Christmas 2008

I was afraid the stockings would fall off once they were filled, so I laid them on the ground. The two on the far right belong to Milo & Holden (in that order).Jillian asked for a silver dainty necklace, and I think she got at least three.

Every year we choose books for the girls. This year we picked one they wanted and one we wanted them to have.

Even though we don't do the Christmas Eve thing with jammies like some families, they still get a new pair every year.

Mallory has been asking & pleading & begging for a keyboard to put in her room. The small package fooled them both...

...but not for long. Mallory knew immediately what it was...

...and here she is playing the new present from Dad & Mom - though it won't take up residency in her room.

Chillin after the excitement is over.

At Grammies house

Jilly & Mal in front of Grammie's tree

Mallory got a new camera from Santa and took lots of pictures. This one is with Haley. Carrie made amazing balloon animals & people for the girls.

Just hangin out before the "battle of the gifts" begins.

We did a family "Chinese Gift Exchange" at the end of the evening, and this is before it (Jana) got competitive and crazy!

The limit was $10 for a gift, and Adam put $10 worth of pennies in a box.

Candle & Veet?!?!?!?!

There are not limits, so Tyler stole these from a 6 year old.If Matt had listened to Jana he might not have ended up with the make-up kit.

Peter was the 1st person and then got to make the final choice. He ended up with the bottle of red wine, and Jilly ended up with the marshmallow shooter he has in his hand.

The older grandkids - Carrie, Courtney, Brad, Ty & TJ

Mallory & Carrie

Jilly & Carrie

Well Christmas and New Year have come and gone, and I am just now getting around to posting something. The pictures tell our story. For us it was simply all about celebrating Jesus with family and friends.

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 . . .