And We Danced Anyway: January 2015

So we've made it through the first month of winter. So far, it has been a mild winter, and that is just fine with me. I know we need more moisture, but I enjoy not having to shovel snow.

January was a pretty uneventful one in the Hastings' household. We spent most of our time indoors trying to avoid the cold. We did have a couple of exciting things happen . . .

Nikki got us all tickets to the Utes gymnastics meet. We all hopped on trax and had a fun night watching gymnastics.

The kids love riding trax

I sat next to these two silly boys. They made me laugh with all of their dancing!

Then we celebrated Dan's 36th birthday. I was super nice and bought him an ice cream cake from Coldstone . . . then I put it in the fridge and not the freezer. Duh! So this is what his ice cream cake looked like the next morning. So then I went back and got him a new ice cream cake which I did remember to put into the freezer.

Happy Birthday hugs!!

It also was a very big month for Hannah. She got her first set of braces on last week. She has been in a bit of pain, but she will be very glad one day that we got her braces.

Before shots

The big day!

Here we go!

After!

She's got a long road ahead of her with her braces, but we are glad to finally get started!

And there you have it. The end of another month.

Well, it looks like we made it to the end of another year. It's always fun this time of year to look back at all the awesome things we did last year, and to look forward at more fun things coming this new year. Although we don't have any definite plans for this upcoming year, I am sure it will be full of fun and new adventures!

Dan has been in town for most of December, and it seems that he will be staying closer to home for a while. He took a new position at his job that will have him working here most of the upcoming year. Yay!! He also found out that his elbow did have a slight fracture. He won't have to wear a cast, but he is supposed to take it easy, and keep his arm in a sling for the next little while. I'm glad it wasn't any worse than that.

We had a very busy month here at the Hastings' household. We had many parties and spent a lot of time with family and friends. That is what makes this time of year so great! Get ready for picture overload!!

When it's cold outside we like to stay in and play games together. This night, Hannah beat us all at Ticket to Ride.

Then I tried to get a picture of Emma as she was running away

This was taken on the way home from out family party at the cabin.

We love to go ice skating as a family. One night we took the girls out for family night.

Ready to skate

The girls had a piano recital this month. I am sad because this was their piano teachers' last recital, and she is no longer teaching. We are going to try and have Dan give the girls lessons now that he will be in town more often. We are very proud of how far they have both come playing the piano!

Practicing before the show

Pretty girls!

This is at the recital. They did a song with boom whackers before their pieces.

Sunday before Christmas we had a extended FHE at my moms, along with a talent show. It's so fun to see all the talents our kids have!

I went with my parents to see Peter and the Starcatcher at Pioneer Theater this month. I love going to plays!

This was my Merry Christmas text picture - looking just like Scott Farcus.

Daniel got me a new camera for my birthday and I was so happy! My old one was falling apart.

Trying out my new camera!

I took this picture of Dan and realized it looked like he had a flower on his head, hahaha!

For my birthday my family planned a big surprise party for me. They told me that I would be having a race with my brother that night (I've been telling him I want to race him for a while now) so I got all dressed and ready for our race.

Our tough faces

Then the surprised me by talking me to the Wairhouse instead!!!!!!

It was all fun and games until Chris Routson decided to twist his ankle.

Yuck!

Off he goes to instacare!

Dan didn't jump because of his elbow

My mom even got into the fun! (my dad was out of town:()

Afterwards they took me for ice cream at Leatherby's!!!!!

And Chris and Amber made it back from instacare just in time!

I don't know why I order such a big scoop of ice cream, I only ate about 1/3 of it.

Teaching Emma how to play Rummikub

Christmas Eve we spent with Dan's side of the family. This is a Christmas Eve tradition that we really enjoy!!

Cute kids in the toy closet!

Then we headed home and the girls opened their new pajamas and their gifts from each other.

So cute!!

Then we watched It's a Wonderful Life and ate cinnamon rolls!

Christmas Day was here before we knew it!

Spoiled!!

Then we headed down to my parents to celebrate!

I always buy the kids books for their presents

Madness!

Haha! My brother got this for Dan!

Jeffy showing me his new shoes

Cute brothers!

They are spoiled at nana's too!

We got my parents a statue of Posiden because of all the water problems they have had in their house. Let's hope it helps :)

We had Dan open a fake present this year. It was a Dream Griddle. An alarm clock with a build in grill. Haha! It was just a fake box, but it was funny to watch him open it.