New Years and Ice Skating

 Blake's brother's family came into town the weekend of New Years to support us for Sophie's blessing.

We headed over to some good family friends on New Years Eve to enjoy food, games, and good company.  An attempt at a cousin photo-missing Seth

The kids using their poppers to ring in the new year at 10 pm-they didn't know the difference between midnight and 10, so why let them think they were missing out

Allie showing me her splits

Allie is always thrilled when her cousin Jane comes to town and loves to spend time with her.  She looks up to her a lot and Jane is such a great example and tolerates Allie even thought she's 1/2 her age.  They were able to have a few hours to themselves Saturday afternoon.  They had a great time putting puzzles together

Jane wanted to pretend she was shocked at the completion of their puzzle

Enjoying the dress up clothes

On Saturday night, I don't know what I thinking heading out for a late night the night before Sophie's blessing, but we headed off to the ice rink.  Everyone ready to go skate

It ended up being a short adventure for all the kids.  They didn't have the little skater assistance tools for the kids, so they basically had to be attached to an adult so they didn't fall.  There were lots of laughs, falls, head bangs, and crys, but all in all we had a great time

Xmas

We started out our Christmas Eve by continuing on with tradition-we went out to Chinese for dinner and then came home to read the nativity and get ready for Santa's arrival.  I had grabbed some Halloween costumes that were on clearance this year so we could dress up a little and have some fun acting out the nativity



Max got to join us and be our wise man

Allie was the angel

Sophie played our baby Jesus-but wasn't to thrilled with her role

After reading the nativity Allie wanted to get her milk and cookies ready for Santa.  She also wanted to leave a note.  I told her to run upstairs and get stuff for a quick note and then we were off to bed.  I was busy cleaning up the kitchen and about 15 minutes later Allie wandered down with a note in hand.  She had been busy working on her note for Santa all by herself.  Translation of the letter-"Dear Santa, I want a pony stick.  Love, Allie.   

Santa unfortunately got so busy this year that the pony stick didn't arrive, but luckily another hot item on Allie's list did-a guitar.  Santa also knew just what Sophie needed-diapers

Allie got a stroller from Blake and I.  I didn't think I would find Sophie riding in the stroller so soon, but I guess Allie had other plans.  Allie is so good with Sophie, she is a natural  little mother and such a huge help.  I came down from upstairs to find Allie pushing Sophie around in her stroller-Allie said that Sophie had been fussing in her bouncer so she decided to take Sophie for a ride and Sophie actually LOVES the stroller

Working on learning how to play the guitar with dad

Someone is loving this-we spent the rest of our morning working on the guitar.  The rest of our Christmas afternoon we ended up visiting with Grandma's and Papa's and enjoying the company of family in town.
Merry Christmas!!!

MAACO Bowl Las Vegas

Well we were disappointed that BSU wasn't heading to the Rose Bowl Game, but once we found out they were going to be playing Utah in the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl we decided that we were heading down to support them.  It was kind of a whirlwind of a situation when we found out they were going.  We got a call there were some tickets available and we had to decide in 30 minutes if we were going or not.  Then all of a sudden we were booking a hotel room and making plans to head to Vegas.  We ended up getting to head to Vegas with lots of family; some of the Hansen family came down as well as my Dad and step mom. 

Allie enjoying herself in a nice big bed

Visiting M&M World.....MMM MMM Good

The kids all posing with an M&M

Getting ready for a 3D Movie-we tried to find activities to keep the kids entertained in RAINY Las Vegas.  It rained almost the whole 2 days we were down there

A Skittle Statue of Liberty

Aarg Matey....outside the Treasure Island Hotel we ran into a pirate

Allie posing with the parrot.....Polly want a cracker???

Visiting the Venetian hotel.  This guy was real.....but fooled me looking like a statue

The Bellagio hotel was decked out for Christmas.  It was fun to feel the Christmas Spirit of things since we were so close to Christmas but down in Vegas where there was no sign of snow or any cold weather

Santa's reindeer flying through the Bellagio

All the cousins decked out for the Boise State game-Go Broncos

My two little broncos

A family affair....we all made it to the game.  We were so lucky with the weather for the game.  It had been pouring down rain the whole day in Vegas and the rain luckily subsided for us so we could enjoy the game and Sophie could remain dry

Funny Faces

Silly Stringy Hair

The whole Boise gang.  We had a victorious win over Utah, our Broncos did not disappoint



We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel and Allie has been so into guitars lately.  She wants a guitar for Christmas that's how into them she is.  She really wanted a picture of the big guitar that was outside the hotel, so here she is-our final night in Vegas!

Santa Visits

We were able to visit Santa a few different times this year.  I'm so glad that he got to hear what Allie wants a few different times so he wouldn't make a mistake in bringing her what she requested

The first visit for both girls was when he stopped by our ward Christmas party.  We had a breakfast at the church and Santa showed up just as things were wrapping up.  Each family got to take a turn visiting with Santa.  It was Sophie's first time meeting Santa and as you can see she is thrilled.  Santa was a little nervous holding Sophie but did a great job

The next visit was when we went and saw Santa was at the mall.  Once again Allie put in her requests-      
A baby, guitar and a pony stick

Santa wanted to take a little nap with Sophie....I thought this was too cute

A few days later Santa stopped by the Randall Family Christmas Party.  Once again Santa didn't disappoint us at this party.  He came through the door singing songs and bearing gifts for all the kids.  

 Every year Santa has managed to visit us at the Randall Christmas party and Allie remembered this visit from last years party.  Before we went to the party Allie wrote a letter for Santa and hand delivered it to him when she sat on his lap.  Her letter included a list of things she wanted for Christmas and she didn't want him to forget so she wrote him a letter.

Santa admiring Sophie 

Santa leaving to get back to the North Pole.  Until next year Santa.....

Sophie Pics

Sophie had her cute photo shoot.....she was 3 1/2 weeks old and didn't sleep through much of it.  Allie got to jump in and do a few big sister shots. 

Sweet kisses on the little sis

Proud big sis

I live her big eyes just like my Allie girl.  

LOVE THIS ONE!  Such tiring work posing for all the photos

Sweet kisses 

(As I sit and look at this picture, there are parts of my hair I think are turning grey)

I love how my little Miss is looking right up at me

Dryer Baby

Sophie turned three weeks this past week and wow did things change.  She started to become fussy fussy fussy. At first we thought it was just colic and then it turned into me ruling out reflux.  One night Blake and I could not get Sophie calmed down for several hours so we finally ended up packing into the car and driving and eventually that seemed to calm her down.  In talking with a friend, she suggested her baby liked being placed on top of the dryer because it seemed to provide the same movement as the car.  Well the dryer trick has started to work over the past few days, but the spitting up, screaming, and arching of her back continued to get progressively worse so into the Dr. we went. Sophie was diagnosed with Reflux and was started right away on Zantac.  Here's to hoping that the future is brighter and there are many more happy time on the dryer.

Christmas Girls

When I found out I was having two girls, I was just thrilled!!!   Along with more hair to do, more flowers to make, and more drama I was very excited to find them matching outfits for special occasions.  Well, the first matching outfit that they got to wear was their Christmas dresses.  The pictures were just spontaneous and when I pulled them off the camera I found that there was one pictures with each of the girls looking at the other.



Sophie looking up at her big sister

Allie looking down at Sophie