Too Blessed To Stress: Kylee

Sunday, January 2, 2011

That Festive Time of Year

As I wrap up our year I've looked back and have seen all the time we've spent with our Family and Friends, but the Holiday's are always my favorite part. I love all of the parties. I appreciate the effort everyone makes to get together and spend time. I wish we did it more often.

Thanksgiving-
This year we had a quiet Thanksgiving at home with our little family and Challis' housemate John. The kids like to spend Thanksgiving at home, so they can lounge in PJ's, watch football and eat their favorite foods prepared in our traditional way. I on the other hand would love to go anywhere where anyone else is willing to to all the work and cook. Although, I have to admit it's nice to have our family recipes at the table. If you got a Christmas Card from us, you'll recognize the picture below of our family. I believe I said it represented the "true" us, and it does. Challis out on his own alone at one end. Corbin bridging from adolescence to adulthood. Me clinging close to Channy my last little bird in the nest, and Rick up higher than us all; head of the house. He'd tell you, "They just never leave any room for me."

Brothers will be brothers, and whenever they get together....there is always this...

There were some peaceful moments too.

We all enjoyed our time together, but it didn't last long and Rick was off to stand in line for Black Friday at Best Buy, and it was freezing! Corbin joined him out in the cold dark night, so we could all have Christmas gifts for...less. Corbin did set his snowboarding pants on fire though, so the overall cost wasn't so much less in the end, but I'm sure it's a night neither one of them will soon forget. *smile*

Cookie Party-
I always say I make cookies ONCE a year, but the truth is, I always have help. Our annual Cookie Party was so much fun. My niece Kylie is the most dedicated cookie maker there is. When you give that girl a task....she sees it to the bitter end. She loves to make cookies too. She put out more cookies than any other person at the party. She is not only creative, she is responsible, helpful and patient.

Here Ky is helping her sister.

My niece Rylie on the other hand is out and out TROUBLE. She's 2. She's messy, loud and mischievous. Mostly she enjoyed eating cookie dough. She is our only little one, and she makes everything more hectic and more fun all at the same time.

My nephew Bowen is an artist. He is a cookie creator, not just a decorator. He has some of the best ideas, and while he doesn't put out quantities of cookies, he puts out quality cookies. The boy makes a cookie you can be proud of.

Challis and Melissa joined in our little party. It's apparently the first cookie party that Mellisa has attended in the 5 1/2 years she's dated Challis. She said, "There sure are a lot of cookies. Do they last you the whole year or something?" No wonder she's so skinny. She's be shocked to know I ate most of them by the end of the week. :)

Channy doesn't put out many cookies at all. Mostly she hides. She's to cool for cookies. It's her age. But I caught her here and there.

Corbin and Morgan were there too. Morgan should be a professional cookie artiest. They were so beautiful you could hang them. Corbin's, golf coarse, cookie became the most copied.

My sister Kristi and her Husband Anson came to help out and make a few cookies of their own.

Grandma and Grandpa Dorman came and supervised cookie making as well.

Rick and I are always happy for everyone to come. And once again we had a wonderful time.

Christmas Dinner Party-

This was our first Christmas Dinner Party and I hope that we'll do it again. My sister Jennie and her family came along with her mom and step dad. My nephew Chance came over for the first time. My mom got to meet Jennie's mom Patty for the first time, and Jennie got to meet my sister Kristi. We had a delicious meal.

Then we played games. I always love a good party game, and everyone is always a good sport to join in.

We played Guess What I Am For Christmas. I was surprised there were not duplicates. It was such fun, and my mom won. Above Steve, my mom and Kristi.

Patty and Jennie

Rick, Patty's husband, doing dishes. Do all men named Rick do dishes????

Me explaining all the rules.

Corbin and Morgan

Kyilee, Chantel, Corbin and Morgan

Jennie's family got us Just Dance, and we danced the night away. Corbin and Challis take each other on. Corbin can shake it, so he won.

Our favorite head to head of the night. Troy Vs. Rick...Ummm, wrong hand Troy. I guess that's why he lost.

We even got Chance to shake it against Kyilee.

Thanks to everyone that came we really enjoyed your company.

Christmas EVE-

Christmas Eve we always open our new PJ's. We love new PJ's.

The Kids, Challis, Chantel, and Corbin. Channy is holding her first Christmas gift from a boy.

My PJ's were soft and warm. I love Christmas Eve. I always got new PJ's every Christmas as a little girl. There is just something special about new jammies.

This is one of my first Christmas' and I'm willing to bet my grandmother made my new nightgown. She sewed a lot of my Christmas PJ's. I looked so forward to opening them every Christmas Eve. It's the one tradition I really hope my children use in their families when they have families of their own.

