These are from January, another trip to Vancouver to say goodbye to our friends Rob and Laura who are in Mexico.
Brian and Rob (Rob asked me not to put this picture on facebook, I don't think he realizes I have a blog:) Ok he probably has no idea what a blog is.

What silly kids. We will miss them, but maybe one day we can all go see them in Mexico??
Blake being silly in the car.
SWIMMING, they love it
What Blake does best in a pool, well sitting in the hot tub with mom.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

We had a stupendous time in Vancouver on New Year's eve again this year. The kids celebrated New Year's on New York time and went to bed at a decent hour. So us parent's could play some fun games of our own. We can't seem to get enough of our friends. I can't count the number of times we have been to Vancouver in the past 2 years since we have left. But when you have such amazing friends, you just can't stay away. We are so thankful for our friends. SOOO excited to go to MEXICO with them in 2 weeks!! I mean what kind of friends, let you invite your other friends to come hang out at their house???? These ones!! They are the best!! But for New Year's we got to hang out with their fun new friends and their cute boys. There were 5 boys and Aly. But she did fine being the only girl.
Braidy and Rachel, Steve and Nicole, Brian and I (Aly taking our picture)
The girls and Braidy's little weanie?? No one will ever understand Brian and Braidy's sense of humor. They are quite unique men, but we love them.
Rachel in her Cougar snuggy. I had to take a picture of the snuggy.
Braidy and Brian
Rachel drinking out of her straw, she probably shouldn't have saved it from Jody's Bachelorette Party, 9 years ago. Just kidding she got it from some strangers on Halloween, right??
Aly probably trying to get away from all the boys. She was the only girl, amongst 5 boys. They said the boys were different with one girl in the mix?? She is so quiet who would have guessed she had such influence??
The boy's celebrating New Year's on New York time!!
More loud celebrating

The kids playing with Blake's manly tool box craft kit from his Aunt Jen. They love doing crafts and luckily they don't remember making them because half of them end up as fire starting paper.

More Christmas Time:)

Becky and I with our dad:)
Brian's side of the family Christmas. I did not do a great job at documenting this Christmas. Sorry I should have taken more pictures . But here is a combination of Gramma and Pappas, and Grandpa Peters.


The cousins enjoying their new princess tent.
The umbrella was a hit for Aly. Esmeralda seemed to like it as well.
She looks so cute under the umbrella in her jammies.

Christmas Time

This Christmas we spent a lot of time playing games. It was FUN. We love playing games and so we enjoyed doing it with our families.
Brian took some time off to work on our kitchen. I don't think it made for a great vacation. He was so busy trying to work on it. So when he wasn't working on it he felt guilty that he should be working on it. We didn't have a sink for a week which was interesting to say the least. But the kitchen is coming along beautifully. I love it!

These pictures are from the Laughlin Christmas.

The kiddos wrapping Esmeralda's present!!
Hanging with their daddy before bed.
The Richin's family came and stayed the night. The men had a bonfire, drank beer and shot guns in our backyard. I think it was an all time perfect guy weekend. Rachel and I took the kids to the park and it was freezing. Our kids play so well together now that they are bigger. There is only tattling every so often; or a big kid sits on a little one.

Cash the cat we only had for 2 weeks.

Cash

So this stray cat wandered to our house. Yes, out in the middle of nowhere. We think it was an irresponsible neighbor's kitten. Anyways, the kids loved this cat and they really wanted to keep it. I saw dollar signs for getting it spayed/neutered etc, and more work for me. So when the kitten was so sadly infested with fleas; I hurriedly cleaned her up and put her on craigslist. The kids still talk about Cash and how they wish we still had her. I am not sad at all. But now the kids have some cute pictures to remember her by.

The big 3-0

So my best friend from 3rd grade, Stacy and I just celebrated turning 30. Her parents had a little party for Stacy at their house. It was great, we laughed a lot! They are like my 2nd family. I have known them forever.
Stacy and Sherrie, you can tell Stacy is excited to turn 30, hahha
Her cake
Blowing out the candles

Sherrie and Sonny enjoying themselves!!

The next weekend Stacy and I treated ourselves to a facial in Portland. It was very relaxing!! Then we went shopping in Portland. I can't believe we have been friends forever. Here's to the next 30. HAHA