Fondue Party and New Year's Eve

We had a fondue party with Jason's siblings and spouses last night.  The food was soooo yummy.  We also played games.  A Rook tournament took place and while you waited your turn, other games were available to play: Qwirkle Cube, Banana Grams, and others.  It was a fun evening.

For the New Year celebration, we are going to celebrate New York time with the kids.  We will play games with them, eat more yummy food and just have a relaxing evening  at home.

Happy New Year!

Happy 40th, Jason!

Jason's birthday was the same day we went to the Keith and Idris family reunion.  He wasn't too excited about spending his 40th birthday away from his family (visiting from Utah, Texas, Spokane) so Grandma Sally and I crafted this plan with the help of Jason's siblings to surprise him when we got home from Ensign Ranch.  I told them where the hide-a-key was, hid a banner for them to hang up and they brought pizza and the cake.  When we got stuck in traffic on the way home, I used the excuse that I wanted to know if the pass was closed to call his mom and let her know we were running late.  Everyone was a good sport and when we got home, we walked into the dark house and everyone yelled "SURPRISE" and turned on the Christmas tree lights.  It was a fun moment to remember.  Again, I didn't get a pic of everyone standing there yelling surprise and I wish I had.  I think Jason will remember this for a long time as he had no clue what we had planned.  After eating pizza, cake and ice cream and opening presents, games were played.  Here are a couple of pics of game playing in process.  

We love you Jason!

Keith and Idris Hebdon Family Reunion

It is a tradition for the Keith and Idris Hebdon family to go to Ensign Ranch between Christmas and New Year every other year.  This has been a tradition for many years.  Not exactly sure which year it started but I remember laying on mattresses in front of the big wood burning fireplaces and sleeping with all the cousins in front of them.  We didn't really get that much sleep, but we had a lot of fun!  Playing in the snow, making crafts, doing puzzles, eating yummy food, talent shows, story telling, Christmas caroling and more have been a part of these traditions. 

This year, we were able to attend for just a few short hours.  It was fun!  The kids had a blast putting together tie snakes, playing in the snow with their cousins, getting to know more of my Aunts and Uncles better as well as my cousins, eating yummy food and just being together as a family.  We brought home a keepsake: a circle of wood from a tree in Grandpa Keith's yard with his brand (Lightening Lazy H) on it.  The women also did a craft: a cute box with a vinyl saying on it.  We met new additions to the family in the form of new babies being born as well as cousins getting married.  Games were played, puzzles were put together and a lot of visiting went on.  It is always good to reconnect with family!  Wish we could have stayed longer, but we needed to get back home.  Sleeping in my own bed is not a very successful venture right now with just a few short weeks before baby Taylor gets here so we thought it would be best that I sleep in my own bed. 

It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get from our home to Ensign Ranch but last night it took 3.  There was an accident on I-90 that involved a tanker truck that had tipped over.  The Hazmat team was there checking things out as we drove past the accident.  It was snowing on the pass and traffic was slow after the accident, as well.  We made it home safe and sound...finally!  Again, in the rush to get out the door, I forgot the camera so I'll have to ask for pics.

Bolles Family Christmas

Lots of fun and talent!  The nativity was fun to watch.  Kids will be kids but it all was a good reminder of why we celebrate the season!  It was fun to watch the next generation playing their instruments along with the adults and they sounded wonderfully, as well!

Gingerbread Houses...graham cracker style

To simplify the process, we used graham crackers.  The kids had lots of fun decorating them and the icing turned out, much to my surprise and glee!  BriAnn wasn't able to use it due to the egg in it, but she had fun lining up the crackers and candy anyway.  Trevor has asked several times if we can make them again.  After watching Tyson literally turn circles on the couch, then run in circles around the front room after eating his entire house in 1 day, I've decided against it.  Boy does that kid get high on sugar!!!!

Hebdon Family Christmas

Lots of fun, food and family...even a bit of snow this year...and the Nativity. 

Tyson's first missing tooth

Tyson lost his first tooth November 30th.  He worked and worked on it all day and by the time evening rolled around, he had one less tooth in his mouth.  He wasn't about to let Jason touch it, but after some careful consideration agreed to let him have one try to get it out.  The tooth fairy even remembered to come on time.