Ringin in the New Year

We are a boring bunch. But there are some that think we are fun and will hang out with us.
Like the Hansen bunch. The kids invited us to join them for a game or two of bowling. They are so good with the boys and it is always a nice break for Ty and I.
Here is miss Abi lovin on Orrin

Aubri bowling with Vivin

and a nice no face shot of the crew

The twins helped everyones score in one way or another. They love the concept of throwing a ball and not getting yelled at when it knocks something over. Tallon came in with a 74, Ty with 113, and I broke a hundred,.. barely...with a 102!
That was about all the fun we were up for until the Dana clan called and invited us to come down for some homemade pizza and games. We ate and laughed and tired out before midnight so home we came.
There you have it. Ringing in the New Year with us!

A Miracle for Christmas

Meet our Christmas Miracle

Aren't those cheeks to die for!

Walter James Martinz was born on December 24th, 6 weeks early, and healthy as a bug. His mommy and daddy made the drive across Wyoming for Christmas and spent the entire holiday at the hospital,...what do you do?! He is perfect. You would never guess him as a preemie, he weighed in at 6lbs 6oz! How thankful we are that he is healthy and strong and home from the hospital today!!!

Snow Day

It has been so nice having the week off. The sun was shining this afternoon so we made the best of it. There is no better entertainment than a four wheeler and sled. The boys laughter filled the air and my heart. I love watching my children play.

Sheep

I ended up with the afternoon off of work so we loaded up the boys and drove up Snake River to see if we could get a good look at the goats and the sheep. The goats were way up in the cliffs so only Tyler and I got a look at them, but the sheep were right on the road.



The boys just loved this. It has been a few years since we have timed it right to see the sheep. Tallon I think was 3 and he doesn't really remember it. And this was a first for the twins. Always a fun sight.

An added Bonus

My sister Jullie and her baby Branson, joined Van, Tallon and I on our trip to Jackson to go see my sister Jessie and her new baby, Walter.
As we started up the canyon I made the comment that since I didn't have my good camera we would probably see the Mountain Goats.
Sure enough, there they were at the 2nd turnoff.
Sorry the pics aren't the best, enjoy anyways.

If you care enough to count, there were 10.
It has been about 4 years since I have got to see the Mountain Sheep that come down into the Hoback and since our luck was looking good, we made the extra 10 min drive and this is what we found...

both in one day!! Awesome.
The only kicker was that I didn't have all my boys with me. They would have loved it. Ty was an angel and kept the twins and Camilla so that Jullie and I could enjoy our trip. Maybe one day this week we will try our luck and see if we get lucky again.

Dana Party

Tonight was the last party of the year for our family.
It was time for the Dana family to get together.
Sadly Jessie, Jason, and baby Walter are still in the hospital, so we were a few shy of the whole crew.
Mom never disappoints when it comes to eating at her house. This year she did BBQ Ribs, about 10 different salads, and mmm yum desserts.
I think half the fun of the Dana parties is seeing whats for dinner.

Jace, Grandma Thelma, and Holt waiting for the fun to begin.

We drew names as usually and all the gifts were a hit.
I think it is safe to say that Tallon loved his gift from Aunt Jerrie.

Vivin loved his dart gun from uncle Jason.

Orrin unwrapped a bow and arrow from Anna and loved it.

Tyler stayed entertained by entertaining baby Branson

Tallon makes opening gifts a blast. I think underwear would bring just as big of a smile.

Grandpa and Grandma bought the older Grandkids coats, which at our house were very much needed. Plus they supplied all the kids with 5-6 new shirts for school and some fun treasures.
Vivin showing us his coat...

because he refused to be part of the group photo.
Anna, Evie, Holt, Tallon, Clancy, Camilla, Jace, and Orrin.

Van with his loot for the evening.

For the 3 babies Mom made quits and gave them some cozy pj's.
Mom with Jennie's baby Kristi, My baby Van, Dad with Jullie's baby Branson

We girls have had our babies pretty close together (12 in 8 years, 9 of them in the last 4 years) which makes for close cousins.
Here is miss Anna lovin on Van

Dana Family Christmas Party 2010!

