~Christmas 09

We had a wonerful christmas with family! The break was so relaxing and we enjoyed the RAIN. Every morning we lit the fireplace, watched Christmas movies, lit the Christmas lights, listened to christmas music, lit the candles and enjoyed friends (kids) and goodies for the whole two weeks. I wish we could do it all over again :)

It was a month to give of service in many ways.

~Performances

We love December and all the fun things the kids do. It was jam packed with practices and performances. The kids did great and we survived :) I love going to help out in Blake's class and work with the kids. It was exciting to put the school work away and make some gingerbread houses. After mom sat in the car waiting for Blake to get out of school. It was raining and mom was bored so she ate most of the frosting and candy off the gingerbread house! We did make another one at home :)

Blake sang, danced, played a musical instrument and memorised his parts. He was Hanz from Sweden and was so cute.Austin and Garrett's Choir groups got to ditch school and go to Disneyland! Austin's "Sound Wave" group performed at the Carnation. Both boys got to go "Back Stage Disney" and have someone professional teach them and make a video of them. I always love going to chaperon. I chaperoned 5 boys (6am-10pm)! I am used to having girls. I had to be a boy and run around with them while laser fighting the whole day. I did what ever they did!!! They ate nothing for breakfast, candy for lunch and finally pizza for dinner. It was fun.

Austin's "Sound Wave" & Garrett's "Show Choir" groups performed at a few middle schools and elementary schools. We love to see them sing and dance (with girls). They enjoy being in these groups. It keeps them busy and out of trouble. Well they don't ever get into trouble.

Austin raps at 3:38!!

The girls are in the High School Dance Production. We also love watching them perform and having fun with their friends. We are amazed at how good these groups are. Kelsey also performed in "Show Choir"! Good job girls. This does keep them busy and out of trouble! Dang...Kelsey is now taller than her big sis Ashley and mom!

~Temple Trip

~Santa Baby

We had our Ward Christmas party and Blake was so excited to see SANTA! Someone else was excited to see him too! He couldn't wait to read his "WISH LIST" to Santa.

Austin decorated our family table for us. He did a great job.

It wouldn't be a party if we didn't hear the Primary Children sing some Christmas songs. They were so cute.

Then it was time to clean up and TAKE OUT THE TRASH!!

~Lost Tooth!!!!

Blake's 1st official tooth loss.

He knocked out his two front teeth years ago falling out of the bathtub.

He came running to the car so excited with the plastic tooth necklace. He does not know where or when he lost it! He thinks he might have lost his tooth while eating lunch!

His hands were so dirty as he dug in the playground and under the lunch tables looking for his tooth! I told him the tooth fairy still comes. He is worried that someone will find his tooth or it will be lost. We reassured him that the Tooth Fairy will take care of that also. She is magical :)

Here is his prize he got from his teacher for being good. He calls it the "Bling Bling Teeth". The reason he chose these is because he wanted to be just like his cool Uncle Philm who had gold teeth last Christmas!

~Happy Thanksgiving

We had a Wonderful Thanksgiving with family at my sister Heidi's new home. Grandpa brought Airplanes & a Microscope for everyone to find interesting things and stick under to look at (we won't mention what they were :). We missed you Oregon family xo We ate, watched movies, played with cousins and dogs, made christmas crafts, chatted, played inside & outside with the fun cozy weather! We had the BEST DEEP FRIED TURKEY, stuffing mashed potatoes & gravy, yummy punch, the famous cheeseball, cranberry jello, Hawaiian rolls, succotash & yams. The pies...oh my...pumpkin, pecan, apple & chocolate!!! We had great servers who took our pie orders!Thanks family for doing it all and putting up with me and my hurt rib!?. My sweet girls kept taking secret pictures of me in pain :( Love the CHRISTMAS LIGHTS already up Shawn! It was funny when leaving and he said "Merry Christmas"... is it that time already? :)

~Happy Birthday Craig

Craig- You are a wonderful Husband and Father. Thank you for all that you do for our family. You work hard and never complain. You make us laugh every day and you are the best cook ever! The first time I met you ~ you were the Elders Quorum President in the Singles ward and I was the Bishops Secretary! Now you are a Bishop and I am ... the YW Secretary besides many other things! I am grateful that you have always loved to serve and you are a great example to our children. You are our Spiritual Giant. Happy Birthday!!!

~We did it!

I could not sleep on election night waiting for updates on TV & the computer. I felt like it was Christmas! Through Prayers, Fasting, Faith, listening to our church leaders & a Miracle - "WE DID IT"! I'm so grateful for all who supported & worked on Proposition 8 (for MANY weeks). Even up until the end with youth standing "peacefully" out in the rain at 6AM holding signs (again) one last time!

It was interesting to be a "Pole Watcher" for a couple hours by myself & later helping with many others at our "Headquarters" from 9am to 8pm (doing MANY tasks & eating - I was distracted by all the good food). Everyone has a story behind this. For me it's another miracle in my life & I feel comforted (for now) and happy for what I supported!

Thanks you guys, for all your hard work & for voting yes on 8! :) I also woke up (after 3 hours of sleep) feeling that for me this is a "New Beginning" to a great future in many ways! I feel blessed & I am thankful.

~Halloween pix

Cousins & Friends!

~Yes on Prop 8

We drove the streets to see what it looked like before waving our signs. I got goose bumps seeing all the 200+ families in our little area together in favor of protecting & restoring traditional marriage. We were so excited. We got LOTS of honks, thumbs up, & yelling "yes" for two hours.

It was so much fun & great for our kids to support something that they believe strongly in now & for their future. Blake yelling "Yes on 8"!

It was getting dark & they did not want to leave!

~Happy Halloween

Ward Halloween Party

Our Bishopric!

~Congrats Boys

We have a third teenager in the house! Happy 13th Birthday "Austin".... He loved the fireworks and special song by Grandpa Bigler.

Do we "LOVE" cake or what?

We are so proud of "Garrett". He made 6th grade Student Council & is the first in the family to do this!

~Girls CHS Homecomming

Kelsey & friends...pictures in the park/dark!!!

Ashley, Dallan & Friends. Pictures taken at Harveston Lake. It was freezing and they were all so giggly!!!

~CHS Class Destinction day

Ash & her friends ~ "Juniors"

Kels & her friends ~ "Sophomores"

Silly Sisters

Dance Buddies