Noon Year's Eve 2016

Since New Year's Eve was on a Saturday this year, George had the day off.  We drove down to the Utah Museum of Natural History for a Noon Year's Eve celebration.  This is the first time I can remember doing something like this with the kids and it was great fun.  All of us loved the dance and the confetti and balls at noon.  Cole and Elise liked the craft stations and hat building.  After the party part, we toured the museum (first time for everyone but Lucy I think).  It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

 Clara had some great dance moves and thought the snow angel in the confetti was a great idea.

 I couldn't ever get Erik's moves on video (he's one of my favs to watch), but her are a few from the other boys.  Shake it!

for some reason this pollution/ball
thing was a big hit.  We stayed at
this exhibit for a looooong time!

excavation

 

back to the balls...

 We finished the afternoon at Litza's Pizza... yum!  I hadn't been here in forever and it was so good!  Or maybe we were all just extra hungry after we played so hard. :)

We finished off the year at home with a little Pie Face Showdown.

Yay for 2016... 2017, we're ready for ya!

Wrapping up December (hahaha!)

Class parties for the kids...

 Looks like Cole likes to be a ring tosser a little better than a ring catcher. :)

Cole's kinder class

 Both boys had PJ Polar Express parties.

pretty proud of that gingerbread house

This was the sweetest thing and bought a few tears (mine)...
Mrs. Moore had kindness stockings up all month long.  The kids put notes to each other.  awwwww...melts my heart.

first middle school dance for Lucy (gulp from mom!)
Funny thing was that the power went out after about a half
hour so they went in the gym and sang carols.  hahaha!

this cutie all dressed up for her party too

scavenger hunt for...

... a date to "A Fairly Potter Christmas play."  Funny thing was that I bought our tickets two months
prior and somehow I messed up because they didn't have them on will call.  There were 4 seats left - on the end of 4 rows.
But, at least we could poke each other in the back to talk to each other.  hahaha!

skiing practice down the hill

 I'll take an Erik to go...

picnic under the tree

Cole shows the most interest in the yearly puzzle.  I sure love that kid!

Grandma Liz came up to make gingerbread houses - fun!

George came out of basketball retirement for the old Alumni tourney.  

chimes are always a big hit!

Lots of fun at the Tripp extended family party!

 Aftermath of Christmas... all that styrofoam drives me crazy!

Each kid got something lego related... we spent lots of time putting sets together and playing.

the gifts the kids bought or made for me... so sweet!  Erik was the photographer here... nice job, buddy!

My gift to George this year - snowshoes!
(and of course I bought myself a pair too)

ninja turtle waffles!

Late night with Lucy's friends

Lovin the Trampoline park to get some energy out!  We joined in with our friends the Manwarings for this one.

lots of races to the top

Ready, set,

go!

wild game of dodgeball

Lucy practiced and practiced until she could do a standing back handspring.  Nice job, Lu!