Tournament of Roses Parade 2010

We got up super early, and decided we came this far....we would leave without breakfast!!! We boarded the metro and learned how to take all the lines to Colorado and Allen Streets in Pasadena. Fun to be among the crowds of people. We scoped out a spot of unmarked sidewalk and we could see really well. They are all so amazing!!!! I recommend that everyone needs to see the parade live at least once in their life time.

New Years Eve...Hollywood Style

The whole gang was up for a New Years Eve adventure. Since our Christmas was relaxing....we decided to jazz our holidays up a bit. We took Scott to Hollywood and stayed up in L.A. We learned how to take the metro from our hotel to Citywalk, just outside of Universal Studios. We were starving and to keep the troops from getting angry we decided to feed them. Bucca de Beppo was calling our name. Oh...yummy bread, pasta and salad....a carb watchers nightmare, but oh...so mighty good! We were a different bunch after our family style dinner dwindled down to bread crumbs on the table.

We proceeded to window shop. Our dad never shops, so Scott got a taste of what it is to shop with Dad. He is asking everyone if they want this or that. Way funny. We could have seriously gotten into more debt. The funnest story was when we went into this Bath and Body type store and the girls were very content for about 45 minutes learning about all their natural products. Every girl got to figure out a new beauty regimin with samples. They guys could hardly stand a foot in the place without gagging of the smell. Oh...well, they could have shopped somewhere else. Haha!!!!

There was a 80's band that was planning to play at the City Walk and we decided to hang around. Before we knew it Kevin was up on stage in front of 1500 or so people. We had no idea what they had asked for...but he raised his hand. That's our dad!!!! So he gets up there and then they say it is a talent contest. The only talent he has is his wife and kids. He proceeds to tell them he has 6 kids, and the host says, well this is family show sir, can you please think of another talent. He decided to do a weird whistling sound he does. With his nervousness he could not perform. He ended up stripping off his coats...and we will just leave it that. He ended up winning a t shirt and hat. Who says we never win anything???? We had lots of laughs and embarrassed teenagers. We headed back early, and watched fireworks from the hotel. We had to get to sleep so that we could go to the Rose Parade the next morning.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was a great day at the Farrow house. We all slept in and Santa did make his visit. Brinley loved all her gifts. A funny story goes like this.....Brin had the chance to sit on Santas lap at the ward Christmas Party. One day she was telling me all the stuff that Santa was going to bring. They were things I had never heard about. She said "mom, don't worry about it Santa knows and you will just have to wait and see them when I get them" The faith of the little ones!!!! Way to cute.

We had fun with picking names out of a hat this year. We were focusing on the giving this year. It was very heart felt. Everyone really thought about each gift and how to make it special for their particular person. We revealed each gift giver as we presented the gift. A new family tradition for sure.

Christmas Eve 2009

We were so thankful to have Brittany and Scott home for the holidays. We missed the grandparents and other family this year, but celebrated with our dear friends the Moore's and Kunze's. Mom prepared a yummy dinner earlier in the day. To her surprise the traditional Red Velvet cake and turkey actually turned out. Yummy!!!!! We all got together in the evening and first had our dinner. Then on to the Christmas Eve Program. Father delivered a Christmas message of the nativity and shared a message from President Monson. "It is not what did we get this Christmas, but what did we GIVE!" Perfect for for our family this year. Afterwards we had a talent show. Brinley performed her shamu tricks...because she wants to be a sea world trainer someday. The kids sang and played the piano. It was a fun treat to have the Kunze's play the guitar. Wow, Fred is amazing. We can't wait to go hear him play in the Gaslamp.

After the guests left, we opened Nanny and Bompas gifts....for we knew this meant Christmas P.J's for everyone. It was perfect!!! We had fun watching Brinley perform her many personalities....she was auditioning a talent show and did renditions of songs by deaf performers and blindsided performers....this meant cross-eyed!!! Way to funny.

Holiday Goodies

Brittany and I decided to get a little domestic in the kitchen. These holiday yummies took a good three hours, but we were anxious to see if they would turn out and taste as good as they looked in the Better Homes and Garden magazine. The chocolate part was super. The filling to die for. It had marshmallow cream. The recipe called for 4 cups of butter and 9 cups of sugar. Haha...our friends will never know the true calorie count...but who is counting this time of year!!!! We had fun going Christmas caroling around town and delivering our little surprises. For your info these are called "Peppermint Crunch Woopie Pies", worth the effort!

Scott's Graduation BYU I

Kevin and I had an unexpected early Christmas gift of going to Rexburg to see our kids. We knew Scott was planning on graduating...but to their insistence and humbleness they told us don't worry...you guys don't need to come. A few weeks before the semesters end, Scott was awarded the privilege of speaking at the commencement exercises and would graduate Cum Laud in the graduating class of 2009. We are so glad that we did not not miss the opportunity to be with them. The Olsen's were there and our visit was so fun. Scott did a great job. He was able to sit on stage with the Dean of the Business and Communications College, Sister Bergstrom. The spirit was strong. The visiting Apostle, Richard G. Scott spoke along with President Clark. You could definitely feel the love these men have for these students. They have so much to look forward too. Brittany plans to graduate this coming July...and we are sooo proud of the both of them in getting their education.

Day after Thanksgiving Visit

On our way home from the Arizona mountains we got to stop and visit the Brandon Farrow Family in Gilbert. We were able to see their new house and all the fun upgrades they have put into the fixer upper. Way to go guys!!!! It was fun to see how the kids are growing up. Life is all about family, food, and laughter!!!!