It's a New Year!

This year wasn't to exciting due to the kiddos getting the flu from our fun, adventurous trip to Idaho. My precious little ones were on the couch from Tuesday through Thursday. Since our kiddos weren't feeling well new years eve, we picked up some Chinese and drank some Martinelli's and enjoyed a quiet night in. Jeremy and I thought we would ring in the new year with just the two of us, but Abi who wears her whole heart on her sleeve showed and told us that she was not feeling well. So while Jeremy put her in a bath the new year rang in. I walked into the bathroom to give him his new year kiss.

New Years we hung around making breakfast and moving slow. I was a little anxious to get out of the house as I had been quarantined since Monday. So we finally all got showered and dressed and headed to Fashion Place to exchange a Lego set Abigail got due to getting a duplicate. The mall was about the only thing the kids could handle to back to the house it was. We made some dinner and had a quite New Years Day in. 

Welcome 2015!

Grizzlies Game

While the kids were on school break we decided to take them to a Hockey Game.

We ate nachos, yelled at the players, watched some player score goals and the kids were tired by the third period so we headed out. Hopefully we will make it to some more before the season ends.

Winter Wonderland

We have been pretty spoiled not having any snow until Christmas. Monday came and brought a lot of snow with it. I figured I better shovel the drive way and since I was outside the kids wanted to join me and play in the snow. I got them dressed in their snow suits and out the door we went.

We played outside in the snow until Jack's friend was able to come over. I think they had a fun time.

Annual Hone Bunko Party

Ever since my grandparents passed away we have been getting together rotating between Mom's and her two sisters homes. We always get together the first Saturday after Christmas that way everyone has and idea of when the Hone Bunko party with be. This year it was held at my Aunt Jolene's House in Mackay, ID.

We decided to caravan with Brooke, Logan and Mom, however they got a head start. We finally caught up to them in Blackfoot which then the rest of our party was waiting for our arrival. For the hour and half remaining Brooke, Logan and Mom in the Jeep; Landon, Cristy and their kids in a Pilot  and us in our CRV continued the trek across the plains/dessert to the Hone Bunko Party. Since it has been a few years since a reunion and to me this kind of counts as one. 

We arrived exactly on time, but had to prepare food dishes that we brought. Now it was time for mingling, eating and getting ready for throwing those three little dice (I hope they will bring me some good luck.)

There ended up being ten bunko tables so that would equal about 40 people playing. I think this is the biggest group yet. Let the chaos begin!

Unfortunately I didn't get very many pictures, but after playing for a few house and letting all the kids exchange gifts, it was time to find out who the winner of the natural bunko's were as well as open some fun presents.

The winners of the naturals ended in a tied between Logan and Cristy (at least they kept it in the family). So to figure out who wins the pot of money they had a roll off and Cristy won. 

There was a lot of present stealing, strategizing, and good old entertainment. In the end Jeremy and I walked away with a Presto PopLite (popcorn maker, maybe Landon will let me borrow his his popcorn bowl), usually we get as many gifts as you put in, but this year my Sister Brooke really needed a Crock pot, so I stole it for her and gave it to her. 

Once the bunko and presents exchange was over it was time for desserts. Families started to disperse from the party to start heading home and we were no different, however we were going to stay in Idaho Falls at my Aunt J's house. The snow storm started coming through and instead of taking an hour and a half to get to my aunts it took us three hours.

After getting to bed late, we woke up fairly decent and had a delicious crape breakfast with eggs, bacon, and fruit. We finally got on the road about 11 and made our way back home. 

Can't wait to see everyone again next year!

Christmas Day Part 3

After visiting the South Parents, we headed over to Mom's house for the Heinrichs Christmas Party. I was worried we were running late, but we were technically on time and the first to arrive. As soon as all of us got there we rolled up our sleeves and dove in to help.

I had to sneak in some pictures of Mom's decorations. Her home always makes it feel like Christmas with her festive decor.

After the silly pictures it was time to eat. This years feast consisted of:

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Prime Rib

Jumbo Prawn Shrimp

Green Beans

Pear, Spinach, Pomegranate Salad

Roasted Potatoes

After stuffing our faces again and cleaning up the fest, we headed down stairs for a little Naughty or Nice Plinko.

Grandma H really thought out how to play this Plinko game and her ideas turned out to be so cute and fun. She first had the grand kids start. Each of them took a turn headed up the step ladder, they each had three tries to get the plinko ball into the nice section at the bottom and she gave them 2 out of 3. 

If they got naughty they received a bag of coal and a gift out of a basket. If they got nice they received a flying animal slingshot and a gift out of a basket. When Jack went he ended up getting Nice.

When it was Abigail's turn I was a little worried about the Naughty part due to the look on her face, but in the end she got Nice as well.

After the kids went one more time each, it was apparently the adults turn. It ended up that all of the adult except Jeremy was Naughty, my hubby was the only nice one in the bunch.

After playing Plinko it was time to open presents. We started with the little kids first, then to the adults and then Mom opened her presents last. It think in the end we all got what we asked for...Family, Laughter and Love! It was a great night spending it with family. 

