New Year at Tiff's

This year we had the latest Christmas Vacation ever. We got out of school relatively late on December 22 and didn't go back until January 8 because of the way the weekends fell. We decided to use that time to start the year off right, so we planned a trip to two new national parks. Joshua Tree and Death Valley, both in California, made the list. But first, we'd be staying at Tiff's house for the new year.

The last few years, we've visited Natalie's sister, Tiffany, in Las Vegas over the break. The weather is actually pretty pleasant, so we come down after Dad's birthday. This year, with the late break, we came down late and used it as our jumping off point. We left on Saturday, December 30, and made the long drive, with only a short stop for food and gas in St. George. We got into town in the afternoon. The kids were really happy to have cousins to play with. That night, there was even a stake dance that the three oldest boys attended.

We played at the park the afternoon we arrived.

Randy and Ben had fun on this swing.

Hattie loved swinging, too.

Crazy boys!

Hattie was reading Randy to sleep!

On Sunday, we went to church around noon. After a regular Sacrament Meeting, they had a short message about studying scriptures in the new year, and then snacks in the gym. Then we went back to Tiff's for New Year's Eve. Jonny deep-fried an amazing turkey, and we ate and snacked until midnight.

Tiffany had some fun party games, too. First, we pulled a string to try and get our favorite candy treat. We could trade the treat up to twice, white-elephant style. Most of us got what we wanted. Then we rolled a can of garbanzo beans to try and earn another prize. Dax went first on that one and won the grand prize, which was a slinky with five dollars in it. The final game was a drinking game, but designed for the kids. Five drinks were hidden in a box. From only a short sip with your straw, you had to guess what each drink was. Dad was easily the worst at this one, getting only the water correct. Everyone else got three or four right. 

All the kids made it to midnight, but the fireworks here in Vegas set a few of them off. Even though they were just neighborhood fireworks, they were massive and ran from around 11:30-1am. The kids were grumpy and tired, and there were a few tears as the fireworks seemed to be right over the house, but we all made it to bed, ready for our new adventure on January 1.

It was fun to go to church with the Pooles.

Randy raced Hattie on her bike...and won!

This can rolling game was a lot of fun!

Everyone loved trying for the prizes.

Happy New Year!