Last Christmas on Laurel st

Waiting at the top of the stairs till we say go

Dad says it is time.

Eating breakfast before gifts...everyone is playing on some new electronic from santa while we eat.

Presents from Grandparents

Taylors gift to Brody...He looks like a member of One Direction.

Christmas Eve

 We went to my moms and dad for Christmas Eve this year.  My moms house is always so Christmas...I love how she loves Christmas.  We got Chipotle to cater...kids loved it.

 Grandpa always finds such random blow-ups

Brodys note to santa...

Santa's answer...I thought it was clever.

Christmas Eve Pjs

I love my tree...it is so big.

Brody did not want to match in the pink pjs

Sydney is 11

I am really trying to make their last birthday in California memorable.  So I decided she could have a slumber party.  I hate slumber parties.  15 girls slept over and we heated the pool.  4am I finally had to shut them down.  Sydney went and slept in her bed and syrup was poured on one girl while she slept.  I survived and Sydney got a great party.

She also had her family birthday dinner at farrals...i took 3 Tylenol while i was there....so loud

Thanksgiving

Our annual Thanksgiving apple turkeys 

Family Photo shoot

Had to get a beach photo shoot in before we leave California

Elf on the shelf fun

Winter Formal

The process of Winter formal Dress selection began in September.  She wanted to go with a date or without so we started shopping on a trip to Utah for a wedding.  We thought maybe we could find something different than what the girls would be wearing in California. 

So we shopped and shopped!!

Finally found a dress that was half of what she wanted.  Grandma Judi knew we could turn the dress into exactly what she wanted.  So we bought it and faith in our seamstress.  It was long and she wanted it short with long sleeves.  So we used the material that we cut off to make the sleeves.

  

This is the before photo of the dress.

This is the after photo with grandma Judi...aka expert seamstress.  The more amazing thing was that she did it in one night because our flight left in the morning.  She stayed up all night and sewed so it would be a perfect fit.  Taylor said it felt like Christmas morning.  Now we had the dress but no date.

She got asked by a cute/funny boy

She replied...Yes.  Winter formal would be crumby if I didn't go with someone who is "Flamin Hot"...the box was filled with tons of chips

Awkward moment of the corsage and boutonniere that has been awkward for generations.

Before the dance photos

Double date

Crazy awesome hair...all her own.

Few extra friends

My favorite photo of her magical night.  Worth all the hard work by lots to make this night happen.    It is a lot of work and to think I have more dances and two more girls to go.  These memories last forever.