The First of the Christmas Parties!

On Saturday we got together with my Mom's side of the family for the Zundel Christmas Party. We spent the afternoon bowling at Weber State. Emma was not too sure of this. All the loud booms from the balls made her very nervous and she whined for the first hour until she got a little used to it. I have never seen her do this. Sorry but I can't remember who got the overall high score of the night. Quinn will have to jump in here with a comment.

Still a nervous Emma.

Finally a smile out of her with her Grandpa.

This is our cousin Eric. He started doing pushups between bowls to make his arms stronger and one time it made him get a strike!

Afterwards we went back to Mom's and stuffed our selves full of yummy food. After a rousing game of Nert's where I think Taylor won (Carly, he may be better than you now) we all gathered around for a true White Elephant gift exchange. We are happy to report that one of our gifts was the most popular and I was surprised when Quinn said we could take it in the first place. It was a Monkey carved out of a coconut. This was the coveted gift and was passed around so many times that I have no idea who ended up with it.

In the end we all had a great time even Taylor though he was stuck with an old copy of Anne of Green Gables. Sorry but its White Elephant and you never know what you'll get. Emma had so much fun that she is still recovering from the very late night she had because of course there was no way she would go to bed while a party was going on. Oh well, tis the season of tired, whiny kids, all on sugar highs.

I believe that is a ceramic green turtle. YES!!

Oh, Ben what a nice toaster!

And then last night was our neighborhoods annual Christmas Party. It is held in the drive way of our neighbor. We all bundle up, turn on our Christmas lights and head out in the cold with a treat to share and some hot chocolate. It doesn't last long but it is fun to get our and see all the lights on the street and to visit for a few minutes. Emma and I did not go last year because she was only a week old. So we bundled her up (yes with her screaming in protest, we finally dumped to boots for shoes) and headed out. Once we were out she was happy. She loves to be outside. The treats were good the hot chocolate was good and the snow was so pretty. And yes we made it home with both shoes, of course not on her feet though, but with only one sock. Quinn had to go back for the other one. That girl - won't even wear shoes and socks when it is 30 degrees outside!

Merry Christmas!

More parties to come!!