Happy New Year 2011!!

Party at Wayne and Melissa's. I took these pics from Kyle's facebook... does anyone else have some to add?

Melissa's 30th birthday was December 28.

Wayne made some scrumptious carrot cupcakes!

Happy B-Day, Meliss!

Uncle Randy feeding Meg

Chandler hitting the bottle early...

looks like someone needs to make a New Year's resolution!

Snick went to a New Year's Eve EVE party with the Beehives

the night before and was the first to fall asleep.

She got written on with a sharpie and must have felt the need to

retaliate somehow... even if it was poor little Jared!

He's half asleep... he doesn't mind!

We were playing a game downstairs and realized it was almost midnight. We rushed upstairs and turned on the TV for the countdown but had to pause it because we still needed time to pour the sparkling cider.... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Evans'

In the midst of all the chaos I didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked.  So, if anyone has more to share post them, or send them to me!

Brad narrated the nativity and Kannon accompanied him on the guitar.

The grand finale!

We were glad Grandma Christensen could come!

Christmas Eve 2010

Happy 13th Anniversary Shane & Vicki

Christmas Cards 2010

Grandma Christensen

Mom & Dad

Aunt Linda & Uncle Jim

Debbie & Randy's family

(this year Debbie made different cards for everyone,

so this is just one of the many cute cards that were created & sent out)

Carlson family newsletter

(click on it to make it large enough to read)

Julie & Charlie

Brad & Candi's family

Kevin & Cynthia's family

Suzy & Milo's family

Lance, Natalie & Lyla

Vicki & Shane's family

Wayne & Melissa's family

Nativity Pageant

This year a Live Nativity was done in Las Vegas again. It took place at the opportunity Village and was sponsored (I believe) by Debbie's stake. It was really well done!

Meg was the only one who didn't like it.

Ginger Bread Houses

Wayne said after this, " I see why Mom only did one." Ours aren't nearly as perfect as hers always are, but the kids had a good time.

Jared and Snicks House

Chandler and Charlie's house

Rylan and Wayne's house

The whole village

Family Pics

Kevin & Cynthia's family pictures turned out great.... good job, Natalie!

I took the following pics from Blake's facebook:

Cute Kids!

Good-lookin' couple!

Cynth, you're so pretty!

Roomies.... Tylee & Blake

Kevin's Bighorn Sheep

After putting in for 14 years, Kevin finally drew a once-in-a-lifetime tag to hunt a bighorn sheep. His hunt area was Unit 272 in Nevada which is the Gold Butte area south of Mesquite. Kevin scouted for 10 days and hunted for 8 and was accompanied by both Brad & Wayne (although Brad wasn't there for the kill). Kevin shot at a ram on the third day of the hunt at 450 yards, but the terrain was rough and he was winded. Finally, on Wednesday, December 1 Kevin's patience paid off. His sheep is a 7-year-old ram and scored 159 on the Boone & Crocket Scale. Congratulations!

Christmas Food Court, Hallelujah Chorus

I thought this was a neat video and wanted to share.

Happy Birthday Rylan!

Rylan turned 7 yesterday.  He picked shrimp and hush puppies for his birthday dinner.  He also wanted a white cake with chocolate frosting.  On Friday at Grandma and Grandpa's house he also got ice cream sandwiches.  He was really excited to get a new bike and helmet for his birthday too.  

Rylan is a cutie and a good boy!  He is very responsible and takes good care of Meg.  He always does well in school.  His favorite specials are P.E. and Library.  We love him very much and can't believe he's seven already!

Sugar Cookies

by Melissa Evans

"My friend made these for us and we all love them!".

Sugar Cookies

2/3 C Shortening (butter)

3/4 C Sugar

1/2 tsp Grated Orange Peel - Whole Orange (I used 1 Tsp Orange extract)

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1 Egg

4 tsp Milk

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 Salt

2 C Flour

Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar, orange peel, and vanilla.  Add egg, beat till light and fluffy.  Stir in milk. Sift together dry ingredients. Blend into creamed mixture.  Divide dough in half.  Chill 1 hour.  Roll out on floured surface to 1/8 inch thick.  Cut shapes. Bake 375 about 6-8 min.  Cool before frosting.

Rylan's Baseball

Rylan was sad when we missed the sign-ups for Little League (oops... wink, wink!)  But, the very next day his friend called because his Nevada Youth Sports team was short a player.  It was the morning of their first game and Rylan scrambled out the door to get there.  He stole the show!  A lot of the kids on his team were playing for the first time, and he had two seasons behind him.  The coach offered him a "signing package (tee-hee)" we couldn't pass up:  Rides to practice, and a free season!  (Since the kid whose spot he took broke his arm, he had already paid the money for the season even though he couldn't play)  I couldn't say no.  Ry started out as short stop but, since he snagged every ball that came to him and threw it hard, and accurate to the first baseman, who may or may not have been paying attention, the coach thought for everyone's safety, he should be moved to first base.  He played first for the rest of the season where he made some pretty impressive outs.  He also hit several home runs!  Go Rylan!

First baseman

Running to first

Chandler's Green Belt

Chandler has been really enjoying Taekwon Do and working very hard at it.  He is very focused in class and practices a lot at home.  He even holds little Taekwon Do "classes" for Rylan and Jared.  Last Wednesday he got up in front of his class and all of their parents and tested for his Green Stripe belt.  He did a great job.  Today he was given his green belt by his teacher Mr. Byers.

Off with the old yellow belt, and on with the new green one!

Chuck and I were laughing at how serious he looked.

Chuck and Chandler with his Green belt certificate.

We really need a high speed camera for this kid's fast kicks!