A new year...

It's been so long!!! Happy new year to everyone! Last weekend was one of our few rainy weekends we get here in Palm Springs. We all actually really enjoy these dreary days, now that our roof is new and rain proof we all love to hear the rain. Eric took Ty on a hike after it rained all day to a place called 'dry falls' and when it rains it's not so dry! The falls were flowing and there was a small lake at the bottom that Cali went in and out of about 20 times. I am so glad Ty loves to hike, I can't wait for the twins to get old enough to do it. This one is about a 4 mile hike, the trail goes away at the end and there is a lot of rock scrambling and options of directions. I was impressed that Ty only got a piggy back the last 1/2 mile home!!! Two days later Eric took Ty up to the tram (I had the camera so no pics) with a sled, there was about a foot of snow, and they played up there for a few hours and then had a dinner date together at Fisherman's, again-can't wait until the twins are older and we can all do that!!!
Luke enjoying a ride at Chuck E Cheese. It was his first time and he handled it like a pro. Mason does not like the 'pooty moss', or you can guess, spooky mouse.
Dress up at our house is a very common activity, the twins love to go in the hutch and grab my colorful napkins and use them as accessories, sometimes they are bandidos, sometimes pirates, sometimes cowboys, it's amazing what a pack of napkins from crate & barrell can be transformed into.
My scary boys and Julie the clown.
Julie took her boots off last night when she came it, Luke was quick to swoop in on those!! Another picture Eric is not too fond of....

Merry Christmas to all

Christmas morning was so fun (and chaotic) with everyone waking up at my parent's house. The kids went crazy opening gifts and of course loved the little gifts like ring pops. Ty got new golf clubs from my parents and he is also going to go the week long golf instruction course their country club has for kids in April. He is very excited and my dad & Eric super proud of the budding golf enthusiast. We (Santa) got Ty drums which have found their way into the bomb shelter. Even with 16 inch concrete walls and 10 feet below ground, I can still hear them in the twins room. No wonder they went down there with headphones on!!!
Ty & the twins opening Ty's new clubs.
Mason got new slippers, very happy about that.
These are our attempts at family photos. They actually turned out pretty good and we did some goofy ones at the end.

Hockey & Christmas Eve

Eric took Ty to the ice skating rink in Cat City on Sunday night, they had been talking about it for days. Ty got to ice skate for the first time, scored 4 goals playing hockey and brought home a snow ball that has been give coveted status in our freezer. Funny how I didn't think snowballs were that cool growing up but I guess out here they are somewhat of a novelty.
My NHL super star.

On Christmas Eve my sister Melissa, her husband Jonathan & their son, Ethan (9 months) flew in from Kansas City and we thought it would be fun to all spend the night at mom & dad's and wake up together Christmas morning. My dad read 'Twas the night before Christmas' to the twins and we put out the requisite cookie for Santa and carrots for his reindeer.

The park & Christmas fun

A trip to the park is always fun, and a bit challenging when kids out number the adults!!
Just a tiny bit of static on Luke's slide...
Mason was a bit scared to go down the big slide by himself, he called it the 'pooty slide' (spooky slide). Behind our couch lives a 'pooty dye' (spooky guy) too.

More pictures of my little elfs, loving the camera as usual!!
I took my eyes off of them for 5 minutes to wash dishes (Ty & Eric were are the dentist) and when I turned the water off, it was much too quiet. They had gotten into the stash of shaving cream samples Eric gets from school. Mason had decided it was hair gel. I told him it's not for his hair and he asked 'face?' I told him no, he asked 'neck?', no again, 'belly?', no again, we went through about every body part but their hair was looking quite fabulous when they were done.

The next morning they were up at 6 and 'helped' me get ready. They LOVE hairspray so since they already had some good hair going on from the shaving cream and bedheads, I sprayed them up.
They were very happy to show off their new do's!!! I love their hair!!!

For Christmas, Emily and the boys made me these banners with their hands. I absolutely love them!!! Things like this that will remind me of their tiny hands forever are the gifts I like the best. Merry Christmas!!!!

Wine(o) Party!!!!

We had a holiday 'wine-tasting' party this past weekend that really just ended up being a 'tons of wine drinking' party. It was one of the best parties we have had, there was a great group of people and when going through 34 bottles of wine, who wouldn't have a fantastic time???? (and yes, we had more than 34 people!!)
Julie & David cheesing.
Our friends Brad & Sarah, they are getting married in Jackson Hole WY this summer and we are going!!!

Above is Sanya & me, Zolt, Brad & Mack. See, we're having fun!!!

Vern, Tash, me, Emily & Julie

Mark & Vern brought the expensive wine to the party. They are our 'classy' friends & I really love the to pieces!!


The aftermath.....

Last soccer game & St Nick

Ty's last game was last week and they played the Time Travelers which is Dean's team so it was fun to have them play each other for their last game. We got a great video of Ty scoring a goal but Eric said the best is the team wrestling event that went on at half time. Dean & Conrad (in the background) all go to school together and the boys like to play rough!!! Wrestle-mania is their favorite game and even the twins like to join in on the fun.
Ty & Conrad with their trophies. (very cool!)
After soccer we went to the library to see Santa, they were all quite unsure about him, hence we had to be in the picture too.
Ty did muster up the courage to tell Santa he wants a black motorcycle with big wheels for Christmas. Too bad the dang thing won't fit down the chimney!! :)

Ty is now 5!!!

He had a week full of birthday events. We had his birthday party at Kiddie Kollege Dec 12th. He gets a crown and everyone gathers around to watch him open presents and they clap for all of the kids, it really makes it special for everyone. Mason, Luke, Emily & Julie came too, Mace & Luke got to sit at the table and eat lunch with the big kids which was very important to them.


On the 13th my parents & Julie came over for dinner with us (Emily & Iven too of course) and we had our family celebration. He loved all of the attention and we were relieved when we could finally tell him he is really 5!!!