Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year 2011!!!!

I have to say, this was the most fun we've had on New Year's Eve post babies.  It's not to say that we haven't had fun as parents of small children on New Year's Eve.  We usually stay up with some friends to ring in the new year, but this year topped all the rest.  So, as you know, it's pretty hard to find a sitter on New Year's Eve. So since we couldn't go out to the club, we brought the club to the house!  We invited all of our dearest friends and played Just Dance on the Wii!  It was so much fun!!!! 

We drew names to make three teams of 4 and then played tournament style for the top prize of BEST DANCE TEAM!!!!!!!!  Here is the 2nd round.  (I guess the first round I was too excited remember to take pictures.

Linda vs. Joe
 They've got some moves!
 Gale vs. Roger - Doin' the robot!

 You must know that Gale was sooooooo nervous when the game started.  She tried every way of getting out of her turn.  And look at that Robot go!!!!
 Finishing strong!
Amy vs. Efrain.  Don't let the fact that Efrain could be Amy's father fool you.  We've known Efrain for at least 7 years and we have never seen the man move like this!  He taught Amy a few moves in the routine!
Luis vs. Linda
 Chuy vs. Roger - I'm not sure who they are "ropin"
 Me vs. Efrain.  I was a little intimidated after seeing his moves, but I think I held my own.

 Penelope vs. Lindsay.  I tried to tell her that the tv could not register points for the attitude on her face.  I guess she was giving it her all!

 Chuy vs. Linda

 So in the end, the winning team was. . . . . drum roll please. . . . . . . . . MY TEAM!!!!!! consisting of me, Chuy, Luis & Penelope!  Although the MVP of the night was Efrain.  Funny story, when his name was drawn, the rest of his team sighed as if he would be the dead weight they would have to carry.  Little did they know he would end up being their secret weapon and overall winner of the night!!!!!!!!!!!

Then it was the couples round:

Joe & Gale

 Penelope & Luis

 Chuy & Lindsay
 Linda & Efrain

 And of course, us!

 This guy was amazing.  I'm pretty sure he was part of the SOUL TRAIN!!!!!!!!!
I'm hoping that the amount of laughter and fun we had that night will be in indication of the amount of laughing and fun we will have for 2011!  Let's make it a great year!!!!!  Love you guys!!!!!!!!

The Baking Brooks'

This year, in addition to many other gifts, Uncle Ray and Aunt Julie gave the girls cookie cutters.  So just a few days later we HAD to break them in by making a ton of gingerbread cookies. 

Here is Olivia the expert!
 Notice how she peels the dough out of the cutter. . . .
 And carefully places the cookie on the cookie sheet.
 Juliana's turn. She was so excited!


 And what, you may ask, happens to all of the left over candy sprinkles when you are done??????  You eat them of course!
 One for me, one for you
 Okay, two for you.
Love these girls!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas Dinner

This year we decided against making a huge traditional Christmas meal and rather decided to go out to a delicious dinner with great friends.  We went to Bucca de Beppo and it was YUMMY!

Here is Livi & Joe
 Gale & Amy
 Amy & John
 Us! (thanks Omi for the cute outfits!)
 Donnie & CJ
Let's make this a yearly tradition!

Christmas Morning!

This Christmas was the BOMB!  It was really the first Christmas that both girls were ready and waiting for Santa!  We baked and left out cookies and milk for the big guy and went to bed to wait for our surprises.  I was so worried that Olivia would sneak out of bed before we did, so I managed to peel myself out of bed and waited for her on the couch!

I think this face was worth it.
 Happy-Sleepy Face!
 Babies from Santa
 Whoa - some one could have combed my hair down!
 Livi's baby
 Juliana's baby
 Let's get the gifts open!
 Meow Piano from Omi & Opi
 Some homework for Livi
 Special crayons for homework
 Juju like her new shoes!
 Paper dolls!
 Cell phone!
 Mickey books!
 Team effort!
 Thanks Omi
 Go Team!
 Fancy Nancy!
Thank you Auntie Laura & Uncle Gary!  This is so cool!

 Soda machine for daddy!  Just what he always wanted!
 Mommy looks happy with her James Avery boxes!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Santa for a very generous Christmas.  But for me, the best gift of all was spending Christmas morning with two amazing toddlers.  Seeing Christmas through their eyes completely renews the magic you remember as a kid.  Thanks to my girls!