Rick Showing off his new PJ's.

We play games Christmas Eve too.

And lastly Rick and I watched the Kids play Just Dance.

Then we went to bed to wait for Santa.

Christmas Day-

We always have so many things to be grateful for on Christmas Day, Friends, Family, and all the special gifts they have given us. Thank You! Each and everyone. We have enjoyed them all.

After we open our gifts we have family and friends over for a yummy Brunch. It's our favorite part of the day. Some people love the Egg and Sausage Casserole, But Corbin and I love the French Toast Casserole with Vanilla Syrup. Needless to say I gained 4lbs over the Holidays. Every pound was worth it. :) But most of all we love the people that share our table on Christmas Morning.

WE hope your holidays were filled with as much love and joy as ours. Merry Christmas ALL!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Summer - Nothin' But Parties

We kicked off summer with a Memorial Day BBQ. My Mom, Steve, Star, her family and her in-laws came. I think we always have a great time when we get together. I love it when I get to hang out with my family. I wish we did it more often.

Jeff had surgery on his knee and Rick had a broken foot. Woohooo! Can you say PARTY?

Rylie tried to find trouble wherever she could. Nothing new about this from a 2 year old. One thing I have to say about her....she hates me. I have no idea why, but she does. It's kind of funny, when my heart isn't broken over it.

Corbin had a great time. Can you tell?

(Retta, Star, Ron) It was a great night to sit and listen to old stories. I always love it when Retta and Ron come. They always make me laugh.

(Rylie, My Mom and Kylee) Kylee showed up late. I'm glad she at least likes me.

Who is Steve texting?

Even with a broken foot, Rick always helps out.

Edgar Cousin Party.

(Brandie, Jennie, Me, Cara, Shelley, Mindy)

I got to meet some of my cousins for the first time. It was such a fun time. They are all darling girls. We went to Mindy's beautiful home and got to know each other. Some of them hadn't seen each other in a long time so I wasn't the only one catching up. They've all been so welcoming to me, and it's really appreciated. I'm only sad we didn't get Marty and Aunt Linda before they left.

Girls only Eclipse Party.

There's nothing better than girls night, and what better excuse for one than a great vampire movie? Some of my friends and I took our girls to the Eclipse movie. We really enjoyed it. Woohooo! It was hot!

I think it's easy to see where Channy's and my loyalties lie in this saga.

Alice is my favorite girl in the book/movie too, but I guess Maddie and Brenda like her a lot!

I guess the same goes for McKenzi and Heather.

Boo! Kristi and Katie are Edward fans.

Jennie, Carley, and Casidy are on team Jacob with us.

The whole group.

Happy Birthday Kylee

We went to Kylee's 9th Birthday.

I invented an attachment so Corbin could pump up the swimming pool.

And the girls had a great time.

And the trouble maker (Rylie) looked for trouble.

Chantel and Star.

Grandma helped out too.

4th Of July Party

Chantel rode on a float in the Kaysville City parade. She is on the back of the float to the right.

Then we enjoyed a delicious BBQ over at the Saddlers, and played games after.

Family BBQ

Rick's family cam to town so we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to combine with Tiffany's family and BBQ.

We enjoyed dinner then played some games. We really had a good time.

Gatten Family Reunion Party.

The Gatten family hasn't had a get together in decades, but the aunts and Uncles decided to start up the family tradition again and do Tri-annual family Reunions. Sounded like a good idea to me. This time it was held at Layton Park. It was fun to see relatives we haven't seen in a long time, and some that we've never met.

The food from Tasties was yummy.

There was a pretty good turn out.

Uncle Jay gave a an introduction and his brothers and sister spoke.

Several family members enjoyed Surf-n-Swim

Some volley ball was enjoyed

Chantel participated in arm wrestling

Some people made their own fun.

The bottom line is...We all enjoyed each other.

Uncle Jay's 70th Birthday

We were delighted to be invited to Uncle Jay's party. There's just no way he could be 70. Jay is one of the best story tellers. I enjoy being around him every time I have the chance. I learned a lot about him at this party just from the table decorations. Like the naked picture I stared at while I ate dinner...What?

Uncle Jay with Aunt Tora showing he can still wear out a dance floor at 70. Uncle jay had a great turn out with his family, friends, and co-workers, and we all enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Jays daughter Sheri and son Danny

(Oren, Danny, Sheri, Mike, Nathan) All of Jay's kids.

It was a great night.

Mirror Lake Dinner with the Saddlers

It's really unfortunate that we haven't gotten out more this year. Rick's broken foot has detoured us from many camping and hiking adventures. But, we did manage to get out and go to Mirror Lake with the Saddlers. We enjoyed a lazy day of canoeing, game playing, fishing, dinner and a camp fire.