My favorite holiday of the year is Christmas and although I tend to forget the true meaning, I know deep in my heart what the true meaning of Christmas is. The birth of Christ, I am so thankful to be born into a family that believes in Christ. The things he has done for us especially sparing his life so that we can return to him again. I know that Jesus Christ loves me and wants me to go through my trials to become stronger. I know he loves me and I love him and can't wait to get back to him. That is the true meaning of CHRISTmas.

Christmas Day Part 2

As long as I can remember since Jeremy and I have been married on Christmas Day we head over to the South Parents House for breakfast. This year was no different.

After the kids opened their presents we all got ready for the big day, which meant that our first stop was the South Parents House for breakfast. We had blueberry waffles, eggs, ham and bacon. 

After the filling and delicious breakfast we cleaned the table then headed into the family room so George, Joyce and Jennifer could open presents. 

From us, we gave them a gift card to any of the restaurants downtown through Temple Square. It was nice enjoying their company, watching them open presents and watch the kids tease Corn Dog (Jennifer's dog).

Thank you George and Joyce for always having us over Christmas Day for breakfast. We love you both and hope you had a great Christmas Day!

Christmas Day

I was starting to get kind of bummed that for Christmas we wouldn't have any snow, especially since our December has been very dry. Slowly but surely white snowflakes decided to hit the ground through the night and my wish came true as to having a WHITE CHRISTMAS! Abigail woke up first from our bed and ran into the family room yelling "Santa Came!" We told her that she shouldn't touch anything and to go get her brother (who was still asleep downstairs). She comes running into our room holding a new Wii game. We had to tell her to go put it back and to go get her brother.

In the pile of presents the kids both got suitcases, board games, Lego's, Clothes, Church Clothes and a new Wii Mario game. Abigail also got a glitter glider castle and princesses.

Christmas Eve

This year Christmas Eve was pretty quiet. I decided to make my Sisters Clam Chowder (that she introduced us to and is very easy to make) for Christmas Eve Dinner. We decided to invite Grandma H over for a little dinner and a movie which ended up being National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Ever since my brothers and I were little, especially when we were a little older to know the true meaning of Santa Claus, we would have our very fancy 5 course mean, clean up, watch the traditional National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, wait until midnight and then open presents. So to keep this movie on Christmas Eve a tradition going is a must!

Mom, Jeremy and I laughed through the whole movie and even mom jumped from the squirrel jumping out of the tree. 

Just before we started our movie we decided to have the kids open their Christmas Pajamas, which I started and have continued as a tradition since Jeremy and I have been married.

In the end it was a perfect, small, quite Christmas Eve.

Christmas Gifts from Grandpa H

With Dad living in another state he will send us some money to spend for our gifts from him which is very generous. SO this year was no different and the kids wanted to head out and get what their little visions were in their heads.

Abigail was able to get a Froze Elsa (big surprise) and a Periwinkle from the Disney Fairies.

Jack was able to get a Star Wars Lego Set. If you can't tell he LOVES Legos.

Thanks Dad for your love, gifts and thoughtfulness. We Love you!

My little Shopper

We had to go to Smith's to pick up some stuff for the parties that were coming up and we found a mini shopping cart. Abi HAD to use it. She would tell me what should go in her cart and what should go in mine. SO in the end I HAD to take a picture of my mini Shopper!

South Family Christmas Party

This year we got together over at Jason and Tawnie's for the annual South Family Christmas Party. It is always a treat to get together with family and see how crazy we can get. We had a lot of good food and dessert as well as good company.

This year for the little ones we decided to draw names and I think that was a big hit. Before we had the little ones exchange gifts we circled together as a family and read in the Bible the story of Jesus, which has been a tradition since being in this family. It was nice to bring in the spirit and the meaning of Christmas before the chaos began. 

Jack got a Nerf gun and Abi got a Lego Friends kit. Each of the married kids got a survival kit, which Joyce is always so thoughtful in giving. You never know when you will need to survive. 

All in all it was a nice evening until the kids decided to dog pile on their Aunt Jennifer. Always good times with the South's.

School Christmas Program

This year marks the first School Christmas Program. They had each grade perform and although it was hard to hear the music teacher speak (due to no sound system), they still put on a good show. Jack's kindergarten class was the first grade to perform and they did awesome.

After they performed the morning kindergarten class was done for the day, so we decided to head home while the other grades performed. From what I understand or heard was that the program lasted until 3 pm due to having each grade perform. Glad we were at the beginning.

Christmas Candy Treats

I need to be more of a baker or cooker or whatever you want to call it, s I was excited to when mom called me up and invited the kids and I over to hangout but to also make some candies for Christmas. I picked up lunch for all of us, got the kids organized with their movies and off to the candy making mom and I went.

We made toffee (above) then we decided to experiment and make some Oreo balls.

They were good, very sweet, but good. Lastly mom made caramels.

The kids had fun watching their movies and eating popcorn and mom and I had fun making the candies.