Tree Cutting Twenty-Twelve

For some reason, I just couldn't seem to get pictures from our annual Christmas Tree Cutting Adventure to load.  I had just about given up on blogging about this year's festivities, but for whatever reason, the pictures uploaded today, so better late than never I guess!

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we embarked on our 10th year of cutting down our own Christmas Tree. This year, Oma and Opa, Mark, Abby, & the boys, and Brad, Jayne, and their boys all joined in the fun.  I think this was our largest group ever!  The weather was beautiful.  Not exactly Christmas-like, but perfect for a bunch of little boys (and one girl!) to run around and be wild in.

We settled on our hunting spot and got prepared...

The kids had fun climbing rocks (hi Uncle Bradley!)

And off we went!

After 10 years, we have learned that pretty much, every tree looks the same.  So, we didn't spend too long searching for the tree.  Just find one that about 15 feet tall and take the top 8 feet.  Of course, all the kids wanted to help cut it down!

On our way back to the car, the kids allowed me to snap a few photos...

Brothers.

When we got back to the car, Mark and Abby and the boys were already there.  So, we enjoyed a picnic lunch and waited for Brad and Jayne and Oma and Opa.

We all FINALLY :) made it back to the car...

So the boys spent a few minutes exploring and being boys.

And then we headed home.  This is what our kids did about five minutes into the drive.

So, here she is in all of her glory...and our best gifts underneath.

Eat, Drink, and Trade Cookies!

On Monday night, I hosted a Cookie Exchange!  Abby, Jayne, and I each invited a few friends.  We made some apps, brought some drinks, and asked each guest to bring a double batch of baked deliciousness to share.  Here is the spread.  Isn't it awesome?!

Before sharing the cookies, we hung out, had some drinks and apps, and chatted.

My mom, Bre, and Becky (my next door neighbors and student! :))

Dana and Trish, the raven-haired beauties.

Katie, Jayne, Claire, and Lindsay.

Kim, Gwen, Lindsay, and Abby.

And me and my co-hostesses!

I didn't get any pictures of us walking around the table creating our cookie collections.  But, we all went home with an amazing spread of baked goods.  My family has pretty much consumed them all in one week!  Thanks everyone for coming (and thanks Gwen for my cool necklace!).  It was a great night!

Vogelzang Christmas

For the past several years, we have celebrated Christmas with the Vogelzang Fam a) a little early as the holiday calendar is always quite full, and b) with some presents for the kids and then a dinner out for the adults.  So, last weekend, we headed over to the Vogelzang house to kick off the 2012 holiday season.

Brady and Rylan checking out the December countdown village. 

Some shots of all the kiddos...

Landon was SO excited to give "Rey-gee" her gift.  He helped wrap up her new little nike tennis shoes, so he kept jumping up and down saying "Shoes-ies, Open!  Rey-gee!"  It was so cute!

Rylan got a rocket and a Lady and the Tramp DVD.

Brady got a new wallet, complete with a zipping pocket for change, and an airplane launcher.  Landon and Reagan broke the planes before they were even out of the package, so fortunately, he was able to go and trade it in for some legos!

Landon got Ozzzy...an alien/bunny/? stuffed animal.  He couldn't stop squeezing it!  By the end of the night, however, his big sister decided that she wanted Ozzy and worked out a trade with Landon.  So, Payton has now claimed Ozzy in addition to her grow-your-own butterfly kit.

After gifts, the babysitters arrived and the adults headed out to Pasta Jays for dinner.  This has become our Christmas restaurant.  Good food, good drinks, great conversation, and most importantly, great friends!

Thanks for a wonderful evening Gwen, Tim, Rylan, and Reagan.  We love you guys!

Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this year.  The kids and I had the week off from school which was much needed, and Wes decided to take the week off as well, so we had a little mini vacation at home!  At the start of the week was our Black Hawk trip and the Broncos game, so on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we tried to do a few fun things with the kids.  We went to the theatre to see Wreck It Ralph.  We went swimming at Lone Tree, and went to Jump Street with all the uncles, aunts, and cousins.  It was great fun!

We offered to host the Thanksgiving celebration again this year.  We enjoy having everyone over, and after looking at last year's pics in our old kitchen, we were excited to take some new ones with a prettier back drop.

Everyone came over around noon (before naps) so we could take a family pic for my parents' Christmas card.  Given the fact that there are 18 people in the picture, half of whom are under age 8, and we took it on a timer, I think it turned out pretty good!

A silly shot...

And one in honor of Uncle Bradley and his Movember Moustache...

Grandma Tammy provided some amazing appetizers, which we ate almost all of before dinner.

And because everyone came early, we had to do a little cooking.  Wes made some sweet potatoes, Mark is making homemade mac and cheese!

All that work requires some beer, relaxation, and football.

Mom and dad cooked the turkey at their house (thank goodness!) and brought it up to carve.  Don't they look great!

Sittin down for the meal.  We had everyone I mentioned in the picture above, plus Sue, Dave, Grandma Inge, and Grandma Tammy, 20 total!

Dig in!

After our delicious meal, we got to play Aunt Sue's traditional turkey game.  This is one of our favorite Thanksgiving traditions.  Roll the dice, move your turkey, win prizes!

And this little turkey shared his 3rd birthday with Thanksgiving.  Happy Birthday Heath!

And no holiday is complete without some Star Wars.

Arie didn't eat too much Thanksgiving dinner, he just chilled and watched all the craziness.  But, he's pretty used to it by now :)