Did someone say "snow"?

Here are some of the shots I took of the kids sledding with Uncle Jeff. They had a great time!!!

Uncle Jeff giving Gage a ride up the hill!

Ashlynn & Ryde taking off!

Gage towing his sled:

Grandpa towing Ryde up the hill with the Ranger....tough life!

My boot in the snow, so glad I reclaimed these from mom's closet :-)!

Ashlynn heading back to make another run:

Ashlynn & Ryde cruising:

Uncle Jeff protecting Ashlynn from crashing into thorn bush and fence!

The hill we had to ride up...so happy for 4 wheel drive!!

Ryder & the tree.

Gage riding with Uncle Jeff.

A little bit of Christmas.

We received over a foot of snow from Christmas Eve through Christmas day....can someone say WHITE Christmas!! Her are a few shots of the kids opening their gifts!

Ashlynn with her Polly Pocket roller coaster, I will admit I did not want to get this, but daddy pointed out Ashlynn's a great kid and it's all she wanted.....

Aunite Coleenie gave Addie the cutest fleece pants and hoodie-she loved them!

Here are they are ready to go!

Gage starting to open...

Ryder's (and all the other kids') favorite gift, an entire pack of gum, just for him!

Addie's new (and much needed) jacket.

My favorite shot...apparently she was not ready for the snow....

Christmas around here.

A couple of favorite things during Christmas, for me, are getting cards (especially with pictures!) and our Christmas tree.

This year we taped the cards to the door from our kitchen to laundry room so we could look at them all the time!

I love our bright tree....though without Auntie Paula's skills, it would never look so nice!!

What are some of your favorite things?

Ashlynn's New Do.

Ashlynn had her hair cut today and she couldn't wait to show you all! They even flat ironed it for her and she has decided that's what she wants for Christmas...I guess when you've never had your hair straight before it's a real treat :-)!!

Here it is:

Milan's stocking is complete!

Check it out here.

The many faces of Gage.

He's loving the camera right now....and I'm loving him!

Some good tunes.

Aside from the classic Perry Como, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin, this has become my favorite Christmas CD this year! There are some amazing tracks including a blues/jazz version of What Child is This?, a song they wrote that I might listen to all year long (Hallelujah-Light has Come), and many other classic Christmas songs they arranged beautifully! If you especially like singing along, this is a must, you can join in with the harmonies :-).Check it out!

Mimi and Papa's....without Mimi and Papa :-(

Since Grams and Gramps have been in San Diego we haven't ventured south for a visit. Well, Aunt Betty gave me a call and reminded me that we did have cousins and Aunts and Uncles we could visit so the kids and I hopped in the car and headed south. The mention of Christmas candy being made and a little warmer weather helped too :-)!! Here are a few pictures for you, Mimi and Papa, in honor of "coffee with Mimi"....they had it every. single. day.

Addie begged for a cup herself...maybe next time....

Thanksgiving '09

First, we need to start with what is important...FOOD!

Here are the rolls courtesy of Our Best Bites:

Here are the pies, we had apple, pumpkin and cherry, mmmmmmm!

Dale modeling and using the apron I made for him:

Jake and Addie:

Ashlynn beating all of us at the game table:

Gage feeling privileged to sit at the head of the table (how that happened only Grandpa knows...):

Ryde making his usual face for the camera:

We had a great day and ate until we couldn't move...hey, it's tradition. And we've just sort of been eating ever since. Snickerdoodles. Pecan Balls. Peanut Butter Blossoms (my personal fave). Christmas colored M&M's. Welcome holiday season!