December 29 - January 4
Sunday night we had new friends over for dinner. Ali and Lucy are the same age and had SOOO much fun together!
A good friend whom I visit taught since we moved to Vale experienced major marriage problems on January 1, 2013. Through the course of the year they divorced and she moved away leaving the three kids with their father. By November he remarried a lady with 4 kids of her own. Vale is a small town and I am worried that it will be a rough beginning for them. I was grateful that Kurt invited them over. Her kids are the same ages and they all got along well. I'm grateful that my heart is more loving than I realize and I know that comes from the Savior. I appreciate and acknowledge his grace.
Monday morning Emma Lynn made breakfast for everyone on her own.
Tuesday was New Years Eve. We went to Nampa that afternoon to run errands.
Jane thought it was loads of fun.
We rushed home to get ready for our New Years Eve Party. We started with dinner of ham salad croissants. Kurt rushed off to help unload a pivot from a semi driver who was anxious to get home to his family. The whole process took longer because the entire RPM parking lot of full of cars to watch the 7 pm firework show. {We watch from my bedroom window.}
When Kurt got home we continued our NYE party tradition with an activity for each hour {but as soon as one activity is done we move to the next regardless of the real time.} This year I gave each kid an "hour" activity to plan.
6:30 pm - PHOTO BOOTH {made by Emma Lynn}
Sam wowed us all with his.
We also liked Lucy's approach to dump as much as possible onto one spot. Sam said this is titled, "Firewood."
8:00 - POSTERS by Ruth
These were funny because everyone showed their true personalities with what they made a poster about.
9:00 Gingerbread Train by Lucy
This was given to us by a friend early in the day complete with all the candy and frosting to decorate it with. Thanks, Nobles!
10:00 Games by Austin
He divided us up into team and had us put stick puzzles together followed by cup tricks {those Christmas cups have really been a hot item!}
11:00 Face Painting by Emma Lynn
I was brave {or stupid} enough to let Lucy paint my face. She really got into it. And truthfully when I looked in the mirror it wasn't as bad as it felt.
12:00 am - 2013 BINGO by mom
Everyone was given a blank BINGO board and then we each took a turn saying a favorite memory from 2013 to draw or write in each square.
Since it was now officially "midnight" we had the traditional Dance Party to Abba's famous {Thank you Vietnam} "Happy New Year!"
It was 11:20 pm we when finished. The latest we have all stayed up for a NYE party. Kurt was grumpy {should I remind him that we started later than normal because he was working??} and the little girls were ready for bed. They all fell asleep instantly.
The older three were determined to stay up till midnight. This is what I found at 11:38 pm.
I went back in at midnight and the alarm went off. Austin woke up, looked around, "Happy New Year" shut off the alarm and went back to sleep. The other two didn't stir. Happy New Year!!
Wednesday was the rescheduled Romans family Christmas / New Years party. Grandparents and all siblings, spouses and cousins were present! Wahoo. That feels like a major accomplishment some days. It was a great afternoon. I am blessed with wonderful family. I love to see my kids interact with their cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I'm grateful to be able to host events at our house. Good times, good times.
Look who fell asleep in the middle of the party.
Lucy passed out on grandma
a random conga line
Thank you Grandma Cindy for the cute matching clothes!
LOVE Jane's new board book from Jeff and Julie's family.
Lego Heaven!
Thought they all looked so cute swished onto the couch together.
ALL the cousins {and a few moms}
We cleaned and enjoyed snuggles on Thursday.
Friday was preparation for the parents trip to Florida which really just translates into mounds of laundry.It was also the day that we said good bye to Sam. After working half a day he came back home to pack up and headed back down to SLC. We are REALLY going to miss him around here. The kids adore him. Especially Lucy who was always so bossy and Sam was so good to her. Sam was just about the best house guest ever. He was quiet and undemanding but helpful and kind. It was a treat and blessing to have him live with us the past 3 months. I hope that he will be able to return soon! {{HUGS}}
As you can see in the picture Ruth was not feeling well. Her mild temperature grew hotter and hotter. 104.6 The plan was for the kids to spend the night at Marti's and then Cindy would pick them up on Saturday {we were flying out 5 am Saturday morning.} Canceled the sleepover plan. As the evening wore on Kurt and I both knew that I needed to stay home. I felt peace about it and didn't question it. Around 10 pm Kurt got a text from the airline that his flight had been canceled. Obviously that starts a chain reaction of delays and missed connecting flights. He decided to go into the airport early as originally planned to try to get it all straighten out. Meanwhile Ruth woke up Saturday morning at 8 am no fever and said to me, "Mom my head doesn't hurt any more. I feel great! You can go on your trip now." The problem us Kurt had already refunded my tickets. So I sent him a quick text {after rechecking temperatures} about the girls status. Miracles happened and they were able to rebook my flights with Kurt {new flight was leaving at noon.} I THREW things into the suitcase, made sure everything was in order for Cindy for the 6 days we were gone and kissed my kids good bye. Kurt rushed back from Boise to pick me up. PHEW. Whata whirl wind. But we made it. And it all worked out. {Big thank you to Cindy for being flexible and willing through it all!}
Jane was a fantastic traveler. She was so excited about all the new sites and surroundings. She just smiled and took it all in {and never slept!} Everyone adored her {and rightly so.}
Made it to the airport in time. Now we can breathe.
Walking the airports in Minneapolis and Fort Lauderdale
Ready for a great week in FLORIDA!
--- Romans Reflections ---
- During FHE we were talking about and setting goals. Spence said, "make muscle."
- Sam was talking about a single ward activity. Spence and Emma said, "we are single! we want to go!"
- Lucy's new version of shake your sillies out, "Shake Shake shake your tooties out."
- Friday when Lucy was sicky and super snotty, "my nose is funny."
- Trying to get Lucy to bed and she was being quite resistant. "I don't want to go to bed anywhere. I want to run away."
- My favorite of the year, Lucy asking "Sam will you marry me?"
- My favorite of the year, Lucy asking "Sam will you marry me?"
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