"Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town"

Our apartment complex has a Christmas party every year.  We made it this year and so did Santa Claus.  Jocelyn wasn't very excited.  She was actually pretty terrified.  If Santa simply looked at her, she freaked out.  Once he gave her a candy cane she warmed up a little bit but she would not sit on his lap.  We told her she would get a present if she sat on his lap but that didn't tempt her.  Dave finally held her and took her over by Santa and she did okay until he stood up to get on their level.  She was scared but I got a couple of pictures and she got her present.  Success! 

I think she is choking Dave.  That's as close as she would get.

Santa had to give her a candy cane so she wouldn't freak out too much.  She got 3 candy canes that night.

Family/Jocelyn Pics 2012

We got our family pictures and Jocelyn's 2 year pictures taken last month by our friend Robin. Again, she did a fantastic job!  Here are some of our favorites.

 

Family Shoot:

 

Jocelyn Shoot:

Silly Jocey

I just have a few pictures that I wanted to share of Jocelyn. She can be so random and silly. I love this little girl. She always keeps us entertained.

How can this even be comfortable?

 

She randomly started posing so I had to take a picture.

 

At our Ward Christmas Party, Jocelyn decided she needed to hold our chins.

Jocelyn is 2!

This past Friday was Jocelyn's 2nd Birthday and I can hardly believe it. She got two celebrations this year. Lucky girl. So to start off the celebrations right, Friday morning, she got to open her presents from Grandma Joy and Grandpa Larry. She got a new outfit and a book with a rabbit. She loved it!

 

She loves her Velveteen Rabbit.

 

"I'm 2."

 

Then that night we headed up to Dave's dad's house and had dinner and cake. Jocey opened her presents from Dave and I (building blocks, a coloring book, and two puzzles), Grandpa Ray (Squinkies), and the McCaffrees (candy in a bobble head kitty and a squishy toy). She loved these too.

 

Such a supportive family.  We love it!

 

On Saturday morning Jocey had a friend party. The theme was "Minnie's Bowtique." We colored pictures of Minnie and Mickey, played "Pin the Bow on Minnie," and played Balloon Ping-Pong. The girls seemed to enjoy themselves.

 

The girls were very creative with the "Pin the Bow on Minnie."

 

Balloon Ping-Pong

 

After the games, we had lunch. They had Mickey shaped chicken nuggets or PB&J sandwiches, cheese (shaped like Mickey) and crackers, and grapes. The adults got pizza. We had cupcakes decorated like Minnie and then Jocey opened more presents. She got Beauty and the Beast Playdoh, a Color Wonder Set, and a little kitty.

 

YUM!

 

Jocey's best girl friends.

 

She made out like a bandit this year.

 

Jocey's friends left with a little goodie bag that I put together. It had a Minnie/Mickey puzzle and hair bows inside. We invited Jocey's "boyfriend" but he got sick but he got a bowtie in his goodie bag.

 

Sometimes it's hard to believe I have a 2 year old and then sometimes it seems like she's always been with us. She brings so much joy to our lives. Here's a few words to describe Jocey. Dave contributed too. She is smart, sassy, funny, sweet, cute, skinny, animated, talkative, pleasant smelling, loving, independent, entertaining, and the list could go on and on and on.

 

Happy Birthday Jocelyn! We love you!

 

Oh and to see all the goodies/crafts I made for Jocelyn's birthday, visit my other blog HERE.
 

Let the Festivities Begin!

To start off all the fun to be had in the month of December, last night we went to an Ugly Sweater Party.  It was great.  This was my first one and it did not disappoint. 

Everyone brought an appetizer or dessert (I made BYU Mint Brownies) to share.  We had Mocktails.  We played a couple of games ("pass the orange from neck to neck" game and "guess the character" game).  My team won both!  There was lots of mingling and a White Elephant Gift Exchange.  I was surprised how nice some of the gifts were.  Don't worry there was a $5 limit so we didn't have flat screen TVs or anything but there were still some nice things.  Dave and I will have to do better next year because ours were last second gifts from around the house.  The night ended with announcing the winners of the Ugly Sweater Contest.  They deserved to win.  Here's some pictures of all the contestants.  You be the judge and tell me which are your favorites!  I've numbered them so you can tell me which picture.

#1



#2



#3



#4 

 

#5 

#6

Here's the winners of the night.

 

And here's the funny story about our sweaters. Dave's was found in the male section of Goodwill but it had shoulder pads and his sleeves were too short. I got mine in the women's section but didn't try it on. It was probably a little small to begin with but then I washed it and I'm pretty sure it shrunk...ALOT. I could barely get my arms through, it didn't even go down to my belly button, and I could hardly button the buttons. But all these flaws of both our sweaters really added character I think.

 

THANKSGIVING

This year we went to the McCaffree's (Dave's aunt and uncle) for the Thanksgiving feast.  It was so delicious and I wish we could do it again because I'm almost out of leftovers.  But I think I'll survive.  At least I'll try.  Anyway, here are some photos of the day.  I didn't get any of the actual feast because I was busy scarfing down the food myself.  But I got some other good shots.

There's always a need for a good nap after the feast.


It wouldn't be a Ricks gathering without some games.

Jocelyn loved cousin Brian's goatee.

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving.  We know we did and we have so much to be thankful for!