I usually only get to practice with the little kids b/c the big kids are in school all day. But, we are having surprisingly beautiful sunny afternoons this week so I got some of Levi.
Since we aren't cake fans at this house, and Spencer has a serious love for ice cream, we tried a sinfully good ice cream cake. Titled "banana split ice cream cake". I am playing Game On! so I didn't get to try it, but i heard rave reviews.
Levi is super aggressive when he plays basketball. If there is a jump ball, he ALWAYS comes out with it. And everyone better watch out!
Even the scorekeeper on the other side of the court was not exempt to the prowling saleswoman. Love that girl!!
My cute SIL and my cute Mom.
Authentic Italian Soda (sanpellegrino limonata y aranciata), the kids thought they were in heaven (some of the adults did too!)
The salad might have been my favorite part of the meal. It was so yummy!
Bruschetta, yumm-o.
My dad was not a little proud of his manicotti. He cooks probably twice a year (at the most), and takes great pride in his creations. This particular one took him several hours to prepare. So cute.
Insalada caprese. My personal favorite italian dish ever.
The chalet. We got 4 inches of snow and it was a little bit of Christmas heaven.
I came home from our trip and New Years festivities with a need to run (went over 6 miles, though it didn't put a dent into my holiday damage I am sure), and a need to CLEAN. Got all of my Christmas stuff put away, went a little nuts reorganizing and purging through our house and even went so crazy as to recover all my dining room chairs. I need order in my life NOW!!! I did enjoy the Christmas chill while it lasted though....
We played spoons, which got a little violent. My little finger is black and blue and was swollen, and I still wasn't the reigning champ!
Ella, Caden, Ashley, Emma, Levi and Kiara. Naomi went to bed early so she is missing in this photo.
Me, Derek, and Trent listening to dad's recitation of "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Unfortunately, Trent is the only one who followed what was happening. I liked to listen to the rhyming though! :)
Dad reading out loud from the Edgar Allen Poe book he got from Trent (the literary expert in the family) for Christmas.
Caden was beyond exhausted, two days in a row of Christmas fun and late night partying, but he perked up when he saw the cereal. 
Ward Christmas party. Emma was so excited for this party b/c she could sing "Hosanna!" (which she did probably 87 times over the course of the week). Then I came home from Kiara's soccer game to see Emma dressed in blue and red and high heels with a matching snowman headband on all dressed up and ready for the big party. What could I do? She sang her Hosanna's with great gusto and held up her skirt very daintily.
Playing around some more with my camera and indoor shots (garage).
Yes, we get big ol' tall trees. It is tradition. If it isn't nearly touching the ceiling, it just isn't tall enough. It is the one time of year I appreciate vaulted ceilings! 
