Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...a little late

Wow, where did December go. I can't believe it's over. We had a crazy month, but it was well worth it with family time we were able to spend. There is nothing better than all being together. Here is a brief overview of the month...

First part of December we enjoyed the annual Snowbird treat my dad does for all the employees. It was hilarious, we did "ES3 Idol", the company owners were the judges the Idol cast. You were paid $100 just for participating and then the audience voted for the top three who won larger money prizes. It was a husband/wife duo who won doing their version of Sunny and Cher. The husband was dressed as Cher and the wife was dressed as Sunny, it was great. Afterward, the judges surprised us all by serenading us with their rendition of Beyonce's...All The Single Ladies, so funny.

Mid-December we enjoyed family night with part of the fam at Desert Star's Dinner Theater presentation of The Nutcracker: Men In Tights.

Christmas Eve day was spent with my fam. We get together at my parent's church to play games. We used to do the movie thing, but due to the addition of kidlets our tradition has taken a backseat. The evening is spent with Jared's family doing dinner and a cousin gift exchange with his mom's side.

Finally, Christmas...oh, how fun it was with little ones and I can only imagine how each year gets better. Jared and I decided we are going to set the expectations while they are young so they don't expect a huge, lavish Christmas. I really want to teach the girls the importance of giving as well. They still were spoiled. Ryah got a dollhouse which she loves to play with. Her "people" take a bath with her every morning and are put to bed every night. She also got books, coloring paraphernalia, a baby, a ball blower, blocks, and an outfit. Kes got a ball with a clown on it and everytime you push the clown it makes music (it is one of the more annoying toys we've purchased lol), teething toys, bath toys, and an outfit to match her sis. I got Jared some golf stuff and he got me a new flatscreen TV he wanted. I admit, I like it. He also splurged a little more and bought me an outfit, my sister's complemented him all day on the purchase. He was pretty proud of himself. We went to Jared's parents after opening our presents for breakfast and do a gift exchange with his brother's and parents.

Christmas night was spent at my parents for the traditional Christmas Auction. This year the theme for the 12 days of Christmas my mom did for us was "Time." A lot of the gifts it was based around spending time with family, making time to get your house in order, etc. The Christmas Auction presents varied from food storage buckets, food organizers, shopping spree's, various gift cards, entertainment tickets, to the grand prize of an iPod touch which Tiff and Zach bid the highest. Our family lucked out with food storage buckets to add to our others, an all expense paid date night to Bill Cosby with my parents, golf stuff (Jar loved), and a couple gift cards. It was such a fun time. Thanks to my mom who goes through all the work to put everything together, I can not even imagine how much work it is...and of course my faja for funding the fun :) We feel so blessed.