Holiday Happenings

Sorry for my delay in posting, hang on as you get caught up with me! Brianna continues with her flute playing and she was once again in ISU Honor Band. December 3-4 she got to go to ISU and prep and put on a concert for us. Here's a shot of us in the lobby of the Stephen's Performing Arts Center before her performance. No daddy, he had to take the picture.

I know, we look a little redneck next to her--but she still claimed us! She tried out for All Northwest this year but didn't make it. There were several very sad days at our house after she got that news. Never-the-less, she is an awesome player and we love (at least I love) listening to her. She was still playing on the 30 + year old flute, dents and all, for this concert and complaing how she really needed a new flute. We told her that we just couldn't do it because of all the extra expenses we had in the fall and she relented. But stay tuned.......

So here's a shot of the Tanner Christmas party.

We played the traditional 'steal the present' game this year and just enjoyed one another's company. It's weird because we didn't have very many little kids around and they really make the holiday. We had Milo though, I think he loved the attention! It was fun anyway. Here's our 'kids table'.

I think if Jake grew his hair much longer he could be my little Alexis (like we thought he was going to be)! Mom got to come up for the festivities, barely. She had troubles getting flights but made it here on Saturday and went home on Monday. We're so happy she could come, but missed dad.

Christmas Eve was lovely as always. We went to Grandma and Grandpa Oswald's house and ate clam chowder and ate treats and ate.............EVERYTHING! We did the traditional opening of the presents from the dogs, Ozzy and Kelly are so thoughtful and they always seem to know we need jammies! WARNING, view the next picture at your own risk. This is the curse of having three boys in my house. They didn't think I would post this, but oh, they don't know me very well!

Of course my darling Jacob was not participating in their shenanigans. I'm going to enjoy it while I can. Christmas brought us lots of fun things. Here's a shot of Christmas morning.

Yes, Jacob got a snowboard. So spoiled--all of us. I got a Kindle and have been so addicted! I think I've read 4 books since Christmas, that's pretty impressive for me. Kevin is now regretting getting it for me. As you know Kevin and I enjoy stupid funny movies. One of the more special ones to us is Talleadega Nights. I found this t-shirt that says "shake-n-bake, that just happenend". Now if you are also a lover of the ridiculous you can appreciate how funny this is!

As for Brianna, you probably guess we came up with the money for a flute, but this is how we gave it to her. She had told me a few days before Christmas that if she ever got a new flute she wanted to hang the old one on her wall. So, I told her that I needed it to get it repadded and all spiffy for when she went back to school. I took it and got this box made for it and that's what we gave her for her present. She knew as soon as she got it that there was a new one lurking somewhere close.

It was all pretty emotional and awesome. Now the sky is the limit! She is participating in Rigby Jr. Miss in March (the 26th, please come and see her) and is going to play the heck out of this bad boy! After our fun morning we went to the Oswald's for our Christmas prime rib. Kevin had to try it out and make sure it was safe for us to consume. He's a giver like that.

We gave Mom and Dad a Wii for Christmas. The best thing that was said all day was by dad. When he opened it he said "a Wii, you gave us a Wii?". It was hillarious. In addition they got a Wii Fit, I wonder why mom is laughing so hard?

Despite Dad's first impression of the gift, here he is with Nick trying it out.

He caught on pretty good and Mom says he's quite the Wii golfer now. Well, hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year. Happy 2011. :)