We are back from our 3 week Christmas brake. The first couple weeks we were in California with the Osbornes to spend Christmas with them. The last week of the break we spent in Utah.
One of my favorite parts from our trip to California was all the competitions. Here are the competitions we did: dodge ball, wiffle ball, gingerbread houses, ping pong, and mario kart. It definitely made for a lot of FUN! Warning this is a huge post, and I promise I even tried to narrow the pictures down, but since it's my blog I can have as many pictures as I want...right?
Dodge Ball
One day we met a couple families from their ward at the church and played some dodge ball.
Puppies & Story Time
Steph & Chuck
Matt, Steph, Rusty, and Chuck (Brooklynn LOVED these dogs, she could chase them around all day).
Story time was always entertaining. I don't know who it was more entertaining for Brooklynn or Derek and I. You should hear all the funny voices Oma & Opa can do. Now I know where Derek get's it. It's quite the talent.
Gingerbread House Competition
This is not your regular gingerbread house competition. We are teamed up into couples except Derek's two youngest siblings there a team. Derek's parents provide the frosting and graham crackers. They give us 10 dollars to go to the store and get candy and whatever else we might want to use for the gingerbread house. Line up the cars, put the timer to 1 hour exactly, and then the competition begins. Last time Derek and I did this we were clearly in last place so we had to prove ourselves this year. This year there was a theme, and we didn't know it until the competition began...the theme was OSBORNIA.
Ready...get set...GO!!!!!!
and 1st place goes to us!!!
Here are all the contestants and the gingerbread houses. Everyone did a great job! The neighbors next door were the judges.
The next day the boys and Karly demolished the gingerbread houses with a bowling ball and a whiffle ball bat (I think they might have had more fun doing that than the actual making of the gingerbread house).Wiffle Ball Competition
Here we are climbing the fence to post a poster on their neighbors back fence to challenge them to a game of Whiffle Ball (ohh we're so daring:)).
Christmas Eve
I love Christmas Eve! It was a wonderful time to spend with family and focus on Christ. I especially enjoyed the program Derek's parents provided.
Brooklynn in her adorable little Christmas PJ's, and the Santa hat was my favorite.
Oma & Brookie!
Woooh...Derek!
Here we are at Christmas Eve dinner!
the girls
the girls
Here is my first sewing project. Everyone always says start with pj's, because there so easy...so I did just that. Plus Derek said the only way he would wear matching pj's is if I made them. Go Blue!
Christmas Morning
Brooklynn sucking on her new bath toys from Oma & Opa.
Shaking their new guitar shakers (I am not really sure what those things are called).
This picture makes me laugh, they remind me of little boys. Playing the wii Mario Kart. This game is super fun, even though I am not good at it, it's still fun!
Hot Date
One night Derek and I were able to escape on a date just the two of us.
Old Rommies
One of my old room mates, and good friend Erika. Her and her husband Drew stopped by one evening, and it was so great to see her and get caught up.
Happy Birthday Banner
Karen (Derek's mom) and I made this birthday banner (Karly was also a huge help). Anyway, it was so fun to make. I am excited to hang it up for birthdays. I think it's a fun but simple tradition.
Karen (Derek's mom) and I made this birthday banner (Karly was also a huge help). Anyway, it was so fun to make. I am excited to hang it up for birthdays. I think it's a fun but simple tradition.
Stay tuned for Utah adventures...coming soon.
9 comments:
WHAT A COMPLETE BLAST. Man, you fit right into that family, don't you? I think the gingerbread contest looked so awesome. I love that pic of you all lined up at the garage. I am very glad you won. I love the Birthday banner too. I might have to steal that idea! Look forward to your Utah adventures. Did you get my e-mail, by the way?
Man, Derek's family knows how to have a good time! I want to be invited next year!
Looks like a ton a fun! I love the idea of all the competitions. What great memories they'll make! I'm so glad you guys had a great Christmas. =)
Wow, it looks like you had tons of fun. Derek's family is so fun, a perfect family for you to be apart of. I can't believe that ya'll got to have a 3 week Christmas vacation. I love the picture of Derek dipping you, it's so cute. I also love the pjs you made, great job. But, I can't believe you were here in UT for a whole week and didn't let me know. I would've met up w/ you! I would've loved to have seen you! I'm so sad I missed you :( Next time you better let me know! Oh yeah, how did you make the b-day banner? It's dang cute.
Your PJ pants turned out so good!! Looks like you had tons of fun. What fun Christmas traditions.
Agreed, that was a long post. But I loved every bit of it. I am SO sad that we were never able to connect. So, my cell phone hasn't been working for the past six weeks and I only just got your message two days ago. Yes, I was sad. Derek's family seems like they're up for anything. I'm glad you married into a family that is so perfect for you. I finally updated by blog. Check it out.
JANEL HALE! Oh my gosh! Remember me? Amy Eaton here. I stumbled across your blog and had to collect my (old) thoughts! I haven't seen you since high school! I also have a daughter named Brooklyn. She is 7 now. Your family is precious and I am glad to see you! (if only in the blog world :)
Hey Janel! I am using this birthday banner picture to explain to others what I am making. This one turned out so cute but I am guessing it stayed in California since you're making another one here? :) So fun. I hope mine turns out as cute as this one you posted pictures of!
WOW! You Christmas put ours to shame! It looks like you had an amazing Christmas. I am so glad! Love ya!
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