Festival Of Lights!

A little snow couldn't stop us from going to see the Festival of Lights. The kids actually thought it was quite fun as snow flakes fell on the tops of their heads. It did make it feel a little more like Christmas. We knew the kids would love the display of lights, since it's a must every year. We drove to the golf course and all loaded into the back of the truck. It was a slow night, with only one other car there besides us. Zayn was funny as he would holler, "A DRAGON, A T-REX, IT'S SANTA'S WORKSHOP!" That excitement is what makes the Holiday's for me! As we circled the park, Adam heard chanting of "Lets go again!, Lets go again!" coming from the back of the truck. Adam circled around and this time Caleb drove so Adam had the opportunity to jump in the back and ride with the rest of us. After noticing wind kissed cheeks and red noses on the kids and Mubeen :) we decided to head back home. We were so glad the other Heaton family went with us! We hope we can do it again with them!

The Amazing Race & Treasure Hunts!

Whenever the Heaton's get together, Aunt Maria puts together some of the funnest activities for the kids! This year there were three different events. The younger kids went on a treasure hunt, finding different clues and a hidden treasure filled with candy and fun toys. The middle aged kids began a game of Fear Factor which didn't last long due to much dry heaving, tears, and fear! The adults had fun as we watched our children become sick over mashed potatoes with red food coloring, marshmallows dipped in cheese and ketchup, and a life saver hidden in different cups filled with color liquid(soda). They were obviously thinking about it too much! After realizing they were not going to make it through the first station of Fear Factor, they changed course and went on a treasure hunt. I asked several of the kids if they still had fun and they all said YES! Maria put together the game of "Amazing Race" for the older kids. They were given the first clue and had to figure it out and find a way to the next clue. Some of the clues required them to travel to the next town. Adam and I were the taxi for a few teams. I loved them watching them get excited, and you could tell their adrenaline was pumping! Especially the boys! At one point we had three teams in the car and I had to sneak a quick picture. They were focused and eager to win! I love the look on Zane and Abraham's faces!
Some of the pit stops and challenges were:

They had to decode a clue which had them to try hummus.

Then they had to find their own way to the Blair's house (next town) which required them to build a replica of the Eiffel Tower with tooth picks.

After that, they had to get themselves to the Gubler's house where they had to make a pizza and find someone to eat it. This took us back to grandpa and grandma's house so they could feed the unbaked pizza to the pigs. They figured this would be faster then waiting for it to bake and finding someone to eat the whole thing before they could get their next clue.

So back to the Goubler's we went so they could get the next clue and then back to grandpa's and grandma's house where they had to find Maria and learn a song and sing it in Portuguese.

Then after they completed that task, they had to make a cup of herbal tea and only using a spoon, transfer the liquid into a tea cup where their other teammate had to drink it. The first team that completed the challenge won!

I think I had just as much fun watching them as they did playing the game! Maria surprised each person with 5 dollars and the winning team with 10 dollars each! The looks on their faces were great! She also gave the winning team a box full of candy bars and told them they could do what they wanted with it. And wouldn't you know the winning team shared with everyone!

I asked each of my girls what their favorite part of the week was? Can you guess what they said...? Of course it was all the fun things Maria did with the kids! She has touched and left a special mark on each of these children's hearts! She is amazing!

Minute To Win It!

After Thanksgiving dinner, the Tonioli girls put together a game of "Minute To Win It" for everyone! Five teams competed in different challenges. I have to say there were times when I was glad I hadn't volunteered to do a certain challenges! :) I think Sadi and I made a great team with the tissue box! ;) Some of the games consisted of:

1-Knocking over five cups with a yo-yo tied to the back of your belt loop.

2-Trying to get a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands.

3-Using only Vaseline on the tip of your nose to pick up cotton balls and race back to put them in a container.

4-Using one hand at a time to rotate a stack of plastic cups one after the other.

5-Emptying a tissue box by pulling out one tissue at a time.

6-Unwrapping Hershey kisses using oven mitts for gloves.

7-Pushing your partner on a coaster around the gym in hopes of recording the fastest time!

Good times with memories we will never forget!

Thanksgiving!

A few things to expect when the Heaton family gets together for Thanksgiving:

• A lot of noise!



• A lot of food!



• A lot of game playing!



• A lot of people (72 this year)!



• A lot of laughter!



• A lot of visiting!



• A lot of funny story telling! :)



• A lot of planning for Black Friday!



• Lack of sleep! Who needs sleep? :)



• Lack of seeing our children because they are to busy playing in the barn with cousins.












• Can't think of a better way to spend the Holiday!
  

The older girls were sweet to help the younger kids with some fun activities! They painted nails, made flowers, and drew pictures of what they were thankful for. I love this time when they can create memories with cousins!

We missed those who were not able to make it this year! Hopefully next time!

Playing With The Cousins!

The kids had such a great time playing with cousins! It has been a few years since the kids were able to all play together. In a span of two years they sure do change. Makell and Madyson really hit it off! Their likes and interest are very similar! Kourtney and Kaitlyn had just as much fun. They enjoyed coloring and making masks, playing chubby bunny with a mouth full of marshmallows (thanks to aunt Mubeen!), decorating cupcakes and making pilgrim hats, and spent a lot of time playing in the toy room. One evening we all went and played laser tag. It was so much fun! One team was definitely stacked! At one point during the running around, we heard Mubeen & Caleb collide with each other. We all ran to see if they were okay. As the adults were all gathered around her, I noticed all of our sensors blinking and going off. After a few seconds of trying to focus in the dark, I noticed a circle of guns surrounding us. Makell, Madyson, and Zayn had their guns pointed at us and they were pulling the triggers as fast as they could. They took the prime opportunity to rack up their kills! It was quite comical! We wished they lives closer so we could do these fun activities more ofter!

Our Little Artist!

I love Makell's drawings! They always put a smile on my face!