Tea for Three

{January 25th, 2012}

Addie had been wanting to have a Tea Party for awhile. We finally planned it! It was low key and just basically a play date. She invited her best two little friends and we had Tea for Three (plus Carlee!) It was fun to see them be total girls! I wanted to take a picture of each of them but Kate was not having it, so Sadie, Addie and Carlee is all I got. They lifted their pinkies when they drank their "Tea" (really water) and loved all the finger foods we had rounded up from the pantry. Girls are so much fun!

Christmas

Christmas morning was fun! We were up early because we had to be to church at 9:00 am. Everyone was happy that Santa brought them just what they wanted. We went to church and then headed to Grandma Frei's after. I can't believe I didn't snap one picture of anything during the day. I must have been like a walking zombie because of the lack of sleep I had gotten the night before! ;) We also went to Grandpa Dennis' and Grandpa Ken and Grandma Katie came and visited us at our house. That was really nice of them because Carlee really needed a nap!

That evening we went to Grandpa and Grandma Bowler's for dinner. It was a full day, to say the least, but a good day! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We started partying on Christmas Eve a little earlier than normal this year because it was a Saturday. Grandma had her party at 2ish and then we went to the program after. I love Grandma's party, Christmas Eve just wouldn't be the same if I didn't have a Deviled Egg and her Layered Green Salad.

I love this picture of us! It makes me remember that carrying around my camera is worth it. I know I am going to cherish this picture for a very long time, 4 Generations of Reber women. I love it.

The Program is always an adventure! I would say I hate it, but then I remember that my most vivid memories as a child during Christmas were at this program. So, that being said it was an great! ;) We got through it and the kids loved it! They were all thrilled to see Santa and get their gift. Addie liked her doll, Preston loved his Spy Watch and Landon especially loved the Skills Hoop Santa brought him. Just what they wanted! Love it when Santa gets it right once and in awhile! :)

Carlee on the other hand.... thrilled was NOT the word that best describes her. ;)

We headed to Grandma Frei's house after the program and partied a little more. It was a busy night. The kids were pretty anxious to get home to bed so Santa could come. We read "Twas the night before Christmas," snapped a picture....

 and it was off to bed.

Only Landon couldn't sleep! I think he finally got a couple hours of sleep around 1:00ish. Wow, it was a night to remember. He came in and asked if Santa came every 30 minutes or so starting around 3:00. So that saying, "And to all a Good Night!" Lets just say it didn't happen that way at our house this year!  Good Times! :)

Bowler Christmas Party

 {December 18, 2011}

The annual Bowler Christmas Party took place once again. It was a fun night with cookie frosting and the nativity played out. We also wrote what our gift to Christ would be again this year. My goal is to attend the temple once a month. We'll see if I can do it?! Hopefully! Gavin was sick with the flu so he didn't make it this year to the party. I love my family and am grateful to mom for keeping these traditions going. I have good memories at these parties and I know my kids do too.

Link to "Not Our Finest Moment"

I recently posted a post about "Not Our Finest Moment." Some have thought I deleted it,  I didn't. It is just posted back when it happened. Here is the link to that post. Sorry for the confusion.

Gingerbread Houses

Making Gingerbread Houses is always a fun project. It has evolved over the past few years. It started as all of us making one house, to now everyone wanting to create their own. This year I just bought graham crackers and hot glued each house together and then they decorated it. This was a lot better on the budget than buying 4 kits. :) I think they turned out really cute. Kids are creative, it was fun to watch the process take place. Carlee loved that candy would fall on the floor. She turned into our human vacuum and consumed most of it! :) Fun night! Thanks Grandpa Dennis for keeping this tradition alive.

Baking Day

Another successful baking day is in the books. I think this was our best year yet! We started early and ended late, but we made 4 huge batches of cinnamon rolls, two batches of divinity, caramel popcorn (Addie's favorite, she ate it all day!) and a whole bunch of Toffee. Garrett came later in the day and decided we needed more toffee, so look at the batch he made! What is that saying? "Go big or go home?" That was Garrett for sure! He looks good in his Pampered Chef Apron, don't you think?? I think we went through something like 16+ cubes of butter. If that doesn't clog your arteries thinking about it, I don't know what will! :) It sure was good though! I am so glad we do this every year, I think it is a great tradition!