Jake loving the snow

Jake loves to snowmobile. We weren't sure how much snow would be at my parents' cabin since the storms were late this year. Jake was not disappointed. We got to the cabin & it wasn't long before he was working on the snowmobiles to help get them ready. After playing with the kids for a while he decided it was his turn to take off & do some jumps. There was a lot of powder & so taking off the jumps & landing it was just a big puff of snow. He got a lot of air, but it was hard to tell with the powder blowing all over. It gave him a good ride & thankfully he didn't get hurt.

Time in McCall with Family

We went up to my parents' cabin the day after Christmas to spend some time together. It is so beautiful up there & so much fun. Saturday we spent hours outside playing in the snow, riding the snowmobiles & making good sledding hills. It was overcast, but it didn't feel that cold out so it made it much more bearable to be outside. The kids loved being pulled behind the snowmobile on a tube, riding the snowmobile, throwing snow at each other, sledding & just having fun. The yard is perfect for all these activities. The lake goes down enough that it gives us more room to snowmobile. There are even areas where the guys can do jumps with the snowmobiles. It's the perfect place!! We had lots of fun being together and are grateful to my parents for allowing us all to go up there together.

Melissa & Rachel trying to walk through the deep snow to find a good sledding place.

Brooklyn & I enjoying our time on the tube. She loved being outside and had so much fun on the snowmobiles, too.

Brooklyn & her cousin, Avery are best friends. They like to be together even when they don't get along.

Jake took the kids around for hours on the tube. He is so good with the kids.

Allie really like sledding down the hills. It wasn't too fast & the hill wasn't too hard to walk back up.

The gang all outside enjoying the snow & company.

Allie & Brooklyn stayed on the snowmobile long enough that it relaxed them & even put Allie to sleep.

Melissa & Brittany loved jumping onto the tubes as it drove around.

Greg with his son, Max, going down one of the sledding hills. They live in CA so this was new for Max. He did seem to enjoy it.

We loved being outside together as a family.

Christmas Day 2008

Christmas, this year, was a lot of fun. It's not because the kids got a lot of presents--they didn't. We followed the same plan we had last year-one main gift & a few other small things. It's been so fun to see them so excited over what they get even though it's not a lot. I always start shopping in November & then watch the deals throughout December to make sure I get the best deals. That definitely keeps me happier-spending less money. For the most part, the best deals have been in November. Anyway, it was a nice quiet Christmas morning. The girls slept in until about 8:30AM & they finally came down to our room & climbed on our bed. They started getting very excited so we had them line up on the stairs so we could check & see if Santa had come. It's fun to watch the excitement & see their eyes light up. Since we don't buy a lot of big things for them, they usually get something they really wanted & they enjoy it so much more. And yes there are limits--sorry, Melissa, still no cell phone. =) We spent the morning putting some of their things together before we headed over to my parents' home. We got together with my family for brunch & spent the afternoon together. We went home just before dinner & then got a phone call that we needed to go back to my parents' house. We had no idea why we needed to go back. No one would give us any clues as to what was going on. After we finished eating, we hopped back into the car & headed over. When we walked in the front door, my youngest sister Deborah & her family were there to greet us. They live in S. California & we didn't think they were coming. What a wonderful surprise!! It was so good to see her with her husband & 2 cute boys.

The girls lined up on the stairs waiting for the ok to head off into the family room. Once we said "come on in" they took off as quickly as they could to find what Santa had brought them.


Nicole with her new boombox

Brooklyn trying to figure out how to get the wrapping paper off her playhouse.

Melissa excited over her ipod dock

Brittany is our future fashion designer. It didn't take her long to start drawing out her ideas.

The girls got really excited over the family gift. This was my deal of the year. Thanks, RC Willey!

Allie got a karaoke machine. She is our little singer & she thought it was great to have a real microphone so she could perform to her favorite songs.


Deborah, her husband Greg & Max & Cole. Cute family! Thanks for coming!!

Christmas Eve

This year, we all got together at my parents' home for Christmas Eve. It was a very enjoyable evening being together with almost the whole family. The grandchildren acted out the Nativity Story & it was just beautiful. They were very serious & did an amazing job. They were very excited & performed so well. All the parents were very proud & took pictures throughout the whole thing. Thanks, to their Aunt Lucy, for helping them learn it & practice so many times. =)


My Dad read to us out of the Bible the story of Christ's birth. It's not a long story, but it is always a sweet moment to take the time to read it straight out of the Bible & truly reflect on Christ's birth.


Chris, my brother, was born on Christmas Day, so we took some time tonight to wish him a happy birthday & enjoy cake & ice cream.


The kids always get excited when it's time to open their Christmas Eve gift. They know it's going to be pj's, but they still get crazy & can hardly wait to rip the wrapping paper off. All the grandkids looked so cute & comfy in their new pajamas.



The girls got the sugar cookies & egg nog ready for Santa. Brooklyn got some reindeer food from nursery at church, so she & Jake sprinkled it on the grass for Santa's helpers. They braved the strong winds to feed the reindeer.

Christmas Season

I love the Christmas season!! I don't particularly like the commercialized Christmas--fighting the crowds, spending money & stuck in traffic. I don't feel the Christmas Spirit in those situations. I do love the smells, the sights, the sounds. I love turning on my Christmas music & listening to it almost nonstop until New Years. I love seeing the Christmas lights & seeing my kids faces light up when we see a really decked out house with lights. I love the smells of all the yummy foods that we make or receive from friends. The whole experience just makes me realize how much people like to do things for others. It's so nice to see people smile & want to do something nice for someone else. It's this time of year that I see so many acts of kindness & love towards others & we think more of Christ & His life. I always wonder why it doesn't last the whole year, but maybe that's why this time of year is so much more meaningful cause we notice it more & are grateful when good things happen. Whatever the reason, I love the feelings I have this time of year & always look forward to this season each year.

The girls enjoying putting a gingerbread house together

One of the many houses we enjoyed seeing this year. Our favorites are the houses with the lights synced to music on their own radio station

The girls ready for church in their Christmas dresses

Toys for Tots

Today, we took the kids to buy toys for the "Toys for Tots" program. We like to do something every year for others so our kids can think about those children who don't get much of a Christmas & realize how much they do have. They really enjoy doing this & I've been happy to see how excited they are to fill up the cart with gifts they know they aren't getting for themselves. I hope it is somehow teaching them a lesson about helping others, thinking about others & understanding how blessed they are in their lives.

Brittany's Christmas Program

Brittany's school had a Christmas program today. It was put on by the 4th & 5th graders. They did such a great job. Lots of kids were involved by saying parts, singing parts or playing instruments. The theme was "Christmas Around the World" and so they sang different songs that came from different countries & shared some traditions. It was so nice to be at an actual Christmas concert & not just a "winter program". I just don't understand why people are so offended to learn about other cultures, religions & traditions. I have always felt that if my children learn about other ways people live then they are more accepting & understanding of others and also more grateful & stronger in who they are and what they believe. I wish more people felt that way so we didn't have to limit so much of what is taught or celebrated in our schools.
Brittany had a part in her program & she did a great job. The children all sang the songs beautifully & several times I had tears in my eyes listening to them. I love seeing all these children perform, especially at Christmas time. It always helps to get in the Christmas mood.