Christmas eve

Like always we did our big dinner and festivities on Christmas Eve. We ate, did the Nativity, and opened white elephant gifts. The kids had a blast and it was fun to see a lot of my cousins that night too.

Boulder City Santa Train

We did the Santa train again this year. The older kids think it's boring but the younger kids love it and it's only $5 a person. You can't beat that. This year was the Zockoll side for Christmas. It was fun to have most of my siblings there. Adam and his family couldn't make it because he works retail and couldn't get time off. My kids really missed having theirs there. Of course we missed Adam and Lindsay too. We were busy doing fun things with cousins. Everyone came on the train this year. It was a good time.

Samantha's Birthday

We of course had donuts for her birthday breakfast. Sammy is our only child who sleeps in so we had to wake her up. I love her just woken up swollen face.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Girl parties are so much fun! So easy. You have crafts, food ,and makeup and you are set. This year Sammy wanted a sleepover but since we decided not to do sleepovers I told her we could do a PJ party. In the end we came up with a Barbie PJ Party. We did breakfast for dinner, pin the bow on the Barbie, painted nails, and did some crafts. It was perfect and Sammy had a blast.

I can't believe my little girl is 7. She's going to be an amazing 2nd mom to this baby. Miss Samantha is:
-feisty( I will take full credit for that. She's just like me and now I know how my mom felt when I was younger)
-she's a tall girl. I believe she is the tallest girl in her class and there maybe 2 boys taller than her.
-she's very timid and shy at first
-She just started volleyball and is really enjoying it. This is her first sport. I actually forced her to do it and I am so glad I did.
-she's my artist and music girl. She could do crafts for hours and is actually really good at drawing.
-she loves music and is currently in an awesome music class that she loves.
-she can be a tomboy but so girlie at the same time
-she loves fashion and loves putting together new outfits.
-she is doing amazing at school
-she has a good group of friends and wants to be with them all the time

 Nick and Noah had the hots for the Barbie

Brave Girl

Sammy has been asking me if she can get her ears pierced for the last 2 birthdays. I really wanted her to be mature enough to clean them herself. Originally we said 8 because that's the age I had to be when I was growing up, but I'm a softy and I gave in. I felt like she was mature enough to do all the cleaning and take care of them.

We went a couple days before her birthday. You could tell she was nervous but she was so brave and went through with it. She loves them and can't wait to change them out. She is doing awesome at taking care of them. It's probably because I told her if these get infected and we have to take them out she's paying for it the next time she does. I can't believe how expensive getting your ears pierced is.
 Before the piercing:

 After: She was trying very hard not to cry.

Holiday Randomness

We had a busy busy December like everyone else had. I think we had something every night. Practices, performances, birthdays, etc. In between those things we managed to squeeze a few fun things in and take some cute pictures of my kiddos.

 Nick really wanted to smash his face in my leftover cake. Why not?

 So he did.

 Nicholas wears basketball shorts or pants every single day. He surprised me one morning before school when he came out like this. I loved it and I think he felt pretty cool. I'm also pretty sure he kept his sleeves rolled up like that all day.

 We went to the Winterfest at City of Henderson They had a lot of fun free things to do.

 My mom got Parker this blazer at Savers. He loved it. He's my little fashion boy.

 Face painting

 Sammy and Parker went shooting with Luke. I was a little nervous but they really loved it and can't wait to go again.

 Noah's present to us from nursery. Too cute.

 Parker shooting.

 For about 2 weeks Parker would climb into bed with Nick and we would find them like this. So sweet.

Noah woke up early one morning so he jumped in bed with me and luckily fell asleep. I love pictures of him sleeping.

Happy 33rd to me!

I feel like the last 8 years I have either been barely pregnant with baby so feeling really sick, just had a baby so feeling so not myself, or just pregnant and feeling gross and fat. When Luke gave me my card the one line that stuck out to me was that he promised this would be the last birthday I would be pregnant. Hip hip hooray!! We just celebrated it by going to CPK and being alone so we could actually talk to each other.

 This was the best card ever. The kids went crazy and stole this card from me.

Celebrating the big 33.

Nick's first piano recital

Early in December Nick had his first piano recital. He started up in September and really loves it. He said he wanted to play guitar but I told him he had to take piano first and then he can do guitar. He really picked up on piano and practices everyday without me asking him. I'm hoping he keeps it up, we shall see.

He played 3 songs. Jungle bells, Good King Wenceslas, and Row Row Row Your Boat. He did great and had the cutest smile on his face the whole time he played. I tried to get a picture of him before he played but he wouldn't look at me. Little stinker!