Family Fun Day

Today we spent the day together as a family. First thing we did was head over to the "Amazeum" to play. This play is so cool. It really is a gem. Tucker loves painting so much. He could happily play in the painting room the entire time. 

Tanner enjoyed cleaning the glass for Tucker over and over again. Tanner would spray the glass and use the squeegee to clean it off and then Tucker would cover it in paint again. Such a good team. 

Eventually Bailey joined the boys and painted too. 

Bailey really loved this sand box. The lights would change to show different topographical indentions where the sand was pushed and pulled. 

The Daddy and the older kids played with the tops. 

While Tuck played with the magnetic shapes on the light-up table. 

There are so many cool science experiments at the amazeum. 

Then we went to explore the dinosaur exhibit. Bailey loved the big T-rex. 

Tucker also enjoys the ball section of the engineering room. He loves building different paths for the ball to follow. 

We had a lot of fun. It was Dad's first time at the "Amazeum" and I think he was thoroughly impressed. I'm so grateful we have season passes for this awesome place. 

Then we went home and played outside, ate lunch and took naps. 

That night we rented "Hotel Transylvania 2" and I made us a movie themed snack. 

The kids loved their bat cupcakes, but Bailey kept asking if they would transform into vampires like the bat on the movie do. Lol . 

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the cupcakes and the movie was cute. 

It was a great day spent as a family and I'm grateful for days like today. 

Have Yourself a Very Jelly New Year!

We had a wonderful new year celebration. Each year I try to plan a new year's party and I try to make the party have a fun theme. For the past few years we've done a glow-in-the-dark party, but this year I decided on a new theme. And this theme came to me when I ordered Jelly Belly's "Bean Boozled" game. So I planned the night around Jelly Beans and what a jelly new year it was. 

Don't you love this jelly bean cake? It was so fun to make. 

Front and center on the table was the "bean boozled" game and a bunch of bowls with different colored jelly beans to snack on. 

Aunt Sarah helped by making this cute banner. 

Drinks and Poppers 

After we finally finished setting up for the party, Nanny and Papa came home. 

We ate pizza and chatted and then the games began. 

Also, typically we have one game/activity per hour until our midnight at 8 o'clock, but this year we had some cranky kids, so the activities started at 5 pm and went until 7 pm and we did one every half hour.  First up, new pajamas from Nanny and Papa. They gave all the kids Mickey Mouse pj's to celebrate our upcoming Disney World trip. The kids were beyond excited. It was so cute!

I mean really, look at these faces. 

Tanner was so happy with his pj's, he couldn't wait to show Tucker that he got some too. 

As you can see, Tucker was equally excited over his Mickey pajamas. 

Then we had to get a picture of all the grand kids wearing their Mickey/Minnie pjs. How cute are all these kids. Seven Grand kids ages 6 and under- its a party all the time. 

Then I snagged a picture of each of my kids with Nanny and Papa, because we love them and it was too easy not to. 

The next activity was the bean boozled game. Now this was definitely the highlight of the night. Uncle David was in charge and he made it so fun. The kids were cracking up. 

So they would spin the dial and then whatever bean it landed on, there would be a good flavored kind and bad flavored kind.  Like "Tootie Fruity vs Vomit" or "Lime vs Cut grass"

The kids had so much fun watching each other reactions and not all of the reactions with good. It was hysterical. 

Uncle David would had the kids all the same color bean and some liked what they got and others did not. 

We laughed so hard watching the kids. Seriously, if you haven't tried this game, you need to buy it. 

After the game we had our new years eve countdown with King Julien on Netflix. Of course, we had a little dance party and we passed out the poppers. 

Then we went outside and did fireworks. This was also a big hit with the kids. Even though it was so cold. 

Bailey eventually needed Papa to hold her and keep her warm. He willingly obliged. 

Then it was back inside to cut into our Jelly Bean cake and drink our sparkling cider. 

How awesome is this cake though? The kids loved when we cut it and the beans spilled out. 

So fun!

New Year's Eve cheers - at 7 pm. Lol. 

The kids happily went to bed and it was a successful new year's party. The kids loved every minute of it and we had so much fun watching them. 

Then the adults stayed up playing games, eating and chatting. It was great. 

We headed home today and it was hard to say bye to all my siblings, but it was so nice to be home. 

I have a feeling 2016 will hold a few adventures for our family. We are doing Disney World  in June, then in July we are moving to Virginia for 5 months. Who knows what else will happen this year but we are excited for the possibilities. Happy 2016 everyone!!!