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Happy New Year!  

 We spent New Year's Eve at a local party and danced the night away!  Well, half of us. The little ones turned in early but the older kids had a great time dancing with as many girls as possible.  I loved being a fly on the wall as I was able to watch these kids full of energy, life, and laughter.

Wow! I can't believe I did it!  365 days of pictures!  This project was definitely a challenge for me but I am extremely glad that I followed through and made it to the end.  I love that I have a picture from everyday of 2010 and would encourage anyone who is considering this challenge to go for it! As for 2011, I think I will do a picture a week and keep up on my family blog.  Thanks for joining me in my fun adventure!

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Another day in the pool with very creative kids!  These boys provided hours of entertainment for the rest of us.

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The Polar Bear Club!

Are you in it?  I'm not!

I think it was -2 degrees with the wind chill.

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We decided to head south again this year for a little family vacation.  It was freezing and we were unable to play outside as we have in years past, but thank goodness there was a pool and party to keep us busy!

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We packed all the kids in a few cars and headed to the skating rink.  They played for hours on their scooters, skates, blades, and in the bounce house.  Great activity!

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We were excited to visit Temple Square and see all the Christmas lights but it was kind of a crazy and hectic night.  I spent 25 minutes looking for a parking space, it seemed like everyone else in the city decided to visit Temple Square on the same night...it was very crowded, and our favorite tree (the huge one with a million red lights) was not lit up this year.  But it was worth it and the kids had a great time with their cousins.

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I love the joy in their eyes on Christmas day.

This year has been a wonderful, spiritual, low stress, simplified Christmas and I have loved every minute of it.

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We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner with lots of family.

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Hopefully his fever and cold passes before Christmas.

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She wanted to show off the cute present we received (hat and scarf). Love them!

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A great day to make sugar cookies...our favorite!

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School's out this week, but work never ends.

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Twenty-six years ago today, my father passed away.  You will find this ornament on all of his children's trees in his memory.  I sure miss him.  

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 B Girl had a cute little program at Preschool today.

Later we helped at Pink's class party.
I found this cute game where the kids had to shovel snow with their noses.  Add a little Vaseline to their nose and the "snow" sticks.  Very cute and fun.

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We loved watching the girls at their Christmas dance recital.

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The Kindergarten Holiday Program.

I had a smile on my face the entire program, he sang his heart out. 

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I had no idea this picture was taken, but it says it all.

"YES, I tricked mom into helping me, I mean doing, my homework! SCORE!"

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Someone else is tired of me taking a picture a day.

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Christmas Piano Recital.

He can't hide his excitement that lessons are over until the new year.

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The stockings all hung by the chimney with care.

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I can't post today's picture until after Christmas.
But I will tell you...I am working on something!

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Too tempting.

(I was about to take a picture of these cookies, when little hands appeared)

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Pink made this darling manger and baby Jesus at Activity Days today.

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A new season, a new sport.
Here we go again!

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Smile bud.

When is this "picture a day" going to be over? Come on!

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Recording precious memories.

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Meet the two newest members of the LDS church.

Her baptism day finally arrived and she was excited to share it with her cousin!

It truly was a wonderful, beautiful day. 

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We were excited to attend a Princess party for our little niece and cousin.

The boys did not join us, they were in the other room at a Super Sport birthday party for their other cousin.  

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Pink's dance recital flowers.  Her dad never forgets.

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I love the reward of watching a great performance after hours and hours of hard work. 

This fall she joined Company and has loved every minute of it.  

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Ready and anxiously waiting for one of our favorite Christmas traditions.

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Traditions: Nativity Scenes

Tonight we decorated for Christmas and trimmed the tree. Every ornament survived - a miracle with all the helping little hands!

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Having fun at an open house after an excellent mission farewell of our great friend.

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Celebrating a score during "The Holy War"

Who needs a trampoline, they just taught themselves how to flip without it.  

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4:30 a.m. on Black Friday.

Oh yes we did!  

(photo taken by my 14 yr. old son on his phone, what a trooper and great sport)

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Happy Thanksgiving

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My Thanksgiving food assignment.  

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The Kindergarten class enjoyed a great feast today!

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Lazy Day.

In fact, I am sick and stayed in bed all day.  

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The fruits of their labor.  Enough snow for a snow fort.

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O.K. maybe the football tournament (that I was not excited about) was worth it as they won the tournament.  Look at that trophy!!!!  It is bigger than he is!!!

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I would have loved to join the boys on their little trip, but I had plans of my own.  A Time Out for Women conference with my cute friends.  I love an occasional get-a-way and am always refueled.  Not only physically (as I eat way too much), but am inspired and uplifted by these wonderful women.

Football banquets are quite the event.  It is a time to give gifts, trophies, thanks, watch highlight videos, eat and play one last time as a team.

Unfortunately, we had two banquets at the same time, different places, and had to split up.  Right after the banquets my four boys drove five hours so Z could participate in more football, a tournament. 

It was a great evening.

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She was excited to show off the bracelet she made by herself.