We didn’t have time to snap any family photos.  We attempted after church this day, but we only got 2 shots in before the troops had enough and revolution was shortly at hand.  We totally forgot while my sister was here so we don’t even have everyone in the picture.  The holidays were full of laughter and all the goodness that family brings.  Ushering out 2009 to ring in 2010 was had amongst family we love.

Mom, Dad, thank-you for letting me pause my life for a few weeks to enjoy a swirling vortex of fun and excitement. Thank-you for not laughing too hard when I showed up in flip-flops; transforming your living room into a huge playroom to keep the kids beyond happy; Brian and Casey thank-you for giving endless piggyback rides; letting us help you with homework; giving up rooms and playing mountains worth of games.  Heidi and Shane thanks for letting us be with you and for bringing Colson.  I could still just eat him up!  For those of you who read this, thanks for listening while I practice for the day when I win my first Oscar.

1. We couldn’t find the balloon net or the big balloons.

2. The stores were sold out of confetti…so we ended up not needing the balloons anyway.

3. We told the kids around 8:04 that is was midnight

4. My brother thought it was a good idea to shake the bottle and then ask me to open it.

5. Permanent purple splotch on ceiling = not so happy mom (Sorry Mom!  Brian made me do it!)

We were able to meet up with some friends from college who now live in Colorado too.  Through all the hustle and bustle I forgot to get picture of all of us, but Will did manage to sneak some pictures of the kids after church.  We spent part of a couple of days together.

Yes, Annie freed the piggies a little too early and I struggled to get any pictures where her hair didn’t look like she had just shocked herself via light socket.

Michael and Jen, we love you!  Thanks for letting us play!

Hammond’s Candy was a highlight of our Denver trip. It opened in 1902 so it will be celebrating 90 years this year.  We took a tour of the factory to see how they make the candy canes and other sweet treats.

Brian thought he could mess around and not pay the price.  I took care of it, probably with way less grace than was required.

My sister Heidi, Shane and her little guy came out to visit too!

The conclusion of the tour dumped out out into the store.  It looks like Sea World isn’t the only place where they try to ensure you don’t get out without buying plenty of things you don’t need.  They sure are delicious though!

Annie was very overwhelmed by it all.  I loved watching her.

Their little delivery truck made me feel huge.  How much bigger have the people gotten over the last 90 years?!

So we got a little competitive with the gingerbread houses…and yes, Heidi and I are on the same team.  What happened to, “United We Stand?!”

Hudson joined the girls team after awhile.  He just wasn’t impressed with what the guys had to offer.

From the Gingerbread House:
Naomi: “Lily, you’re not talking about muffins here, this is a gingerbread house from scratch, this is hard. Remember childbirth? This is harder.

It looks like the boys are 0-2 at our house.