He's Baaaack

Our elf, Sigmund made an appearance again this year.  The kids absolutely love searching for him each morning.  He had some sneaky hiding spots this year, like riding in Mason's fire engine toy and in my china cabinet.

Kaiser Christmas Party

We had such a great time.  iPhone photos.

Spray Tanning Funny

So my friend Astreaa asked me to go with her to get a spray tan before the Kaiser Christmas Party.  I've never had that done before but I said I'd come along ... I got a new fancy-schmancy dress for the party and didn't want to be my pasty white self.  Well, Astreaa took care of everything and told the technician exactly what we wanted.  I ended up being too dark - freaky dark.  The plus side ... my teeth looked extra white.  Good thing we got our spray tan the day before the party to give it time to fade a little.

I can't believe I'm showing you these photos - they are SO not flattering.  The tan accentuated all of my wrinkles!

Ok, can you say, "Are you kidding me?"  Astreaa kept saying, "It's fine, you look fine!  It will fade!".  We were laughing hysterically because I knew she was LYING.

No comment. 

I had to pick the kids up from school right after I had this done.  Mason was SO embarrassed and kept saying he didn't like it and asking what happened to my face.  Trust me, it was darker in person.

I was told not to wash my face but the next morning I woke up and immediately washed my face with my Obagi.  I couldn't stand it ... then I liked the result.  Too funny.

Good ol' fashioned fun

I remember raking the leaves in the front yard up with my friends in the neighborhood  (for money, of course) and once we were done, we'd jump in the huge pile of leaves and frolic around.  Of course, we'd have to rake them up again and repeat.  Well, because we live in a newer neighborhood, we don't have many leaves but while walking out of Fairytale Town we spotted piles.  I gave the kids the OK to go for it and they had such a great time.  It was so much fun, just to watch them.

Christmas caroling at Fairytale Town

Kyla's Daisy Troop had their first event ... they walked around and sang Christmas Carols at Fairytale Town. I love the pictures of Kyla with her good friend, Reese.  They enjoyed themselves very much for the first hour and a half or so ... then they were over it.  Not bad for a bunch of 5 year olds.

Molly and Kyla went to preschool together for 2 years and are now in the same Kindergarten. 

Christmas Tree Hunting - Smart's Family Tree Farm

On our way home from Nevada, we stopped by Apple Hill to pick out our Christmas tree. There was such a huge difference in weather from last year.  I missed having the snow on the ground.

Kyla wanted this teeny-tiny tree but we said, no way.

Brian, reluctantly posing for a picture.  He hates me for this, I'm sure.

And ..... here it is.  We all agreed on this gorgeous 16 foot White Fir.  Why we felt the need for such a huge tree, I'm not sure.  It was quite difficult to decorate as you'll see in a later post.  I guess, Brian and I are the type of people that want to get the most bang for our buck and because any size tree was $60, we felt we must get a huge one.

The kids and I.  Wish we weren't so bluish-tinged but for some reason, I couldn't fix it in Photoshop.

Awwwwwwe.  Love this one.  Roscoe is such a good old dog now.  Look at his aging face.  Just may have to frame this one and put it in Mason's bedroom.

Smart's Tree Farm.  Love it.

All Stars Tournament - Team Ireland

Mason made it on the All-Stars again for soccer and they played on Thanksgiving weekend.  The coach was fantastic and luckily Mason knew a few of his teammates so he had a great time.

Mason played a lot and mostly played Half-Back.  It's a mid-fielder position (so I'm told) and to play this position, you have be good at offense and defense.  Boy, did he run his heart out.  So much running in this position.  They won their first game and easily won their second but lost during the championship game.  It was a good run and all of the boys were so proud of themselves (as they should be).  They got T-Shirts and a medal this year (instead of a pin like last year).  

I couldn't be prouder of you, buddy.  You always give 100% (unless it's homework).  I had a great time watching and just about lost my voice from yelling.