Christmas Eve Bash

Every year we spend Christmas Eve with Justin's family. We had such a good time this year! Sophie wasn't feeling very well, so that part wasn't as much fun.
We did white elephant gifts first. I got this! I was actually really excited!

Then we played the game where you try to unwrap a present wrapped in about 40 layers. You have to roll a 6, put on the hat and gloves, and the one who gets to the box wins! Justin did very well this year, and he walked away with the prize of assorted nuts.

This year's ornament was Santa riding on an airplane (in honor of Michael who will be entering the Air Force soon).

Each person takes Anna's idea, and they tweak it how they want it.

This is Justin's rendition...

I had some leftover fabric from a quilt I made for my friend years ago, so Justin and I made this quilt for his brother. It is in three pieces; we had to finish it the next week.

And I crocheted this Afghan for my sweet mother-in-law.

Sophie got a baby for Christmas from Grandpa and Nanna.

And she also got these cute outfits!

Justin and I got bar stools from Justin's brother and his wife, and we got a carpet cleaner from his parents!

Our Anniversary Trip

We dropped Sophie off last Monday and headed down to Vegas for an overnight trip. We had such a fun time, and we really appreciate my mom for taking care of our little one. We started off by going to the secret garden at The Mirage. I loved seeing the dolphins do their little tricks.
There were also white lions, llamas, and tigers.

I'm pretty sure that lion would eat me.

We stayed at the 5 star Trump Hotel. The room was beautiful!

And the bathroom had a huge Jacuzzi!

That night we went to the Venetian for dinner...

And then we finally got to see The Phantom! We went to pick up our tickets, and they said we had to pay more because we used the promotion code LOCAL50, and they said it was only for locals. After much trouble, Justin finally talked to the manager. Finally she agreed that if we paid the extra $20, she would upgrade our seats. We ended up sitting front and center. It was fabulous! I loved it!

Bolin Family Christmas Pary

Every year my mother's side of the family gets together for a way fun party! This year was such a blast! Here is Justin with Max's kids singing karaoke.
Tucker got really tired during the party and fell asleep.

Madison crawled on the floor with Sophie. Sophie laughed the whole time--she just loved it!

Here is Tucker in heaven with all the wrapping paper.

Danny was so funny! He was the most excited about opening his present.

Sophie opening her first Christmas present (with a little help from Daddy).

The kids all lined up for their turn at the gift opening.

Justin scoping out the gifts.

All of us together (except Max, he had an unfortunate accident).

My sisters and me.

April and I.

Gracie with her new glasses.

Maxer

Madison

Emma

April, Sophie, and DeeAnn

I am a baby snatcher! Here I am with adorable Tucker.

The food was delicious! My dad made Navajo tacos.

And the babies ate their meals too.

Everyone watching my dad make the delicious food.

Sophie with favorite Aunt Sue.

Our Little Comedian!

We had a fantastic time at our annual Bolin Family Christmas Party, and I will post pictures of that very soon, but for now, Sophie keeps pulling this face tonight. The effect is heightened by the fact that she pulled her pigtails out and her hair's a little crazy. Every time we laugh at her, she'll do it again!We also went to Justin's parent's house this week to help Anna make some ornament things, and while we were there, Sophie was chillin' to a movie with popcorn tucked between her legs.She makes us laugh so hard every day!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our anniversary, but since we are actually celebrating it next week, I don't have fun adventures to post (except that Justin woke up early this morning and cleaned the entire downstairs so that I wouldn't have to do it this morning).

I am so grateful to have such a fantastic husband. I always dreamed of marrying someone like him, but I never actually thought he existed. He completes me in every way, is a fantastic father and husband, and he is my best friend.

Sophie's First Birthday!

Sophie turned one yesterday! I can't believe how fast the time has gone! Her birthday party was on Saturday, and boy did we have a fun time! I left Justin in charge of the picture taking, so unfortunately, we don't have very many. My mother-in-law took lots of pictures, so I will most some of those when I get them.
Sophie is incredibly close to walking--she just needs the confidence to go with her skills. She has quite the personality; she will do almost anything to make people laugh. Sophie weighs 18 lbs. now, and still growing strong. We love her so much!
We did a Dr. Seuss themed party for Sophie. I wish I had a better picture of the table, but I will get that up soon.
We had green eggs, truffula fruit, who hash, Swedish fish, and vegetables.

Here is Sophie with her own personal cake. I made it to look like the cat in the hat's hat.

And here is Sophie after we let her go for her cake. Justin helped her smash it all up. She cried when I took her tray away. This is the first time I have allowed Sophie to eat a sugary treat, and she was quite fond of it.

Tucker helped Sophie open all of her presents, and then he pushed himself under this chair.

Sophie loved all of her toys. This horse from Aaron and Amy is definitely one of her favorites.

I figured with all her new toys, she would have a distraction from being so destructive, but after everyone had gone home, we caught Sophie doing this...

That night, we put her is some of her new pajamas, and she gave her toys one last test run.

We tried on her new outfit and bows. They are a little too big for her now, but she will grow into them soon.

As I said before, this post is really void of good pictures, so I will post this again soon (and I will fire Justin from taking pictures at her next birthday party).