Happy Birthday, Alison!

My first born is TEN!

Happy Birthday Beautiful Girl!

Since today was such a special birthday; double digits! we celebrated BIG! We took Ali and a few friends to Wings and Waves waterpark. It was a great day! It was such a fun place, and the kids had a blast!

This was one happy (not so little) girl. :)

Family Date Night

Our "date" night started with dinner at Red Lobster. Ali insisted that she could eat an entire crab dinner...

She needed a lot of help cracking the crab and pulling out the meat, but eating it was no problem. Little sister was happy to help!

After dinner we went to Craft Warehouse and Dick's Sporting Goods (we split up for this part of the date!) The girls had some allowance to spend, and Merilyn found what she called the "perfect" item.

She didn't tell Daddy what she got, and when we got home she ran ahead of us and put the "poopsy" on the carpet inside the front door. When Trav walked in he began the process of freaking out, "What is this!??!" But, before he could really get worked up he heard the giggling from around the corner. We all burst out laughing, but no one could outdo the belly laugh that came from our little Merilyn. 

Snow!

We've been waiting all year to get some snow... but, I don't think it's going to happen! So, Trav decided that since the snow wasn't coming to us, we needed to go to the snow.
One afternoon we bundled up and headed to the mountain. It was great!

The girls had so much fun! Up and down the hill; Daddy was having just as much fun hooting and hollering as he came sliding down. Lots of laughs, for sure!

We went into the lodge to warm up with hot cocoa. We sat and watched the snow come down, and down, and down... we're still hoping we might get a snow day at our home!

Happy New Year!

We decided to to stay at home with just the 4 of us this year. We played lots of games, ate lots of snacks, and relaxed in our pjs. :) Nothing fancy or wild for us!

After our delicious taco dinner, (Ali's request!) the first game was the new Scooby Doo game that Mer gave Daddy for Christmas. It was a little like Jenga... and took a steady hand!

Next up was Apples to Apples (the Disney version, of course. It's one of our camping favorites!) and then Ali's new game; "Sleeping Queens." We loved this one!

Pretty soon it was time to turn on the New Year's Eve special. It was definitely different not seeing Dick Clark out there... :( Ali loved the Gangnam Style performance the best! We all boogied to that one. :) At midnight we busted out the crystal goblets and sparkling apple cider. Happy 2013!

Merry Christmas!

After opening a few presents at home...

We gathered our things and headed over to Gramma's for breakfast and more presents! 

The highlight of the day was opening a present from Grammy that had a clue in it... a clue that began a treasure hunt. The first clue led to another clue, which led to a second present; American Doll brushes, and a clue. (Hmmm...) The girls were led to the bathroom where they found American Girl outfits, and, of course, another clue. As you can see in the next photo, Ali and Natalie were starting to get an idea about what they were going to find.

Can you see Johnna holding her hands over her ears? There was quite a bit of screaming going on.

Ali was one happy girl!

For the Christmas dinner, everyone was responsible for making a dish to bring to the table. Mer was in charge of rolls, and Johnna was in charge of the green salad.

We all worked together to make a delicious Christmas dinner with all of our favorites. Ali's favorite: cranberry jello salad, Mer's: the rolls and butter. I love the turkey and mashed potatoes. :) Trav had to work, so we put together a plate for him to have later.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

After celebrating with Greg for his 40th birthday, we went up to deliver cookies to Dad's headstone. :) He always loved cookies... and the girls love leaving them so he can "share them with the deer". In fact, the deer were hanging around when we got there!

From there we went to Grandma Sandy's for dinner, presents, and a card game: "What Would You Do?" Ali loved it! When we got home Daddy and the girls made Krispy treats for Santa, and set carrots out for the reindeer.

I almost forgot! Merilyn had to get four shots on Christmas Eve morning before Greg's party. She was a little behind in her immunizations... but she was a trooper! No tears!

Breakfast with Santa

It is always such fun to watch the dancers, eat a yummy breakfast, and of course, meet Santa. 

Ali asked for an American Doll, and Mer asked for a Monster High Doll. 

We had a great day! And... we "won" a fun day at Bullwinkle's in the silent auction. Trav and Ali kept running to the auction tables to make sure we were the last name signed up on the list. They may have also signed mom's name to a few items... :)