New Year's Eve 2016

First New Year's Eve Dance for Jenna and her friends, and the annual game night for Heather and her friends.

As I reflect on the year 2016, my heart is full. We've had an activity-filled year and although we've been busy, we have tried to balance with fun, relaxation, celebrations and lots and lots of love. This year included my callings with the Jubilee and the Camp food committee which took many hours of planning and practice, Jenna graduating from middle school, starting high school and growing in her volleyball skills, Heather having success in track and building deeper friendships as she ended her junior year and began her senior year, and a lot of fun activities and family time. We have been blessed beyond measure. Here's to a healthy and happy 2017!

New Year's Eve

Haley, Kenzie, Heather and Madi

Heather had friends over for New Year's Eve. They played games, Jenna and Kelly wrestled, and we all shared a celebratory toast as we rang in the new year. Can't wait to see what fun 2016 will bring!

New Year's Eve

The girls had friends over for dinner on 12/30, and then for games and celebrating on New Year's Eve We've had a few New Year's Eves with family or friends here, and it's so fun to ring in the new year with people we love.  Here comes 2015!

New Years Eve!

New Year's Eve was pretty special this year.  Because of Jeremy and Katee's wedding gift being a trip to Disneyland, Kim, Carrie and their children were all coming to Southern California and due to arrive at our house before midnight.  Joanna took the kids to the beach in the early part of the day (Heather had had stomach flu through the night, but recovered quickly), and after dinner we hung out, Face Timed with Aunt Michelle and kept a toasty fire going.  Sariah even helped with the wood and cozied up next to the fire when it wasn't being stoked.  Around 11PM, the rest of the family arrived:  KC and Liz (Kim's oldest), Kim and her two youngest, Connor and Nick, Carrie and her kids, Brody and Brook, and Aunt Margie.  Grandpa Ron was already here, and we had a rip roaring ringing in of the new year!  We had a blast visiting and being silly before heading to bed.  All of the kids, except for Heather, slept on the living room floor.  We were tight on space, but huge on love.  What a great way to ring in the new year!!!

New Year's Eve

After a yummy lunch with Jo at Ruby's, we welcomed friends for New Year's Eve.  Don and LeAnn and Seth and Linsday came to play games.  We gave Mexican Train a few rounds before switching to Loaded Question.  We counted down with the ball in Times Square and had our traditional toast with Martinelli's.  When Joanna returned from her friends' house, she drove us over to the Holbrook's home so we could bang some pots and pans and wish our dear neighbors a happy New Year.  Sadly, I didn't take any photos--I was too busy shaking my noise maker.  Happy New Year!  Here comes 2013!!!

Visiting with Jo-Jo 12/29 - 12/31

My cousin, Joanna, came over from Arizona for a New Year's Eve weekend visit.  We made homemade pizza's, painted fingernails (she and Jenna matched), and went to lunch at Ruby's on the pier.  After our lunch at Ruby's,s he spent New Year's Eve with some friends, and we said good-bye on New Year's Day.  It was so awesome to have her visit!

New Year's Eve

The fog settled in early as we prepared for our New Year's Eve festivities. Kelly and the girls made salsa, and our friends Trish and Smith joined us for games. Heather's friend Grace came to hang out too. We snacked, played board games and laughed a ton. All the girls participated in at least one dance on XBox Kinect, but the little dudes kept going like Energizer bunnies! As the ball dropped, we counted down, popped our poppers and toasted with our traditiona. Happy New Year!!!

New Year's Day & Weekend

We all got some good rest after our late night party on 12/31. The girls and I went over to the park with Jo, Mike, Kasey and Cole for a few hours while Kelly got in a few games of volleyball at the beach. When we got back, Kelly peppered with the girls. After showers and sending Jo and Mike off to their overnight get-away, we played Wii, made homemade tacos, and then spent the rest of the evening with back-to-back Harry Potters (3 and 4). We all hit the hay at around 10:30 p.m.

Sunday morning found us saying good-byes to the Palmatiers and heading off for 11:00 a.m. church. We are VERY happy about 11:00 a.m. church! We had so much fun with our family and were so glad they decided to spend their New Year celebration with us. Here we go with a new year full of adventure!

Happy New Year 2011

Can you believe it's already time to celebrate the new year???

After our bike ride afternoon and a little grocery shoppin', we sat down to some serious New Year's Eve game playing fun. Mexican Train was our game of choice while the kiddos played around the house.

Our good friend, Kathy Busby, came over to play games with us.

To our surprise and delight, Michelle and Sarah Holbrook dropped by! We've spent several New Year's Eve's with the Holbrooks, and it was seriously heart-warming to see these two on our doorstep.

It's just more fun when Kelly is playing with us.

Just before twelve, we turned on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Jenna was getting so excited she couldn't contain herself.

At twelve on the dot we exploded the poppers (thanks Michelle!) and had a toast.

Happy New Year 2011!!!