Brooks Christmas Eve Get Together

On Christmas Eve, we had our usual Brooks Mexican potluck, and it was delicious.  We were missing Katie and Allie, because Katie had to work, and Allie had plans.  Other than them, everyone was here.  Sad to say, I hadn't seen Donny's kids in over a year!  They live all the way over in Surprise, and everyone is just so busy. This get together made me think that we really do need to get together more often. 

The kids opened gifts from Nana & Papa, and we all ate and visited.  It was a great time!


All of the grandkids, except Allie.....

 Donny's family. 

 

 Hailey Bug opening her gifts from Nana & Papa.

 

 She got a little journal, a 3d paper dog kit,

and some yummy candy!

 

 Addy received a kindergarten activity book,

some learning flashcards, and candy!

 

 Hailey and Nana ♥♥

 

 After everyone left, we let them open their

Christmas Eve gift, which is always new jammies!



Dancing with Daddy

This was so cute!  Addy found my tiara from my wedding (yes, I totally wore a tiara haha).  Anyhow, she told Jaren that she was marrying him, and then told him he had to dance with her.  Too cute!!!  It's times like this where you want them to stay little forever♥♥



School Christmas Parties

We are SOOOO happy school is out for Christmas break!  No more crazy mornings...I LOVE it!!  I just don't know how families with more kids do it.  I only have two, and it's crazy hectic.  But, we do have Remi, and he's kinda like a kid haha!  Anyhow, the girls had their school parties at the same time, so I kind of switched back and forth to each of their classrooms.  Hailey's was a bit crazy, so I didn't get to take too many pictures.  Anyhow, they both LOVED their parties and were so excited to be off for a couple of weeks!

 Treats for Hailey's class.  I only planned on making a box of

brownies, then discovered the box didn't make thirty servings...oops!

Luckily I had stuff on hand for rice crispy treats!  Here's to

planning better next year!!

 

 Hailey and cousin John.  These two have been in each other's

class for second and third grades.  I'm glad she has so many

cousins that attend the same school.

 

 Hailey with her friends!

 

Back in class and playing

M&M bingo!

 

 Addy had stations that they went to, each

with a different activity.  The first one was

decorating sugar cookies.  I tried not to notice

that the kids were licking the spoon.....yuck!  I

shouldn't have been surprised that Addy came down

with a cough and runny nose a few days later.

 

 Next station was peppermint play dough, so fun!

 

 Then it was on to coloring Christmas pages.

 

Making a candy cane out of pipe cleaners.

And last was pin Rudolph's nose on.

Afterward she got to play on the playground

while she waited for Hailey and cousins to get out.

 



Addy's Recital

Addy had her first, and probably last, recital!  Poor girl had a love hate relationship with dance.  She loved it, but most days, she would be scared and be in tears before she made it to the dance floor.  And that was with me sitting right there watching her!  The poor girl has serious anxiety issues.  We went to dance with her best friend, Maylee, and even with her there, she would cry.  One time I didn't go though, and Maylee's mom took her, and she was fine!  Go figure.  Anyhow, she had dance for a few months, and then they had their Christmas recital.  They looked so cute in their little Frosty costumes, even though hers was a bit small and way too itchy.  She seemed really excited for the recital, but when it was time to get up there, she refused!  She was crying pretty hard, and holding onto me tight.  I was frustrated and calling Jaren (he was outside in line) and asking if we should just go.  It broke my heart to see her so scared.  I wasn't sure what to do and then I really fast handed her over to her teacher and she rushed them backstage, and that was that!  She was the second dance, and she did awesome!  She then got to come sit with us in the audience, and then had to go back for the last dance.  Jaren and I both had to walk her up, and their was more tears, but she did great.  She did say she never wanted to do that again though...haha!  Our sweet, timid little Addy girl! 

On the way to the recital!  No nerves quite yet.  Hailey was

really trying to pump her up, since she's been in five recitals.

 Afterwards, Hailey giving her the flowers.

 

♥♥ Cute little sisters♥♥

 

Addy & Maylee, best friends!





Hailey's Piano Recital

Hailey had her first piano recital back in April.  She was SO nervous, but did awesome.  She's pretty brave, because I would be terrified to get up in front of a lot of people and play.  But she did it!  Her song was literally thirty seconds long, because it was a beginner song.  Then, in December, she had her second recital.  She was even more nervous with this one, because her song was a tough one.  She had been having a really hard time learning it, so her piano teacher made it her recital song!  She was frustrated that she chose that song for her, but after we explained why, she practice really hard, and she did amazing!  Go Hailey girl, we are so proud of you!

 Her first recital....she looks so grown up!

 



 

Second recital.

 Before she played, and a bit nervous.

 

 Little Sister needed her picture taken too!

 

 All of the students.

 

Hailey's awesome piano teacher!





Seeing Santa

Jaren and I tried to take the girls to Bass Pro to see Santa, but they were all booked up for the day.  I completely forgot that this had happened last year too, so we had to come back a different day.  They have something called a Bass Pass where you go earlier in the day and get a pass for a certain time slot to come back later that day.  So, while Jaren was working a bit late, the girls and I went.  We still had to wait about forty-five minutes, but I guess that's what happens when it's free!  The girls loved it!  Hailey told Santa she wanted a go-kart and he said "now that's what I'm talking about"...haha!  She also told him she wanted a sewing machine made for kids.  Addy wasn't shy at all this year, which is shocking.  She told Santa she wanted a big doll house and candy!  Our Addy girl sure loves candy! 

 Hailey being a good big sister and helping Addy write

her letter to Santa.  Addy is all about writing these days, but

it was almost our turn to see him, so Hailey helped!

 

 Mailing their letters to Santa.

 

 Merry Go Round fun!

 

 Although Hailey knows who Santa really is...she

still believes in a way, it's kinda cute!