New Years Weekend 2010

This year I got to spend New Year’s Eve with family in Utah…and with the help of technology got to spend it with family in Seattle, Atlanta, and Denver as well! This was the big year for opening the time capsule. Here is a little background info first… For Y2K my family celebrated by having a nice formal dinner and then we all wrote letters to put in the time capsule. This was to be sealed for 10 years and to be opened on December 31, 2009. The opening of the time capsule was a much anticipated event and we were all looking forward to it. Due to a new baby just born, a baby to be born soon, and sheer distance, some members of the family were unable to join us in person. So, that is where Skype came into play. We set up the laptops and everyone in the family was able to be “present” for the opening of the time capsule. Isn’t technology grand? It really was cool. I’m glad we were able to all be together, though we did miss Jen, Steve and family; Ryan, Marcela and family; and Jared, Katie and family for the rest of the weekend festivities!

Here are pictures from the opening of the time capsule...

The kids enjoyed talking to their aunts and uncles in different parts of the country.

Just chillin' with my sister!

Ashley looks mighty comfy!

It was fun to reflect back 10 years and think how life has changed in the short 10 year period. Many more additions to the family that is for sure!

Everyone spent the night at Mom's house and we enjoyed a pretty lazy New Year’s Day- it was great!

That weekend we were able to go to Rylee’s birthday party. Sean made delicious pizza and homemade rootbeer. Thanks Sean!

We all had to laugh that Rylee played with the train and Jayson played with the doll- Nice!

It was a pretty quick weekend (Thursday evening to Sunday) but it was great to hang with Mom, Brent, Ashley, Jess, Sean and the kids. I love you all!

Christmas 2009 Recap

Well, what can I say... better late than never??? So, here is the recap of my fabulous Christmas which I spent in Atlanta, Georgia with Jen, Steve and their cute kids. There are a ton of pictures, so enjoy!

I flew in late Wednesday, December 23rd and was greeted by Jen and Steve at the airport. I got to ride in the cute Mini Cooper and saw some of Atlanta as we made our way to their apartment. It was super late when we got in, so I didn’t get to see the kids until morning, but I was welcomed by this…

Such cute and creative kids!

Christmas would not be complete without decorating sugar cookies!

I was very proud of my cookie… I thought it turned out rather well!

That day we went out shopping…yep, shopping on Christmas Eve is kind of crazy even in Georgia! We also picked up a yummy ham for dinner that night. Jen put on a great Christmas Eve spread- thanks Jen, it was delicious!

That evening, as is tradition, everyone got new jammies! There is a race to see who can get their PJ’s on the fastest… I think Jen and I tied for Pond Scum which is last place! Go us!

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Silly kids modeling their new PJ's!

We read the Christmas Story from Luke 2, made sure the cookies were out for Santa, and checked where Santa was in the world before saying goodnight to the kids. Then it was off to wrap presents. Jen, Steve, and I had a great time getting everything wrapped. Good times!

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These pajamas were quite fitting (it says "Up All Night"), since he decided he did not want to sleep at all Christmas Eve! Cute little stinker though!

Side note: I attended a white elephant gift party where I got stuck with this hideous vest. I told my friends I really was going to wear it on Christmas day, so I took it and yes it did make an appearance Christmas morning! Even Eli was disgusted with it, so needless to say I didn’t wear it very long!

Christmas morning did arrive and so did all the excitement associated with it. The kids were super cute as they discovered what Santa brought them and then the fun continued as we opened presents. The Christmas joy was alive and well at the Moore household! Christmas exploded!

The family got a Wii balance board and Wii Fit Plus for Christmas, so we spent a lot of time playing that. It is great fun and I don’t think I will ever forget Steve “flying” - so classic!!

We went ice skating Christmas evening. It was a lot of fun and the kids did awesome!

Saturday we went out shopping to find Emmy a pair of boots… and yes, we were successful! Then we piled in the van and headed off to Stone Mountain. It was awesome! It was a bit cold that day, but the sights and festivities were worth it!

We rode the tram to the top of the mountain.

We stayed long enough to get a couple pictures while we were on top of the mountain. I’m glad I had my gloves and headband to help keep me warm!

We saw all the cute Christmas décor.

We saw The Polar Express in 4-D.

We rode the train around the mountain and sang Christmas songs.

We walked around a museum, heard a story from Mrs. Clause, and saw all the pretty Christmas Lights.

Stone Mountain was a really neat place and I’m excited to go back when it is warm!

It was great being with my Sister that weekend!

Sunday we went to church and then I had to say goodbye. My vacation had come to an end. I got back to Denver around 10pm that night.

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I had a great Christmas! It was so nice to be with family this year. Thanks Jen, Steve and all you kids for making my stay wonderful and letting me enjoy Christmas with you! I love you all!

Happenings

So, I spent a few days in Utah after spending Thanksgiving in Seattle. It was great to be home and just sort of veg! Mom and I got to hang out a lot and I also got to spend some time with Jess and the kids. Loved every second of being home and wish it could have lasted longer!

I flew back to Denver on Thursday, December 3rd. I didn't start work until Monday, December 7th, so I had a couple more days of vacation. I spent a lot of time cutting letters... Jared and Katie are on the Activities Committee and Jared was asked to do all the signs for their Christmas Party... it was a Who-ville party from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". I was really impressed with the party and the signs turned out really nice. You know Jared, he always has to go above and beyond! (These are just a few of the signs... I think there were 14 all together.)

Cayden loved the party!

Jared made a great Who!

Sunday, December 6th was Cayden's birthday party. Hard to believe he is two! What a cute kid!

I love that I get off at 3:30pm... it is great! I don't think I have ever gotten home so early! Anyway, it worked out well to get off that early so I could get the keys and move into my apartment on Thursday, December 10th. Jared helped me bring a few things over that night, but my stuff from storage wasn't going to be delivered until the next day, so I spent one more night with Jared and Katie. Annie was nice enough to come accept my storage goods, so I had a bed that night and could actually stay in my apartment! Boxes were everywhere!

Little Jacob came into the world on December 17th. I'm glad I live close enough that I got to go to the hospital and meet him the day he was born. Congrats Jared and Katie!

Cute Jacob - hours old!

Family Photo

Jacob- 6 days old

It’s been a slow process to get all moved in. I guess if I didn't work and didn't have a life that would be a different story. It has been hard to find time to get unpacked in addition to taking care of things like registering my car, getting my travel voucher filed, getting a talk written, going to a white elephant Christmas party, going to the movies, attending the Mormon Choral Christmas Concert, going to a cookie decorating party, going to the Temple, Christmas shopping, hanging with my cute nephews, going skiing, going to Annie and Steve's for a Christmas party, etc, etc, etc. Oh, and lets not forget traveling-a lot! I got on a plane Wednesday, December 23rd to fly to Atlanta, Georgia!!!

Ashlee and I skiing Copper Mountain- it was a gorgious day!