Christmas 2010

We spent another magical Christmas at the ranch this year. Although it was a much smaller group than last year we still had a fabulous week. Darin's family, ours, and my mom were there for the week then Kurt's gang came Christmas day and stayed the weekend. We had the Griswald of all trees this year which was awesome but a bit tricky decorating the top few branches. The week was spent playing games, making delicious food, and a couple of sledding trips on Boulder. It was so fun to just relax and enjoy the time together. Christmas Eve we had Aunt Camiel and family for dinner followed by a little nativity by the kids. Then it was off to bed for kids while we prepared for Santa's visit. The week flew by and we were sad to see it end. We locked up the ranch until May. The kids are already begging to get back and I am too!






Christmas Eve Jammies

Cousins

Biggest and Best tree ever!

Christmas morning


My beautiful Mama

Time for a second 4-wheeler

Playing in the cottonwoods


Hope he doesn't resent me dressing him in that pink coat all week!

Cruising

A week before Thanksgiving Jake and I took a 7 night cruise to the Caribbean. It was fabulous. We went to St. Thomas, St. Marteen, and Nassau,Bahamas. Our favorite port was St. Marteen, where we rented lawn chairs on the ocean and just soaked up the sun and swam in the beautiful aqua ocean. When we booked our trip we were upgraded to a balcony for free. Let me just say it's going to be really hard to go on another cruise and stay on an inside cabin. Balcony was THE way the go! The trip was so fun and the kids did great w/o us thanks to their loving grandmas who rotated shifts. So greatly appreciated. We can't wait to sail again!

St. Thomas



St. Marteen


Atlantis

Halloween

We had a fun Halloween this year. The kids were dressed and ready to go knock doors by 5pm. Unfortunately, they got about 4 houses away and it began to downpour! Everyone on the streets went running for their homes. We figured that was it for the night so the kids undressed and we made dinner. Luckily about an hour later the rain let up and Riley and Crew were able to finish out the neighborhood. Beck stayed behind and helped pass out candy. He was so fun to watch. Everytime he heard the doorbell he'd drop what he was doing and run screaming towards the door. I think he had more fun than anyone. At the end of the night Jake and I inspected the kids bags to secure a few of our favorites and then let the kids dig in. A very fun night, but glad it's behind us so we can look forward to Thanksgiving!



Crew was set to be a ninja but last minute he resorted back to his last years golfer instead

Riley at her school parade

First Day of School

Riley started Kindergarten this year. She could hardly contain her excitement! She was begging for summer to end just so she could start school. I can't believe how fast she's grown up!

Beach Week

One of our favorite times of the year is our annual Brian beach week in Laguna. It's a week of pure R&R and fun times with the family. We weren't able to go last year since I was due that week with Beck, so we were glad we could make it this year. Nothing quite like sitting on the beach all week soaking up the sun while the kids run wild with their cousins. Bliss.





This big wave came up right as we were trying to take their pic

All 21 cousins







Noah would make a sweet cheerleader! Look at that form!

Taking the ferry to Balboa Island



Beck LOVES Finn!


Rocky the snake

Beck Turns 1!

Our sweet little Beck had his first birthday! Where has this last year gone!? He is such a good boy and smiles at everyone he sets his eyes on. I wish he could stay this age forever. Funny, I used to think of Crew this way too...then he turned 3!




Let him eat cake!