Two Princesses and Their Shining Knight

The girls have been counting down the days to the annual Father/Daughter Ball at the high school.  Not only is this an excellent fundraiser for the DECA high school club but it is such a wonderful event promoting family ties.

This year I decided to take the girls on a little shopping trip to pick out a special gown for the ball.  Oh boy, we tried on TONS of dresses and I got a little glimpse of what it will be like in a few years when Alysee is shopping for her prom dress. 

Chloe fell in love with his dress purely because it had a matching dress for her doll.  She tried on many other dresses that were beautiful but in the end she chose this dress.  At first I was trying to sway her opinion a bit but then I thought back to how much I would have loved a matching dress with my favorite doll when I was younger.  You're only a little girl once and it was pretty wonderful to see her in heaven!

 We went earlier in the day to get her hair cut again as it had been since October since her last (and first big cut).  Chloe has some pretty amazing eyes!

 Oh my, Alysee was on cloud nine!  She tried on at least thirty dresses but knew even before putting on this dress that it was made for her (and it turns out three other girls that were at the dance).  It was a little more than I was planning on spending but with Alysee's weekly babysitting job she had no problem paying the difference.

 Aunti Emi helped with her hair.  She felt like a million bucks!!!  Just the way a girl ought a feel!

 Sweet sisters!

 Daddy was a little tired as he had been at a church overnight-er with a bunch of crazy girls that stayed up all night.  After a little nap he put on the outfit Alysee picked out for him.

Lucky for us, the Andersens ended up coming into town last minute and were able to join in on the evening of fun.

 I made all the girls (and Daddies) corsages and gave them all manicures.

 What lucky girls I have to be so loved by their Shining Knight!

The carriages first stop was to New York Teriyaki for dinner.

Everyone danced their hearts out, played some fun little carnival games, and dined on ice cream.  So glad it was such a special night for the girls and Birch!

Bring it on 2014!!!

Bowling is such a great family activity!  It's great for all ages and ever since we found the ghetto bowling alley it isn't too expensive either.

Now that's a lot of footsies!!!

It's all our goal to beat Daddy someday...didn't happen this time, though.

Look at the form of that girl!

Alex has been going bowling with his scout troop and has picked up some great techniques.  It's so weird to watch a lefty do things.

Coop

Chloe had more fun trying to find all the rotten candy out of the broken down vending machines.

Alysee

The rest of the night was real memorable as we ate dinner, watched a family movie, and then we were all in bed by 9:30 pm.  A real party!

The Not So Memorable but Defintely Not Unforgetable Christmas Trip

We were all loaded and driving by 1 pm Christmas day to Grannie's house.

Alex and Tyler received a camera for the two of them to record all their memories this summer so Tyler did a great job documenting our trip.

Uncle Brenty and Kelly

Grannie's putting together her present from us -- Three Peas in a Pod in Nauvoo

The next morning most all the families headed to Mount Spokane for a skiing adventure.  Aunti Annie was super awesome and borrowed gear for almost all the family.  Everyone had a great day despite the frigid temperatures.  Chloe and I stayed back and played with some of the other cousins at the Children's museum.

Tyler feeling his awesomeness!

I understand Coop was a speed demon by the end of the day -- no fear just plowing straight down the mountain.

Nate and cousin Addi on the lift -- Nate is a good little skier.

This was only Alysee's second time skiing but she skied like a pro.

Hard to beat spending the day with favorite cousins on the mountain!

Alex made this sweet video of the fun day skiing; click here http://youtu.be/Av7IaKGOXl4

This picture summarizes the rest of the trip for most of us -- barfing and hanging out on the toilet.  Chloe had had the bug earlier in the week but when she seemed fine we decided to head to Spokane.  By Thursday night I was feeling miserable and it didn't take long for several others to join in on the barfing fun.  It put a major damper on the funness!

On the drive home Birch started feeling nasty so I took over driving (a big deal at our house).  About half way home I ran over something and thought little of it until twenty minutes from town the car started having a scary temper tantrum ON THE HIGHWAY with ME BEHIND THE WHEEL.  Thankfully the angels were watching over us and I pulled over safely to find we had a major flat tire. 

Birch was real thrilled to unload a bunch of the luggage from the car to get to the tools and spare tire and then lay his sickly body on the cold pavement.  Alex did a good job assisting while the rest of us stayed warm in the car.

Tyler's face summarizes the rest of Christmas break for our family.  Barfing...feeling better...and then someone else moaning next to the toilet.  It was real fun!

Merry Christmas from the Dittos!

Santa Has Arrived!!!

Lots of hugging Christmas morning!!!

Alex and Tyler received a really unique way of figuring out what their joint present was this year...a custom puzzle they had to put together.

After some spiritual prompting I received earlier this fall we decided to send Alex, Tyler, and Grannie on a trip to Independence, Nauvoo, and St. Louis.  We're planning on this happening this July.  Birch and I really feel that this trip will help cement their love of the gospel and the early church foundations.

Christmas zooms by at our house when you start at 7 am with stockings, presents, cleaning up, a big brunch, taking down the Christmas tree, and then loading the car to head to Grannie's house.  The good part about it all is that when we return from our trip the kids are super excited to play with their presents!  Fun times!!!

On the Eve of Christmas

We didn't let anyone down with the Christmas Eve festivities this year.  Gingerbread house decorating, friends, smorgasbord of delicious foods, talent show, and the nativity were all happening at our home.

Let see...Birch requested Mango Salsa, Sara made homemade pizza, Alex dined on fine cheeses and crackers, Tyler requested meatballs, Alysee wet our pallets with Italian Sodas, Nate brought in the tropical side with fresh shrimp and cocktail sauce, Coop kept it real with spicy boneless chicken wings, and Chloe kept us nutty with pistachios.  We had about ten other great additions brought in from the Finch and Jensen families that joined us this year.

This was a real memorable treat...Alysee and Nate performing "What's that smell?"

Chloe showing off her piano talent taught from piano teacher Alysee.

Alex dusted off his trumpet that makes its' debut each Christmas Eve.  We all laughed because he had to go dig up his retainer because the last time he played the trumpet he was wearing his retainer and now he found he couldn't play without it.

Daddy/Daughter musical number.

Tyler and Nate with that 2013 Human Pretzel routine.

Remembering the good ol' newlywed years Birch and I sang, "I'll have a Blue Christmas."

Chloe got a little stage fright while singing.  We missed out totally on Coop's talent this year as he joined on on the stage fright -- it was a bummer because his dance routine was unforgettable!!

My talent was designing this print (replicating it off of something else I had seen) and getting it printed for FREE -- the talent of copying and good deals.

Chloe was thrilled when she pulled the part of "Mary" out of the hat.  Her husband, Joseph was played by Alex this year.

Our wiseman -- Coop and Alysee

The whole 2013 Nativity Cast

I know by now you're really jealous that you were not with us Christmas Eve night.  Never fear we recorded the fun right here:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhE5d8vxosU&list=UUJNS04EBDgXey9WL-P75KgA&feature=share