Christmas 2016 Season

Pose no 1.

Some of the family took a day to Aspen CO. Of all the sites to see the girls enjoyed the art galleries the best!  It was cold, beautiful, and tons of fun.  Hot chocolate, pastries, and ice cream sundaes were the next favorite!   

Downtown Glenwood Springs CO

Aspen CO day trip

More Art Galleries

Pose no.2

Pose no.3

Pose no.4

Our birthday twins dinner

Glenwood day trip sleepy child!

Beautiful Aspen

More art...

Posing as owls?

Pose no.5

Big missionary brother with most of his little sisters

Thinking back 2016 Christmas

 

It was our every 3rd year for a full on family Christmas.  And as usual our Juli hosted again in her beautiful Colorado home.  It was awesome.  While I do have more photos this pretty much sums up the party in these two.  Not everyone was present for them but we got to see and spend time with all of our children this 2016 Christmas season.  Per norm when a crowd gets together for several days sickness always seems to prevail.  I'm pretty sure only a few escaped and even into January some of  us are still bearing the results:(

 

 

Yep, that's my family!  And they are crazy!  And I love them!

LOVE this protein smoothie!

One cup "milk" (whatever your favorite - hemp, cow, oat, 7 grain, coconut...)

5 T Whey

1 tsp Maca Powder

Fruit, whatever you choose.  My favorite which is pictured had frozen strawberries and 1 organic banana.  I prefer fresh strawberries but I used them this morning so I had to resort to my frozen. Whirl in blender and enjoy!

Just know that this particular brand of whey tastes very good.  It doesn't have a grainy texture to it, funny taste, or any of the negatives that pure whey can have.  I purchase it HERE!  I highly recommend it if you want a delicious and "so good for you" pure and natural whey powder.

Colorado family Christmas 2013

We had an amazing family Christmas in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with our kids.  It was so great seeing our 4 married kids since they all live out of state.  We had family coming from Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, and Arizona meeting up in Colorado with Juli and Kelly hosting.  She showed us a great time and we were able to make wonderful memories.  Juli you are great for hosting such a big crowd and we had a great time.  Earlier in the month we were able to travel to Ohio to spend a few days with my mom and celebrate Christmas early with her.  It is pretty safe to say that our December was busy and amazing.  I love our family.   (Unfortunately my pictures are few because forgetting about the camera is so easy to do when such special times are happening and I just want to enjoy the moments) Kelly bought a karaoke machine and we did manage to get lots of video footage which was great.  Many laughs accompany them!

Kim and Emma dreaming while in Ohio!

Brynlee, Juli, Ambreigh, and Beckham.  I love your sweet smiles.

Some fun snuggles during some family time!

Playing puzzles with Grandma!

Baby Vance loved his popsicles. And I love him!

Juli too her 5 baby sisters and her daughter Aubryn out for a girls night!  They had a great time enjoying some sweet treats and big sis taking them shopping!  Its hard to tell which one is the mom and big sis!  She's the one with the green sweats.  Such sweet ladies.  From left to right-Aubryn, Mary, Emma, Janai, Juli, Makenzie, and Kaydee

Apparently there is only ONE way to eat a chocolate covered strawberry.  Thanks Mary for the tutorial.

Colorado/Christmas/Family Fun

Christmas Eve day was we spent at the Glenwood Springs, Colorado Hot Springs pool with our family.  It began snowing during our swimming which made it even more special.  Thanks Juli for the family gift.  We had a great time!

Christie, Jeff, Robyn and Luke

Mary and Janai just in time for the picture!

Christie and Robyn

Instead of forming the line "outside" of the pool to wait their turn on the diving my family decided to stay put in the water rather than freeze standing outside the pool!

It wasn't easy to gather everyone together for a big group shot but we got a few together for a pose.  The others were off swimming or diving off the board!

We spent one of days in Manitou Springs and visiting Garden of the Gods with Aunts, Uncles, and lots of cousins!  Here are some of my girls posing with mama!

Makenzie and Mary

Mary

Colorado/Wedding part two

Introducing Luke and Robyn Phillips! (Phillips is going to take some getting used to)

Young Vance, wife Heather and daughter Gemma. Heather looking beautiful as ever!

Ambreigh and cousin Suzi

Son-in-law Kelly made an awesome DJ as he led the reception in song and dance!

Babies are the best! (Baby Vance, Gemma, and Ambreigh)

I just love this dreamy face of granddaughter Gemma.

I have a feeling I know what Baby Vance is wanting!

Happy camper now!

Little Ambreigh looking sweet as ever!

Bride groom, moms and dads!

One bride with her 8 sisters, 3 nieces, 1 sister-in-law, and 3 BFF's!

Our famous family photographer Juli taking a minute from her picture taking to love her little Ambreigh and have a dance with son Beckham! (above)

Two of my precious daughters! (above and below)

A couple of tuckered out little peacocks!

The bride enjoying a dance with cousins, nephews, and nieces.

I'm guessing Luke and Robyn have plenty of goodies for their special night at the reception!

Vance Jr. and his little Vance

Daddy Vance, or in this case Grandpa Vance taking his little Gemma for a ride.

My son's sweet smile. A smile I understand melts the very heart of his wife Heather!

My son Vance giving me a bad time for stealing his hat! This just after he found out I stole his favorite jacket. One that HE forgot at home in our coat storage when he got married. I'd say given the fact that he's been married for a few years that the coat should stay mine. After all, possession IS 9/10 of the law! But nothing will stop his constant teasing!