The Royal Birthday Fair

We had a combined family birthday party for Eli and Cori this year with a knight and princess theme.  It was lots of fun.  We made the same castle cake that Mom used to make for us and Sir/Uncle Doug was nice enough to welcome the guests to the royal birthday fair.

The knights decorated their helmets at the knights armory and the princesses decorated tiaras at the princesses jewel room.  Then we headed outside for pony rides!

Aunt Caroline’s friend brought her pony Wonder.  Cori jumped right on to ride.  Eli was nervous for a while, but once he got on he loved it.

The knights and princesses used a sword made by the king to slay the dragon piñata.

Then it was time to eat cake and play.

Cori and Eli sat in their thrones to open a few gifts, but we asked people to bring canned food items for the needy of the kingdom in lieu of gifts.

This is Eli donating the food.  Sara Lee also donated a loaf of bread for each item we collected.

Eli’s 4th Birthday

A few days before Eli’s birthday we had a little party at the park with all his nursery school and playgroup friends.  The theme was digging, so the kids dug in the dirt and played on the playground.  It was lots of fun.  Eli even said, “This is the best day ever.”

On his actual birthday he got breakfast in bed of course.  He requested donuts, and since it was Sunday I did homemade ones.  His present from us was cowboy boots.  He had a great day in primary and then more fun at the farm, but I don’t have pics of that cause Cori and I were home sick.

January Happenings

We bought a van.  I have always wanted a pearly white vehicle, so Derek got me one just in time for my birthday.  I love it.

We had a weekend away in Dallas too, which was great!  Derek had a business trip down there, so I went down at the end of the week and the kids stayed at grandma and papa’s house.  We got some R&R, saw friends, went to the temple, shopped, and of course ate good food including Rosa’s and Einstein Bros., yum.

Christmas 2011

We spent Christmas Eve at home, just the four of us.  Derek grilled some cider marinated pork chops that were super yummy.  We also had sweet potato fries, broccoli, and a “special drink” (cider mixed with seltzer water).  The kids really loved the drink and especially toasting.  Cori kept holding up her cup and saying, “hit".”  At one stage the kids were rhyming something about a bum.  I smiled at Derek and said, “What a dinner conversation.”  Eli immediately held up his glass and said, “Cheers!”

After dinner, we skyped with Elder/Uncle Ryan and the rest of the Willson clan in New Zealand and the kids opened a few presents from us and from them.

Cori got a sweet baby doll from Nana & Poppi that closes its eyes and sucks its thumb.

Santa brought the kids a playhouse.  When Eli came out of his room and saw it, he said, “I can’t believe it.  He brought us a whole house.”

Cori’s favorite part is the doorbell.

They got Raisinets in their stockings, so they ate them in their new kitchen.

Eli also got pirate gear in his stocking.

Christmas day was pretty hectic.  We did the Christmas morning thing, then church, then headed for Henryetta for lunch, a Christmas program, and two family get togethers. 

Grandma got Cori & Keegan matching dresses.

So many toys! All the grown up kids got Nerf guns from Santa.  They have been lots of fun.  We got everyone food storage stuff.

Christmas is exhausting! Cori conked out on Uncle Joey and soon-to-be Aunt Madison.

Christmas was fun, but I really enjoyed the day after, when everyone was still around and we could just relax together.  We played some basketball, played games, and watched movies.