Ringing in the NEW YEAR!

I have a BUNCH of kids, but they're great. 2012... here we come, ready or not!

We had a rockin party on new years eve... until exactly 9 pm, when half of us including me and Dan were sawing logs on the couch. I think only Grandma Brinton and Elena made it all the way till midnight. Uncle Drew put on a fireworks show for us, and we ate chinese food till we were sick. Then we played bored, I mean.. board games. :)


We go to the zoo alot. We decided to celebrate the new year at the zoo today... but everyone else had the same thing in mind. I believe all of Phoenix.. and their dogs... and their cats visited the zoo today. Thats okay, we still had loads of fun.


Elena... you are just too cute, what would I do without you! I love her style, she picks out her clothes and does her own hair, and she will be in Young women's in 3 weeks. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN!! On sunday, she got into my closet and discovered all my old clothes that now FIT HER... HOW DID THAT HAPPEN! I can't fit into them anymore.... :( when did that happen.... dang

Fun day at the zoo... as usual
2012....... wow!

Tapatio Cliffs Resort

This is our second getaway ever that Dan and I have taken without the kids. Its a resort in Scottsdale called Tapatio Cliffs. We spent alot of time swimming, biking, and eating great food! The bike and hiking trails here are fabulous, we loved it!! We only went for one night, Dan's parents and my parents were so nice to watch the kids for us.






YES, we went swimming on December 31st. This is why I love Arizona with all my whole heart. It is paradise... at least my paradise!

Picacho Peak

I LOVE THIS MOUNTAIN. Actually I hate it. It is my 3rd time up- a hard and challenging and rotten and unforgiving and totally worth it hike. This year my Dad and Arlene came, I doubted that they would make it to the top, BUT THEY DID! Also, RIo and Lillian and their girls, Uncle Drew, me, Dan, Elena and Sierra all made it to the top. What a group. The girls just skipped their way up, and me and my parents were the last ones to the top. We barely survived, I am SO out of shape right now. I think we did this hike on December 28th.


Here's the rat pack, at the very tippy top of the mountain, WE DID IT!

Dan... you are SO COOL!
If you know Dan then you will know he is not serious.... what a handsome nerd!

Ever been girl trapped... you will with this group!

Lillian and Rio's family is so cute, we love that they bought a house in AZ!

Here are some funny clips of us at the mountain.

Christmas 2011

We had ALOT of people here in Arizona visiting for Christmas this year. The month went by so quickly, we've had so much fun. This is Christmas eve, Grandma opening her b-day gifts (cuz its her b-day as well). This only shows half the people that were there.

Grandma bought the girls gingerbread house kits this year. They had so much fun decorating and eating them!


On Christmas eve, we really put on a great nativity cantata. Grandma Brinton made up the program and songs, it was really wonderful. I wish it would have lasted longer. Maysa is an angel. (She is actually a wolf in angel's clothing) JUST KIDDING, she is a sweetheart.

Drew, Kaden and Jacob as the wisemen.

Kristina and Jonathon as Mary and Joseph. Jasper as baby Jesus playing with the star. We were going to have 2 baby Jesus's but Jayden decided he would go to bed early, so Jasper had the honors. He just loved being "adored" by all his cousins, it was so cute.

Chanel, Elena and Paris as the shepherds.


I gave up trying to convince Dan not to do this. He did it with Elena, Sierra, Maysa, now the twins. I just sit back and laugh at his parents freaking out. Cuz I use to be the one freaking out, now I just relax and nervously enjoy the show. Well.... enjoy, not sure about that!


My cousin's wife sent these cute little hats for the twins to wear on Christmas day, they look so cute with their ears poking out like elves.


Christmas morning was so much fun. Dan had the twins stockings completely emptied before I even came downstairs, so when I got there, they were going to town chewing on all the new little rattlers. They were in toy heaven.

Twins first christmas, it was a good one!!

Here is me and my nephew Kaden playing some Christmas duets that night. Give us a break, this was all sight reading. Lots of fun, Kaden is the one that sounds really good.

Ostrich ranch

Seriously, we love this place. This time was fun cause Becky and Bryces family came, Lillian and Rio's, Drew, and Grma and Gpa. I think everyone enjoyed the ostriches and the birds the best. The birds were really hungry so they just landed all over us, wanting to eat the nectar cups in our hands. It was so cute, the kids just squeeled. I had a bird land on my head and it was such a funny feeling. Several of our group had bird plop on their arms by the time we left. Oh well, it was so much fun.













 

Family Pictures

Wow, this was such a fun day. The pictures turned out a little brighter than I'd like, but overall we were pretty happy with them. Took them at Villago park. I love that place!