New Year's Day tradition

Yesterday, we had the annual Cox Christmas party. Each year we get together at Grandma and Grandpa Cox's house in Tooele on New Years Day and have a party. This always includes a huge lunch and then {as long as I can remember} the kids break a pinata that Aunt Jan has made, followed by some sort of a gift exchange and yummy beef jerky from Grandpa and Grandma.

This is them, Grandpa is looking pretty good considering he had a heart attack the week before Christmas and is just home for the holidays as he awaits triple bypass surgery.

As I said before - there is usually a pinata {it went away for a few years when all of us cousins had grown up and were starting to have kids of our own} but as of last year it is back in full swing! {there are 14 great-grandkids now!} Look how adorable it was this year - a penguin, with a heart on its butt! There was tons of anticipation as all of the kids anxiously watched them hoist it up.My kids enjoyed this SOOO much and it brought so many memories back to me. The best was that Adi was the one to break it! {something I never accomplished in my 15+ years of participation} It was stuffed with small toys and candy so they all made quite the haul, Adi's bag was overflowing! Luke and Paislee didn't have the "scoop" down and were pretty particular in choosing each piece of candy before it went into their bag. Their uncles were frantically trying to help them grasp the "more is better" concept. Silly Paislee wouldn't let go of her bag once it was full and insisted on carrying it all on her own up the stairs.
I am so grateful that my kids can participate in these traditions so many years later! Fun times!

From our family to yours...

We tried to party it up last night...
I think we just look tired!
The Pickles joined in the festivities

{missing - Ike, asleep in my bed}

and so did Jeremy, Brett, and Chaddy

{also VERY tired but we made him stay up}

This was as close as these kids got to bed until after the ball dropped! {Ike and Paiz both headed out around 9}
The highlight of our night was the wii...
the kids even joined in - they liked playing the "BURP" game - it was an absolute blast to watch their faces!

First on our list for 2008 - catch the kids up on their sleep. Second, find ourselves/Pickles a wii before Jeremy moves out!

Happy 2008 everyone!

Better late than never..

Just wanted to throw a quick {almost late} birthday wish to my best friend in the whole world, Stephanie Pickle! We have been friends since 7th grade. I am now lucky enough to live just around the corner from her and we see each other {at least} like 5 times a week, I love it!

Here are a few things I love most about Steph...

• she is very non-judgemental, I can always be myself around her
• she is always up for an adventure {whether it is lunch, a play date or a week in Cancun}
• she is beautiful {and completely unaware}
• she is extremely creative and talented
• she has an adorable family
• she is enthusiastic about yummy food {same as me}
• she has a great sense of humor and isn't easily offended
• she is always up to help, especially with babysitting :)
• she is extremely thoughtful
• she is easy to talk to
• she is great with my kids
• she is a wonderful example
  

I could go on but I am afraid I might miss her b-day deadline :) I love you Steph! Thanks for being my friend for the last 16 years! You are the best!