Pre-New Years Snow and Welcoming 2011

After a really dry fall we were happy to see a little white stuff.  We took advantage of Dad's days off and went out sledding at our favorite hill at Cal's school.  I had to break in my new sled the kids got me for Christmas.

Dad pulling them back to the car.

For our last day of 2010, we decided to let the kids stay up this year.  Cami fell asleep around 10:15 and could not be woken to see the ball drop.  Cal on the other hand watched all the festivities and especially loved the New Kids on the Block on the Dick Clark Countdown -- takes me back to being a kid and staying up to watch them, not as young as Cal, but sort of a kid, right?  Cal and I slept on the couch after I turned the tv off at 1:30.  So after years of wondering, I think Cam and I have proof that he would stay up all night long if we let him.  He wasn't even too rotten the next day.

Christmas 2010

Christmas Catch-up

We had a great Christmas season full of car rides to see lights and way too many treats.  We did our traditional night of Chinese food with my mom, sister Dana, and niece Casey and then went to show them some of our favorites houses.

Christmas came early for Cam as he got to stitch his own face after falling onto a cleat during football on Christmas Eve morning.  He actually declared that stitching his own face was all he wanted for Christmas.  Sure he is pretty tough  . . . check out his pink kitty bandaid. 

Christmas also came early for me as my new oven arrived earlier than expected.  The old one caught on fire during Cam's office party that was at our house.

BEFORE (with our friend Bob the chef)

 AFTER

On Christmas Eve we did the Auger family traditional dinner of Swedish meatballs, potatoes, cabbage, and rice pudding.  We opened our one present each - pajamas again, of course.  We read from the scriptures, had a few piano solos, and then Cami directed us in the Nativity.  She was Mary, Dad was Joseph, Cal was the drummer boy, and Mom was the wise man.

Christmas morning we woke up around 7:45 and opened stockings and had dream cakes and then opened presents.  Cal gave Cam this sweet mug from his school.  Cami got a Pillow Pet, Zoobles, and Barbie Glitterizer from Santa and Cal got a Nintendo DS and Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash.  I think Cami's favorite present was her "American Girl" (or a Target version) that Cal picked out for her.

Sunday morning we had Grandma Linda and Papa over for breakfast and presents.  Sunday night we had Dana, Scott, Casey, and Granny over for dinner and presents.

They may have also gotten some face paint for Christmas . . .

Mad Scientists

We had so much fun for Cal's 7th birthday party.  We did several experiments and made lots of messes.  It was an 80 degree, sunny November day so after outfitting everyone in lab coats and safety goggle, we took the party outside.

Jello Petri Dishes

 Color Change Milk

                                               GAK/slime

 

 Lava Lamps in a Bottle

 Sediment Shakers and Tornados in a Bottle

 Shake your own Ice Cream

I didn't get any photos of the Alka Seltzer Rockets or Mentos Cannons

but they were AWESOME and the kids loved them. 

Several of the cute kiddos have told their parents that they want to be scientists when they grow up.  One kid who went to a Chuck E Cheese party earlier in the day said that Cal's party was way better . . . makes a party-planning momma's heart happy!!! 

Most experiments from http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

Seriously . . . Seven?!?

I love this boy!

Seven Things About Cal @ 7:

1. He still loves the Beatles.  I think his favorite song may have switched to "Hey Jude".  I hear that one more now than his previous favorite, "Day Tripper".

2.  He still loves baseball.  The baseball trip with his dad, grandpa, uncles, and cousins may have been the highlight of his year.

3.  He still loves Legos.  He went to Legoland this summer and he loved every second.

4.  His sister is his "best friend for life" and she wouldn't have it any other way!

5.  He rocks at math and loves science.  See future blog post for today's science party.  It was a BLAST!

6.  I think he is the friendliest kid I know.

7.  He recently told his class and teacher that he is Jewish.  I think he is really looking forward to those 8 crazy nights. 





Joining us tonight is Cameron from Aurora!

Monday, September 13th:  The best baseball game (even though the Rockies lost) we have ever been too! And we've been to a lot of great games.

Our friends picked Tom and Erica picked a great night. The kids played and went home with 4 baseball cards each and made at least two appearances dancing on the big screen.  Dinger sat next to us.

and then there was this . . .

I think this makes his top 10 list of coolest things he's ever done.  It'll make the Christmas card for sure.

Cam high fived spectators all the way back up the stairs.

Everytime I leave my great camera at home I miss a fantastic shot.  When I lug all my gear, nothing exciting or interesting happens at all!

Here's the story in Cam's words:  Kelly was up on the concourse, they asked her, and she like "OK, but I won't catch anything." Then she's like, "Could my husband do it?" Went out there, a lot nervous, don't want to embarrass myself. The field is thick like a golf fairway. I heard it was spongy, but really its just thick. The girl shot the first one off center and short, it was spinning. I had to sprint to get up to it. Then the second, I figures she'd shoot longer. Nope. Waited to read it and then had to sprint forward as well. Made both catches at my waist, running forward. It was awesome. Cool to be cheered by 34,000 people. I gave high fives back up the row, people shouting, "Way to go Cameron... Nice Catches..." SO COOL.

Thanks Benzons! And thanks Erica for the pictures!