New Tradition

Hopefully we started a new tradition this Christmas. We all went to the temple and did baptisms. It was awesome to be there together.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve brought much fun and tradition. First there was the annual fight at the dinner table, it must be the stress and anticipation of it all, because it never fails, but that's what makes it fun, right? After that everything seems to run smoothly. All the kids get to open their new pj's and put them on. Then we watch Mr. Krueger's Christmas, it doesn't matter how many times I watch that I still love it and I learn everytime from it. Next we watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas, again I love it and learn from it. It is a fun night.

Christmas Eve Jammies

Christmas morning. Faye got a new table for her playroom

Santa brought Rock Band. We have quite the group.

Ward Christmas party

Michelle and Greg put on a great ward Christmas party. Breakfast was yummy with hot fresh cinnamon rolls. The primary kids sang and Noah too sang a fun gospel Christmas song. The high;ight of course was Santa. Faye sat on his lap for the first time.

One of Faye's favorite people Kelly Stoehr

Tess with Sierra Vance and Sierra Hansen two of the many great girls in the ward.

More Christmas Fun

We had some fun outings in December. A trip to see the Disneyland parade. A trip to Sea World. And our annual evening with the Reese's and Smith-Warnick family. We have been getting together with the Reese's for about 17 years and with Michelle and kids and now how great Greg and his kids for at least 10. We have had alot of fun this Christmas.

Sea World

Disneyland

Waiting for Parade to start.
You can't see it but it is snowing on Main Street

Reese's Home

Tess has fun hanging out with McKay and Trevor

Bret playing some ping pong with Jared

Diane always has a fun game for us to play.

Faye's Christmas Program

Faye's school put on a fun Christmas program. Her class sang "All I Want For Christmas is My Two Fron Teeth" She is always very serious. It is hard to get her to smile, but she did great. At the end of the program the kindergarteners came out as angels. It was awesome. She is shy, but this really helps build her confidence. She is one of our 7 angels. (soon to be 8!)

Flu Shots

Kaiser called last week and told us we should all get a flu shot. So we took everyone and off we went. We didn't let on to Faye about it, until Noah got in the car from school and shouted, "Now it's time for our flu shot." Faye didn't miss that announcement and so the tears started flowing. We got her calmed down by telling her she would watch us get ours, she said she would but she was not getting one. Well, guess what?

Tess was the brave soul who went first

I don't really care for shots, but it really didn't hurt.

I think Glen was secretly afraid

Christmas Fun

Besides all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we are having some fun too. Last weekend we went to the Ritz Carlton to see the giant gingerbread house. This year it was a gingerbread castle. It is fun to see.

I also love to bake during the holidays. I spent a full day last week baking and putting them away in the freezer to pull out on Christmas Eve for the family and some for Santa too.

Reese came by at just the right time. We used her thumb for the thumbprint cookies.

Faye is always so helpful in the kitchen and loves to do the sugar sprinkles.

The Best Christmas Gift Ever

They have arrived! Bob Jones' cookies are here. It is the day we wait for every December. Bob spends all day and bakes cookies for his friends. We luck out and get 2 plate fulls. They are amazing. There are gingerbread men, peanut butter, sugar, chocolate chip, oatmeal, brownies, pinwheels and spritz wreaths. Wow! Thanks so much Bob.

Oops, Be Carfeul What You Leave Out

This is Reese after she found Tess' make-up on the couch. It's amazing they know exactly what it is and what it is for.

It Doesn't Take Much To Make Him Happy:)

Daddy was in heaven this past week. He went fishing with 3 of his kids and caught fish with each one and had a trip to Cabela's. first fishing with the kids. He was in Northern California with Noah and fished the Trinity River. Then in Utah, our hotel backed up to the Provo River. Tess went out with Glen for an hour and caught her first fish, she was quite happy with herself. Faye went our the next day and believe it or not she and Glen caught 5 fish. Happiness for Glen, it really doesn't take much.

Now for Cabela's. Cabela's is like Nordstrom except all manly. It has hunting, fishing all kinds of outdoor gear. And every time I have been there it is very crowded. But then you go to check out and nobody is in line. I think men just go there to hope and wish and dream of all the wonderful toys they can buy. I noticed Glen's eyes glossing over as he looked at a new fly rod.

Thanksgiving in Utah

We had a wonderful trip to Utah for Thanskgiving. We had dinner at Bret's parents house. It was a great meal and fun to be with everyone. After dinner and pie there, we went to our friends the Shield's house for more pumpkin pie. Needless to say we were stuffed!

On Friday we went ice skating in Provo. I wasn't feeling great so I watched and did some mending for Chelsea while everyone else skated or tried to skate. Tess and Chelsea were great, Tess even did a little jump. Faye held on to her daddy real tight, when she got brave enough to let go she would look ok for a few seconds, then the feet would come out from underneath her and bottom would hit ice. Then there was Noah, he couldn't get his ankles straight for the life of him. He was hanging on to the wall until he found the magic cone. The cone became his constant companion and he could skate!.

Happy Birthday Chelsea!

Chelsea's favorite cake

Aunt Laura's Cake

Today is Chelsea's birthday. 2o years old, no longer a teenager. We were up in
Utah with her last week for Thanksgiving and took her to dinner at the Market Street Grill and to see the Temple lights (along with every other person in the Salt Lake Valley) It was great to all be together to celebrate. Chelsea , we love you.