Deck the halls!

One of our favorite traditions: Decorating the tree the weekend before Thanksgiving!  Yes I said before Thanksgiving.  This tradition started when we lived in Las Vegas and would go home for Christmas.  If we wanted to enjoy our decorations we had to put them up early.  And for some reason the tradition stuck.  It's a good thing because now living in AZ we go home for Christmas too!  It's fun to go down memory lane and see the girls get excited with each thing we pull out of the box!

Express

 Neeley's friend Hazel with Kayla

What a fun tradition!  The kids got to go to their school in their pajamas one night and have a movie night.  We watched the polar express, drank hot coco, ate popcorn, and had a quick chat with Santa.  It made me feel like part of a great community.  Sitting there surrounded by good people, many of whom we know already I had this overwhelming feeling of peace and for the first time of the season caught the Christmas spirit.

Top Secret

All the girls were delivered a secret mission.  They knew they were invited to Neeley's birthday party but had no idea what day or where it was.  Their "boss" had to call in for the mission details.  With their boss' approval we headed out at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning to pick up all of the girls.  We got to go in and wake them up to start their secret mission.  This is something every kid should have the chance to do.  It was really fun to see their different reactions and hear the excuses moms had to get them to wear their good pajamas.  After packing the car with girls (nearly two hours later) we headed over to the park for their first mission.  They had to figure out all of the clues that led them to the goods which was their toppings for a waffle bar.  When we got home Jeremy had the waffles hot and ready for the girls to top.  Afterwards the girls detonated each others bombs, limboed under the laser pointer and played killer spy on the trampoline.  There was so much giggling going on I'm sure the neighbors didn't appreciate the early Saturday wake up call.  But to me waking up at 5 am was worth it to see all the fun!

Paprazzi

Couldn't think of a better party theme for Kayla than America's Next Top Model.  The girls all arrived in their formal dresses and made a walk down the red carpet with the paparazzi (aka: Neeley) taking their pictures.  After that we had some cat walk lessons before accessorizing in the dressing room.  When they were all glammed up the girls walked the cat walk while we video taped them.  Then it was Kiss the hunk!  That was the best part.  Seeing the girls pucker up with bright red lip stick to try to kiss the hunk to see who would get closest to his lips.  You should have heard the giggles!  After cake and presents we all sat down to watch the models on video so we could crown the winner!

D.D.D.

For activity days the girls had a Daddy Daughter Date.  They got to participate and watch Dad in all kinds of silly games.  They had to get a cookie from their forehead to their mouth without using their hands.  Then Dad had to stuff marshmellows in his mouth and say "I love my daughters" after every one.  He didn't come out on top on that one but he's a winner in our book for sure!