We wish you a Merry Christmas...

This year, I was able to host Christmas dinner.

My aunt and uncle (my dad's sister) were able to join us.

My parents each have one sibling and I have had both of my aunts and uncles to dinner at my house in the past 6 months. Wow, that is amazing!

In picture: TeamZ, Get Down B, J. Crew, and J. Crew part 2

In total there was 23 people for dinner. It was a fun time. We even had English "crackers" for everyone to open. I think the kids liked the bang and the toys inside. I have no idea what we are going to do when the children grow up and get married.

Picture a Christmas...

Every Christmas Eve my family reenacts the Nativity Story. When we were little we would act it out every year. I remember always being the Shepherd. When we were older we would read it out of the scriptures. Now, we are grown and have children of our own. Our kids get to act out the Christmas Story for us.

This year we started with Samuel the Lamanite(G.B.) stand on the wall foretelling of Christ birth.


H is the Inn Keeper and tells Joseph (V.J.) there is no room in the inn.


R is the angel bringing glad tidings to the shepherd (S.J.)


The shepherds and sheep (R.J., N.B., S.J.) coming to worship Baby Jesus (E.B.) who is being cared for be Joseph (V.J.) and Mary (A.B.)

The Wise Men (K.B., J.B., and E) coming to present Baby Jesus with gifts for they have seen the new star and followed it.

Our Picture of Christmas 2009!

" For unto you is born this day...a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

- Luke 2:11

Parenting

I thought about putting this on Facebook, but it is a moment to be shared with closer friends and family.

This is from lds.org

Parenting: "Good parenting, while very challenging at times, offers great potential for happiness. Parents can experience great joy by building a strong, loving home environment and teaching gospel principles, which can help their children lead righteous, happy, and productive lives. (See 3 John 1:4.)"

This moment is one of the more challenging!

Happy Boxing Day!

Welcome Cristmas!

"Fah who for-aze
Dah who dor-aze
Welcome Christmas,
Come this way! "



"Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer...
Cheer to all Whos far and near...
Christmas Day is in our grasp
so long as we have hands to clasp...
Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we...
Welcome, Christmas, while we stand
Heart to heart,..and hand in hand."
-"The Welcome Song" from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas tv show

All I want for Christmas is...

Okay, not quite 2 front teeth. Just one.

R lost the tooth today.
( It was all I could do not to pull out the other one just so we could make the song come true.)

A Fun Chritmas Craft

Take a sugar cone. Put frosting in a circle on a plate. Place the cone on the plate upside down. Frost the entire cone. Decorate with candy. Enjoy! It's a fun craft to do with friends.

Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad Reuben...

This year, H was a sheep in her school's program. A sheep with attitude. She sang a duet about Bad Reuben. Just imagine the "bad" sounding more like "baa".



She gets into her singing and motions. Hopefully, we can add a video later.

We love our little lamb.

O Christmas Tree!

Another monster tall tree. I think it is our prettiest yet.


Cutting down the tree at our favorite tree farm.

It is always one of our favorite outings of the year.

Jingle Bell Rock

Jump for joy!


H and her dance class were able to preform at the Festival of the Trees. They danced to "Jingle Bells" and were very entertaining.


Shaking those bells!


H keeps it together and is a true professional ;)

I love watching the beginning dancers.

Visting Santa 2009

H had a little Christmas dance performance, and look who was there. It is Santa.


E, just hand me the candy cane.

R, smiling for the photo op.

H, a little unsure of the whole thing.

The Final Week of the Book of Mormon Reading Challenge

If you are on schedule, this is the final week of reading. As you finish I hope you feel closer to the Savior. May you feel His love now and always.

How I feel lately...

Like the Grinch before his heart grows 3 sizes.

I love Christmas, and the celebration of Christ's birth. I am sick of all the extra work that comes with it. So watch out, you are talking to a Grinch!!!

Daddy-Daughter Date

What is better then a night out with your dad?


Making it on tv, too. Then you can come home and see the recorded version.

Book of Mormon Reading Reminder

Today's reminder is written by Aunt Lisa. They flew the coop!: "Today you should be on P.421 and in my favorite book....3Nephi! I am loving the moments away from the hustle and bustle to read these beautiful words."

My Little Heart Breaker

Let's start with the most important thing. Thanks Coach Richie! You are the most amazing coach. You coach with such intensity, while still making it fun. The girls love you, and you are a parents' dream coach. We hope you keep coaching for years (hint, hint)

This was E's fourth year playing soccer. She loves it more each year.


When E first started playing she seemed to have this invisible force field that would only let her get so close to the ball. No matter what was going on in the game she was always the same distance from the ball, but wouldn't touch it. That has all changed. This year she was one of the top scorers on her team.


She has really started to understand the game. Her team has reached the point where they communicate to each other and know how to move the ball down the field.

Way to go Heart Breakers!

My Lady Bird

This was R's first year playing soccer. She was able to be on the same team as two of her really good friends, and yes this is the best picture I have of the 3 of them playing together:(
Not only did she have great friends, but her coach was the High School soccer coach (no picture). We are so lucky he has a daughter the same age.

R was a great soccer player. She was not afraid to go after the ball. She really not that big, but seriously whenever she was running to get the ball other players went flying out of the way. Picture a bull in a china shop.

R has determination. She would run up and down that field. R didn't like it when it was her turn to sit out.

Here are the Ladybirds after their last game. They all look like they worked hard!

Thanksgiving 2009

This year we were able to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. I am so thankful we all live so close, except my oldest sister. I know it is rare to have your parents and most siblings within an hour's drive and I appreciate it.

My sister, Beth, hosted the dinner. Here is the beautiful bird she made. FYI, She used Alton Brown's recipe.


Here is Nana entertaining the kids on her computer. This is my sister's mother-in-law, but she has adopted all the kids and have them call her "Nana". In the picture are R.J.(cousin), H, and G.B.(cousin). Yes, it is one of the rare boys in the family.


Here are E, K.B.(a cousin), and R enjoying the day together.


I noticed all the pictures are date 2/10/2003. I don't know why, but 2/10/ any year is always a fantastic date. Coincident, I think not!

Book of Mormon Reading Challenge

Today is day 36 of reading. With reading 10 pages a day, you should be making quite a dent by now.

To be honest, I am quite behind. I have been under the weather and need to catch up. Hope you are doing your best and enjoying.