On the Eve of the New Year

This New Years Eve, Cody and Katie and the kids came down for a visit.  I didn't get any pictures of the kids, but they had a blast with confetti poppers and pop-its.  (Don't get me started on the clean-up ordeal)  

Kannon was ready to party it up!

And then he found the elastic band on his party hat...

…and it wasn't a very fun party anymore.

This has been a good year for our family.  We've grown.  In multiple ways.  We look forward to the upcoming 2015 and the possibilities and adventures it has in store for us.  Happy New Year!

Christmas Bells are Ringing

Christmas is an awesome time of year.  I loved Christmas as a kid.

I love it even more as a mom.

Christmas Eve presents:

They all knew they were pajamas…but they were still excited.

Kannon got his first present.  He didn't quite catch on to the whole unwrapping thing, so he had some help from his sisters.

There's always next year, boy!

Christmas morning is so much fun with little kids.  I love the little squeals of excitement.

This was Kannon's first Christmas.  He wasn't quite sure what to do, but he knew it was fun because his big sisters were excited about it!

Ailee waiting patiently to open presents 

Since Kannon was youngest, he got to open the first gift.  After years of pink and sparkles, we are now a family with a giant Tonka truck.

Cora was next.

Ailee couldn't stand the wait anymore, so she had to jump in to "help."

She finally got her prize.

On to Ailee...

…who is always happy with her gifts.

Maryn couldn't resist the giant box.

New luggage for this girl.  Now she just needs someplace to take it to.

And finally Kade opening up his traditional gift from the girls of baseball cards.

It was a very happy Christmas.  We are blessed beyond measure and couldn't ask for anything more.  We are especially grateful for our Savior--not just during the Christmas season, but all through the year.  

Quality Family Time. And Pictures.

Since I didn't bother with Christmas cards last year, and we'd had an addition to our little Roundy family this year, I felt the need to send out cards this Christmas.  Of course that would mean taking a family picture.  Which would require decent clothing (anything without holes or stains).  And cooperation from all parties involved.  

It's stressing me out just thinking about it all again.

But, we sucked it up for a few hours one evening and managed a few family photos.

Our lighting was a little low by the time we got to our photo spot.  Sometimes I forget just how much work it is to get 4 kids and myself looking acceptable.

I was content with our final outcome:

Of course we had to get a goofy one.

And, since we had Grandma and Grandpa around, we needed a picture of them with the kids.

Sweet little Cora

Our happy Ailee

Beautiful Maryn

And our spunky Kannon

Red Nosing the Big Guy

These two are the only two who would sit on Santa's lap this year.

(I'm lovin' the Red-Nosed-Rudolph look Cora is sporting.)

I think Maryn was "too mature" for this kid stuff, and Kannon is too scared of strangers.  It was an instant freak out when I sat him down.  I didn't feel like Santa was getting paid enough to deal with my screaming little boy.  

These two requested things like Equestria Girl Dolls and penguins (or a parrot--because I don't think we can have pet penguins in our rental.)

Giving Thanks 2014

Our family has a lot to be thankful for. We have 4 beautiful, happy and healthy children.  Kade has a successful business that he's worked hard to establish over the last 3 years.  We have a really, really nice home being built just for us a few miles away.  There are friends and family all over the world that would welcome us in a heartbeat.  Truly, we are blessed.

I was especially thankful that these jokers came to visit us for Thanksgiving this year.

They don't always look like that.  Sometimes they look normal, too.

We were so excited to have the Daytons for the week.  We spent lots of time eating junk food (and Thanksgiving food), staying up too late, and just hanging out together.

We did venture downtown to the Alamo.  Along the way, we found a statue that spoke to us.

Walking around the grounds of the Alamo on a beautiful day was nice.

Austin and Cam.  It's pretty obvious that they are cool.

Throwing pennies into the fountain.

Throwing Ailees into the fountain.

I snuck in a picture with my little monkeys.

Kannon had the best babysitter while they were here.

Austin and Jill

Kannon on a cannon.  It had to be done.

5 kids manning the cannons.

Kevin and Jill along the river walk.

One of my more favorite pictures:

Thanksgiving Day brought us the mandatory feast (prepared by the ladies!) and some more friends, the Romneys.

Ailee, Cora, Tyler, Hudson, Emma, Maryn and McKenna at the Kid's Table:

Kannon got his own table.

Probably because he eats like this and nobody wants to sit by him.

Kade, Mike, Allyson (and Grayson), Ally, Cam, Austin, Kevin, Jill, Savannah and myself at the Big Kid's Table.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family and friends.  I couldn't have imagined it any other way!

Party Like You're Four

I wish I could freeze this kid to make her stay little.

Cora is a bit of a free spirit.  She LOVES people.  I don't think she has ever met someone who isn't a friend.

But all little girls have to grow up.

Which is probably why we have blogs, and pictures, and baby books to remember them as sweet little four year olds when they have turned into punk teenage kids.

Presents all ready to be opened.

And a deep breath…

…to blow out that candle.

Of course, unwrapping presents is always fun.

And who doesn't need big sisters to help?

Riding around the house on her new Razor with Ailee trailing behind like a lost puppy.

And the party ends with some ice cream cake!

Happy 4th Birthday, sweet girl! Our family wouldn't be complete without you!