is my favorite!