New Year's Eve 2015

We celebrated New Year's Eve in our traditional style this year with cheese fondue and an early countdown. The Ortons were able to join us for the third year, but the Miners were out of town. This year, the Arials joined the party!

Lots of kids ready for a countdown!

Brian lookin' stylin' in his 2016 glasses.

Ruth drinking her apple juice.

Brian and Beck testing out the selfie stick.

Silly selfie faces from Brian and Devin.

Happy 2016 from the adults at the party!

Christmas in Kaysville 2015

We spent Christmas week in Kaysville with Brian's family. There were plenty of activities and plenty of snow to keep the kids entertained and happy! I also went down one day to Draper to hang out with my sister for a little bit.

The kids were excited to head right outside with their cousins and play in the snow!

Sydney played her piano song at the family music night.

Hanging with my Wesley.

Brian and Sydney...I feel like they look very similar in this picture.

Wes took a turn playing his Christmas song.

Brian's contribution was a song about his huge muscles and he gave cookies to the kids.

Family sledding at the middle school!

Claire was happy to get outside in the snow until it got cold!

I took a run down the hill with Ruth.

Me getting the sled back up the hill.

My four snow kiddos.

Brian and Claire taking a run down the hill.

Of course, no Hanks outing would be complete without a race!

My sister, Angie, and me - in coordinating colors, no less!

Wes in the snow fort that Mitchell had made.

Grandma Hanks, Wes, and Sydney playing Jenga. Looks intense!

Sydney and Brooklyn helped Grandpa Hanks make some apple pies.

Ruth helping Brian read the Christmas Story from the Bible on Christmas Eve.

The kids writing their Santa letters.

Opening Christmas Eve PJs.

Santa and his reindeer.

Wes and Sydney specifically asked me to take this picture. Wes is holding a "sack" and Sydney is being his reindeer.

Another tradition: watching The Polar Express. Soren joined us this year!

Hot, hot, hot...hot chocolate!

Santa arrived and brought a lot of gifts!

Looking through stockings.

What did Ruth get???

Sydney working on her new watch and Wes building his new Mixel.

Brian got a Selfie Stick in his stocking! It works well!

Claire was excited about her stocking as well!

Brian helping Claire open her Santa present.

Sydney got cozy in the middle of the floor with her new sleeping bag with her new Mickey Mouse.

Grandma Hanks helping Ruth open a present.

Ruth in her new chair that cousin Ryan picked out for her.

Ruth putting together one of the many puzzles she got for Christmas.

Brian, Dell, and Wes enjoying the lazy Christmas afternoon.

Ruthie cuddles with Dad. She and Claire were sick most of the week.

Fun times trying to find Wesley's Legos that accidentally got mixed in with Brooklyn's.

Sydney showing Brooklyn her new knitting kit.

Sydney showing off her new cat sweater and cat project from Grandma and Grandpa Swensen.

Risk fun for everyone (especially for those who didn't have to play). ;)

Claire helping Grandma Hanks roll dice.

Sibling date night (minus Craig and Sara). Janna and Kevin played DDR...

...while their spouses watched. This picture totally makes me laugh.