Christmas, 2013

Christmas this year was a family affair. We had both families in town, and divided our time down the middle. Up to December 25th at 2:00 pm was all Harman. After 2:00, all Packers. With both families, we had 25 people in and out of the house. It worked out well. On Christmas Eve all the Harmans came over for a Christmas devotional at a neighbor's barn (a tradition in our ward) a delicious dinner of steak and salmon, Christmas Bingo (with some 'premium' prizes this year) and a sleepover. Christmas is more fun with kids, and Ava, Ella, Anna and Penny did not disappoint. Ella was especially excited to get a bike, with a bell AND a basket. She asked Santa for a bike with a bell or a basket. She could not believe that she would get both. Lucky, lucky, girl. Anna asked for Pez, watercolors and a Dreamlite. She was equally pleased to have her wish granted.

The only downside was that around 8:00 am I started feeling horribly sick. Cough, congestion, can't get out of bed sick. My mom and sisters were fantastic put me to bed while they cleaned the post-Christmas and entertained the kids, just in time for Christmas part 2 with the Packers. Doug and Janet, Brad and Alisha and Greg and Lauren arrived that afternoon and Aaron and Kendra a few days later. The kids had so much fun playing with each other, their toys, and especially their Grandma and Grandpa. Unfortunately, Anna, Greg and Lauren (and a few other kids--I can't remember which ones) caught my bug, so we weren't running on a full tank. But thankfully it was spaced out enough that we never had all of us sick at once.

a sick selfie. the best kind.

Lauren, Kate, Ella and I had a fun adventure. We took the girls to lunch and to the Nutcracker. Ella LOVED it. Asked if there were other ballets that we could watch. I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy it, but it was so much fun to see the girls enchanted by the story and the music.

And for the guys, 2014 was the year of the helicopter. There were both inside and outside helicopters to be flown. Greg mastered the weave through the kitchen light fixtures. 

(look closely and you'll see a blue and a red one)

Jamie and Ava's Memorial Day Trip to Utah

I am joining the ranks of Lazy Bloggers, aka mom's with more than one child. Not editing photos* and link-blogging. But at least we're documenting, right?

Jamie and Ava came out for 12 days in May. We lived it up. Something new every day. Jamie blogged about it beautifully here here and here (she only has one child--go figure).

*jamie did edit these photos, just for the record

Easter

This year we celebrated the fun and games part of Easter on Saturday. We didn't set out to split the festivities into two days, but that's just the way it worked out with everyone's schedules. It turned out to be a great way to celebrate. We started off with the  Alpine Easter Egg Hunt in the morning. 

Anna loved it. 

It really is beautiful here.

The anticipation

She refused to let go of her Easter bag the entire time. Give up my candy?? No way.

Then we had a little shin-dig at our house. Grandma Sue and Grandpa Paul were the stars of the show with bubbles, egg hunt and dinner. Everyone wins.

 

On Sunday I tried to impress the meaning of Easter on the girls, and soon realized how difficult the concepts of death, resurrection and atonement are for little ones. We got a little help from The Rhyme Bible, and maybe some of it sunk in. If you don't have The Rhyme Bible, and you have children, you should get it. My friend Trudy gave it to me when Ella was a babe, and it's great.  

Cousins

New Year's Eve 2012

We rung in the New Year  right this time around. A stark contrast to our usual go to bed at 10 and feel kind of lame, but kind of happy you're not going to be tired the next day. No sirree. Not this year. Good friends, fun family, lots of food, movies, fireworks and a sleepover. Happy New Year!

Our Lugano copy. So so good.

The kids feasted on pasta while we ate steak. Totally fair.

A healthy selection of drinks. Thank you Brett.

"Cupcake! Cupcake!" -Ava

These may not look like much, but they were to die for. Literally. They might take a year or two off your life. Totally worth it.

Check out the sparkly shirt. "Happy" is stitched next to the heart. We do it right, I tell you.

 You Tube'd the ball drop at 9:00. Happy New Year! No one's the wiser. I don't think Ella will fall for this one again.

Thanks Stevens, Wrides and Crosbys. Here's to a fantastic 2013!

Dranpa Paul

Last week Kimmy was in Jackson Hole doing a wedding, and at the last minute my mom decided she wanted to drive up and visit her for the weekend. I was working, and my mom had planned on having the girls that day. Never fear, Grandpa Paul saves the day! He took off work and watched both girls. They played and played and played. They even went shopping and bought matching "golf" outfits. Both girls had a great time. Thanks Dad!

July 4th

Photo Booth

(ignore my poor scanning)

My cousin Annie got married last week, and did an AMAZING job with her reception. One of the fun things she did was a photo booth. Ella loved picking out everyone's props and dressing us up. Congratulations, Annie!

Brooklyn Bridge