Brad and Benjamin's (2) birthday was on November 16th. Benjamin couldn't wait to open his presents when he awoke in the morning. Joseph was more than happy to offer technical support.
At night, we had a family birthday party for the boys. Julene made gluten-free chocolate cupcakes for Ben and bought a Claim Jumper Motherlode chocolate cake for the rest.
Ben was blowing out the candles with Brad's help.
Happy Birthday Brad and Benjamin!
Joshua's birthday was on a Sunday this year. His only wish was to get an airsoft rifle.
His dream came true. Along with his rifle, he got a target to shoot at, some glasses to protect his eyes and glow in the dark ammo.
The Rifleman.
One recent Sunday, Angelina wanted Julene to do her hair up for church. We put a tiara in her hair to make her look like Cinderella.
We used lots of bobby pins and barrettes to put it all up. Angelina's hair is down to her waist now, so it took Julene some time.
This is the end result--beautiful!
Brad took pictures of Angelina and, of course, Ben just had to be in the picture, too.
Angelina was Cinderella and Ben was Prince Charming while Julene sang "So This Is Love" from "Cinderella."
Angelina hugged her little Prince Charming.
You don't know the power of the dark side!
When Joseph was Ben's age, he had a teddy bear which had a Buzz Lightyear costume made to fit it. One day, Ben surprised us all by taking the teddy bear's Buzz costume and putting it on himself. We couldn't believe it fit Ben. Now, Ben thinks the costume is his. He puts it on and runs around the house in his diapers saying a two-year-old's version of "To infinity and beyond!"
There was a crooked man who had a crooked smile!
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me!
For our annual New Year's Eve party, we decided on a Chinese New Year theme. Allyse made paper Chinese lanterns to hang in the kitchen and everyone brought their favorite Chinese entrees. For dessert, we had a Red Velvet cake and a White Chocolate Raspberry cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, with fortune cookies as a chaser.
Grandma Kathleen and Diana Stephens enjoyed the Chinese food.
Uncle David explained to Joseph the finer points of getting a hot date for New Year's Eve.
Stephen was proud that he mastered eating with chopsticks without poking out an eye.
Anna Gunnerson and her father enjoyed a quiet moment (and believe me, it was only a moment.)
Nora and Angelina played with puzzles.
Stephen was so overcome by the great dinner that his eyes started to roll back in his head.
Allyse and Joshua schooled their cousins on the air hockey table.
Corbin and his friend were the latest victims of the unbeatable duo of Allyse and Joshua.
After dinner, we gathered together for some family fun: concentration game with 2009 family pictures, family puzzle race, and "Name that Baby." At stake were very valuable prizes purchased at Las Vegas' Chinatown.
Julene was our own Vanna White as she turned over pictures for the concentration game.
Grandma Kathleen and Grandpa Wendell were the fastest team to correctly identify all of the baby pictures.
Christmas Eve was spent at Grandma Kathleen's home. We had dinner with the family, Santa Claus came to visit and passed out big candy canes, we acted out the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, we shared our talents by singing and playing instruments, and we ended the night with caroling to some neighbors.
On Christmas, Angelina woke up Julene and said with excitement, "Mommy, I have a present! Come, I want to open my present pleasssse!" Brad and Julene reluctantly rolled out of bed as they had stayed up late the previous night helping Santa. We finally opened the presents. Our little Ben had fun playing with his new Superman.
Joseph got his Bumblebee Transformer.
Ben got a new Buzz Lightyear robot. It was enjoyed more by everyone else.
Brad and Julene got a new Nikon camera. Brad is smiling at his new camera.
Enjoying a sweet Christmas moment together.
Later on that day, we went to see "Princess and the Frog" with cousins and grandparents. We had dinner with everyone at grandma's house. Allyse couldn't wait to wear her new hot pink Justice sweats.
For Joshua's thirteenth birthday, he wanted to go to the Las Vegas Bowl. His favorite football team is Brigham Young University. It was a very windy and cold night. Brad and Joshua dressed up in their thermals and boots.
Brad and Joshua sat on row 1 at the 5 yard line and had a great time together. Of course BYU won the game. After the game, Brad took Joshua's picture with BYU cornerback Brian Logan.
Confetti cannons blasted confetti all over the field.
Here is Joshua and BYU wide receiver McKay Jacobson.
Do you see how happy Joshua was? The night was freezing and the weather was not the best, but Joshua had fun with his dad. A memorable experience for both of them!
