Double date night with Justin's cousin Eric and his wife, Cathy. Thai food for dinner and then off to Thanksgiving Point for cookie sundaes. It was fun to hang out and chat. In the past 4 1/2 years we've probably only seen them twice a year and just never had opportunities to hang out and really talk. They're fun to be with and we're so glad we live close enough that we can do that again sometime. Alicia and Mike...you're next!

This past weekend Justin and I went to Las Vegas to see my sister and her family. She had her 4th child in November and I still hadn't seen her. I wanted to hold her and feed her all weekend...the baby...not my sister...but holding her is nice too.

My sister and her husband home-school their kids and even though it was a weekend and there was no official school...there is always room for productivity. Cross Stitch with Isabel and Luke started a blog for his creative stories. Feel free to leave a comment on any of his posts...he would love it.

Luke also spends time creating his own video games.

On Saturday we went to the Bellagio to check out the indoor gardens which had the theme of Chinese New Year.

Joey treated us all to gelato.

There is a huge chocolate fountain there...and if you look up to the top the ceiling has mirrors.

At dinnertime we pretended to be on a cooking show. First I was the camera person and then Isabel and I were suddenly the professionals on scrambled eggs. It was fun. Apparently she and her mom love to watch Rachael Ray's 30-minute meals.

Sitting down to french toast, eggs, turkey bacon and orange juice. So good.

Everyone in the kitchen getting ready for dancing with DDR.

Joey treated us to stove top popcorn. The kids seem to love watching what happens in the kitchen.

This is how we party in Las Vegas.

At some point on Sunday night Luke had written "Beware the Natalie"...not sure I know why...but I thought it was funny.

Sabrina and I always want a decent picture together but I think we end up too focused on playing (rightfully so) that we forget. This is the best we got...I actually like it. We both look natural in it.

The 3 daughters.

Justin is a fun uncle.

Sylvia sure loved hanging out with Justin. She'd snuggle up next to him in the morning and just liked to be around him. Look at her little hand on his.

My blue coat was hanging on the stair railing and she thought it was Justin's coat...look at that hug.

Sylvia off to dance class. She chose the green hair thingy.

So my husband turned 34 today. I made breakfast for him...I rarely have bacon in the house so it was a treat. Last night we had a little get together with family. It was nice.

I guess it is a tradition to go sledding on January 1st. I hadn't been in a long time and realized that it is a lot more fun when you have the proper clothing.

Justin hurt his tailbone on his 2nd run so he wasn't able to play as much as he wanted

Cannon, Kyla, Kenny & Tristin

Sledding brings families together

Judy is still recovering from knee surgery so she mostly just came to be with everyone

I guess it's safe to sled with your baby...

Back up the hill...

Julia & Marissa...do they look related or what? ...oh...and Matt being Matt

Julia, Morgan and me

Holding on for dear life...

doesn't help when on an innertube with Matt.

Toni comes to cheer us on

Cathy pullin' the girls...that hill probably seems steeper and longer because of them...but you can tell they just love it.

Getting ready for the train...

hoping all goes well...

Doesn't look like anyone got hurt

Change that snow to blue water and my snow clothes to a t-shirt and shorts and I'd probably have the same expression.

For New Year's Eve Justin and I went to his Dad's house. We had fondue and chatted around the table, played games and danced to ABBA around midnight.

me, Marissa & Tristin

Kenny & Tristin

Below Justin isn't shy about not being able to eat one more thing.