Cookie Exchange

Jilly, Hilary, Alex, Lisa, Megan & Desi
Opening presents - jammies & matching bags

Jillian & the Fave Five

Jillian has made some great friends since she's been at Westridge, and today she had a cookie exchange with her "fave five" - Hilary, Lisa, Desi, Alex & Megan. She didn't even mind having me around, so Shellie (Hilary's mom) and I had the chance to catch up and drink hot buttered rum while the girlies did their thing. Love moments like this!

Kirstin, Adam & Burke

Burke & the ladies Jilly & Burke

Kirstin and Adam Gentry came and tiled our basement bathroom, and so the renovations begin... They actually renovated their own house awhile back and did an amazing job, so we were so excited that they wanted to come do our bathroom. The best part (other than a lovely finished job) was that we got to spend time with them and hear about their lives - Adam's leap into dental school and Kirstin's new role as a full time mom. And the icing on the cake was hanging out with Burke today. Kirstin has a special place in our family's heart as she was Mallory's first babysitter, and it was fun to see our girls holding and playing with Kirstin's baby. It's amazing how God brings wonderful people into our lives, and we are blessed because we know them.

The Girl's Got Rhythm

Bree, Jillian, Anna, Lexi & Kylie (part of the group)
The instructor, Jessica, & some of the girls at rehearsal.

Jillian and her hip hop dance group had their debut performance last night at a local talent show, and they were fantastic. They've been rehearsing this particular dance to "Shackles" by Mary Mary, and Jilly we've discovered has great rhythm (her piano teacher's been telling us that too). They get to perform again two times on Sunday, and it's a pleasure to see her having so much fun with it.

Christmas Songs at Starbucks

Jillian played Feliz Navidad & Let It Snow.

Mallory played Winter Wonderland.

Love hearing the girls play the piano, and even better - they love playing it. We don't even have to nag them to practice. If only getting Mallory to clean her room was that easy . . .

Mallory's Christmas Concert

Mallory & Grammie

The Lakewood alumni were invited to sing the Hallelujah Chorus with the choir.

Tonight we went to Mallory's Christmas choir concert at Lakewood High School. The evening was fantastic, but even better was the opportunity to watch Mallory doing something she LOVES - singing. She had a singing part with a couple of girls and was excited and confident and was of course, fabulous. We love hearing her sing - in a choir, in the car, with her friends or in her room. It's all great, and the best part is she likes all kinds of music so we get to hear a variety. Right now her favorites would be Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Rhianna, but that could change tomorrow. We are so proud of you Mallory!

Baddeley Visit

Peter, Joy, Jenny & Eric
Eric - doing the "twist"
Jillian & Callan
It's hard to believe that they were once 3yr olds at Wilmore Kindy together.
Peter & Eric
Men their age should NOT be wearing matching hoodies!!!

Ribs - need we say more

I took the Baddeley family to the airport this afternoon, and now the house seems so quiet and empty. We had such a fabulous time with them doing lots of touristy things, shopping and just hanging out and being with them. Now we have even more great memories to add to the ones we made with them in Australia.

Baddeley Visit Highlights -
Jillian - skiing at Copper Mountain, playing the Wii with Madie & Callan and eating ribs on their last night
Mallory – snowball fight and agreed with Jillian about eating ribs
Joy – consuming a couple of great bottles of red wine with Jenny & Eric on Sunday night and staying up way too late talking
Peter – celebrating Eric’s 50th at the Buckhorn Exchange

We miss you Jenny, Eric, Madie & Callan! Until next time . . .

Baddeleys Have Arrived

Eric, Jenny, Madie & Callan flew in today from Australia and brought with them a homemade Christmas fruit cake for Peter - his present from the Forrest family. I think Jan had little faith that I would actually make him one, and she is probably right. Good thing the cake made it through customs even though Callan's suitcase didn't.