Christmas 2010

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year.
We kept busy with parties, activities, and more parties.
I was glad to finally come home and do "our" families Christmas.
This year we opened our Christmas book for the year, Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle, and enjoyed reading it as a family. Next we watched Joy to the World, and then read the account of our Savior's birth from The Book of Mormon.
Truly we felt the love of the season in our home, it was wonderful.
With the boys all dressed in matching pj's (thanks to grandma terrie)we were ready for bed.

The excitement of the night was so magically for our 3 boys. They talked about what Santa would bring them, how much food his reindeer would eat, and how they weren't tired AT ALL!!

Sleep finally found our home and was ended short when Tallon crawled in our bed at 4:30 wondering if Santa had come. We made him stay in bed with us until 5:45 and then we gave in and woke the other 3 boys up.
They were excited about the presents Santa had left for them...

and loved that Great Grandma Melanie came to open presents.

Tyler with is new wool coat! He also was spoiled with a calender and photo book about his Grandpa Taylor.

Tallon's loot consisted of: a drum set, movies, snowshoes, a leatherman, hunting clothes and movie, a football player, a new gun,Scentsy lion, slippers with new pj's, a new backpack, a coyote call, and a big game calendar.

Orrin and all of his loot: snowshoes, a new gun, backpack with a sleeping bag, hunting clothes and movie, Scentsy elephant, slippers and pj's, Leapfrog toy, Toy Story 3, and new truck and motorcycle.

Vivin's loot: backpack with sleeping bag, guns, truck and motorcycle, snowshoes, Shrek 4, slippers and pj's, Scentsy monkey, Leapfrog toy, and hunting clothes and movie.

Van totally got spoiled but doesn't have many pics for proof. That is what happens when you sit by the person running the camera. Van's treasures were: hunting shirt, music table, "tuggles", stuffed donkey, balls, wheeled animals, and a Scentsy lamb.

Mom was super spoiled with a new calendar, new picture frames for family pics, new socks, and 2 beautiful sweaters!
After all the excitement and play this is how our wonderful Christmas day ended...

do you think Scentsy is looking for some cute advertisement?!

7th Month

Anyone that has spent anytime around Van knows that he is ALWAYS this happy!

Because he is 7 months on Christmas Eve he gets to dress like Santa. Seriously, have you ever seen a cuter Santa?!
Van has had a great month.
He finally started sleeping through the night! He doesn't do it every night but the nights that he does are heaven.
He hasn't really cared for much baby food. I am not a huge fan of baby food, it makes such a big mess, so I am still enjoying a nursing only baby.
Van discovered a sippy cup and is doing awesome. He loves it filled with water and throwing it at his brothers.
He explodes with excitement when his brothers come into the room, likes to stay up late reading books with his dad, and snuggles his mommy.
He found his excited scream and likes to use it mostly during church.
And his greatest feat for the month...

he learned to sit up!!!

The Boys with Santa

Santa came to the Dana Family party and the kids loved it...well half of my kids loved it.
Here is Van meeting Santa for the first time

Tallon making sure Santa understands: I want a DS and a drum set.

About as close as Orrin got. Safe and sound in Grandma Thelma's arms

And Vivin... Vivin was clear across the gym, safe with his Daddy and Camilla

Hansen Party

We do a Christmas Eve dinner and party each year with the Hansen family. This year everyone was able to be there which made it a lot of fun.
Carter loved that Van was Santa but was a tad bothered that he didn't have a hat, so he gave Van his for the night.

Carter was all about Santa this year. At one point he disappeared into the bedroom and came out dressed in his red pj's so he could be Santa, cute but not cute enough, so Brynja took him back to her room and helped dress him with some finishing touches. He was so funny. He laughed and laughed and thought it was great to be Santa

Instead of a gift exchange, we did white elephant gifts this year.
Tallon scored big with a stake board...

but not as big as Brynja!

Best part of this gift: it came from Grandma Mel!

Grandma and Grandad had a game of BINGO planned with prizes of $1, $2, $5, $10, and one $20.
Guess who won the 20?
Lucky little skunk

Rick and Sherri gave the kids a truly amazing gift: a book about their Granddad. Tyler spent the rest of the evening tuned out of the party and into family history.

Grandma Mel gave Tyler the coolest gift...

a letter that he wrote to Santa 15 years ago!!

We had a great time. We enjoyed each others company and laughed the night away.
In the end it was Bobby who brought the best laugh of the night

The Hansen Family Christmas Party 2010!!