Krista is 11!

I know, I know, I've been very negligent in keeping up with my blog lately (maybe always). Life itself sometimes gets in the way of writing about life. I'm sure everyone can relate. There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done (unless you are Patrick, and then you have 36 hours a day, which is how he can do everything he does).

Anyway, Krista's life has been speeding by, just like the rest of ours. She's now eleven years old! So, so hard to believe.

We had another small family celebration in her honor. Ryan came over and we had Tim Tam Slams! Ashley sent the girls two books each (she's especially good at picking just the right ones).

Here are some photos from Krista's actual birthday.

Krista's birthday dinner request (macaroni & cheese w/hot dogs, broccoli, baked beans, and crescent rolls

Gene has been collecting the state quarters for 10 years. The kids each got a set as a late Christmas gift (Ashley, we have one for you, too).

Krista wore her birthday tiara (she bought it at Disneyland). Here she is opening two light jackets.

She also got a flat iron (I cannot believe how much time this girl spends on her hair!)

Ryan gave her 2 CDs (Vanessa Hudgeons and High School Musical 3)

Leah also got 2 CDs from Ryan (Taylor Swift and Cold Play)

Getting ready for Tim Tam Slams (with hot chocolate instead of coffee)

Step 1: bite off two opposite corners of the Tim Tam

Step 2: Put one of the bitten corners in the hot chocolate and suck just until the hot chocolate comes through the other corner.

Step 3: Put the whole Tim Tam in your mouth and revel in the heavenly sensation!(Careful, you can only eat so many of these without getting sick!)

The Girls' Birthday Celebration

Although I know the girls would prefer having separate birthday celebrations, it's sometimes just too much so close after the holidays. So, sometimes we just have to combine them. I mean, their birthdays are only six days apart, so I figure they can share the celebration sometimes--not always, but I don't think it hurts to do it every once in awhile.

Leah turned 15 on January third, and Krista turns 11 tomorrow (the ninth).

This year, we let each girl invite one friend to go ice skating and spend the night, then go to church with us in the morning. Leah chose Shay and Krista chose Izzy (both friends from their schools).

Unfortunately, Shay had to leave unexpectedly because of a family medical emergency. Luckily, Moriah, another one of Leah's close friends, was able to come over for cake and to spend the night. She's a really sweet girl, so we were happy to have her.

Here are a few photos from the day and evening. (Leah and Shay somehow evaded the camera at the ice rink.)

Krista and Izzy putting on their skates.

Poor Izzy just couldn't get the hang of it, so Gene had to help her.

Krista did just fine, thank you very much.

Back at home, we had orange chicken and stir fry vegetables with rice and/or noodles and fortune cookies (Krista's request).

Izzy was so anxious for Krista to open her gift.

It's a Webkinz, which made Krista very happy.

Izzy

Moriah

Leah got a couple of books and a sketchbook.

They each got a pillow (Leah's is Tinkerbell, and Krista's is High School Musical)

The girls all got a gift bag with some Bath & Body Works stuff.

Izzy checking out her loot

I think they all had a good time. Since this celebration was all on Leah's birthday, tomorrow night, Ryan is coming over, and we will have Tim Tam Slams with him. We figure Krista should still get her own special day. She saved a couple of her presents to open on her actual birthday, too.

The Burns Family's Annual After Christmas Visit

We look forward to our annual game night with Matt and Marianne Burns every year after Christmas. They always come down from the bay area for Christmas, and we get to have them over for a rousing game of Cranium. See last year's post for details. I won't say who won, but their names rhyme with Tarianne and Zebby.

But after Cranium, the losers, I mean, the guys, decided they wanted to break with tradition, and try the new Trivial Pursuit game (they think they're so smart). So, we played that, and, although it was very close, time eventually got away from us, and since we were tied, we agreed that the next team to get a pie piece would win. Unfortunately, that team was not ours. So, whatever, we'll let them claim victory on that one (but we all know it wasn't a real victory).

As always, we had a great time. We are so thankful for their friendship, and can't wait for the day they move back to San Diego, which will hopefully be within the next couple of years. For now, we have to settle for these annual visits.

The game board.

Matt and me watching Marianne draw. (She's an excellent drawer, and I'm an excellent guesser--which is why we always WIN.)

Me and Marianne trying to unscramble a ZELPUZ. We were successful. : )


Marianne drawing a garden gnome (this was one of the few I didn't guess correctly).

Matt's Frankenstein sculpture. He hates SCULPTORADES, but stepped up to the challenge, and was successful on this one.

Gene drawing with his eyes closed.

Matt reading a question card (probably a DATA HEAD question, which we HATE)

Danny and the girls were SO good all night. As they get older, I think it's more and more difficult for them to find common interests to keep them occupied, but so far they've done really well.

Can't wait for next Christmas!