Play Time

 This morning we woke up early to take the kids to the indoor park at the mall.  The stores open at 9:30am but the mall opens up early.  We got there around 8am and we were the only ones there.  The kids got to run and play, it was great. 

 This tug boat has been in this mall since I was a little girl.  My brother and I used to play on this exact boat.  It's been moved and I'm sure re-done but it's the same tug boat that I played on at the same mall.

 Ila got to play a bit....she was tired and didn't really like it.

 Since my mom is on Christmas break she came with us.

 This playground is on the 3rd floor of the mall.  Here is the view we had. 



Great Gift Idea

 I want to show one of our gifts that we got for Christmas.  It's such a great idea and the perfect gift for any family.  Everyone can use it and even the person that has everything can use it.  My brother Todd and SIL Stephanie got this for our family. 

It's an emergency kit.  It will last us about 3 days and I can keep it in our van.  I'm going to add toilet paper, size 3 diapers and bottled water. 

Here is a look at the inside.  Three packs of freeze dried food (expires in 5 years). Little bottles of alcohol, a very warm blanket, a tarp and a well stocked first aid kit. 

I have been meaning on doing this and now I can just add to it.  The basics are all put together. 

Sleeping Baby

There is just something so sweet about a sleeping baby.  

Christmas Day 2011

 Christmas morning was so fun.  My brother and his wife Stephanie came over early along with my parents to see the kids wake up and open gifts.  Mark's mom Connie spent the night with us and the night before helped us stuff stocking for EVERYONE!  We stayed up late and watched the movie A Christmas Story while wrapping and stuffing stockings. 

 Here are both Grandmas.  They are great friends and truly love each other. 

 Here is Aunt Stephanie showing off her new scarf and socks.

 Here is my mom showing off her new hat and bling.

 Connie has never been with us on Christmas.  This was so special for her and for us to have her here.

 I made Ila May 3 new headbands.  This is one of them.

 The kids got Mark a fun puzzle.  They love doing puzzles together.  This one is so sweet because there are 3 little kids on it in a candy store.  The oldest is a girl the second is a boy and the youngest is another little girl.

Lulu and Levi each got a new Volkswagen.  Can you tell who got which one?

Then in the afternoon we all went over and spent the rest of the day at my parents.  They had their annual Christmas open house.  We saw more family, friends and neighbors.  My mom made a ton of food and we just nibbled all day long on all sorts of nummy things. 

This was Ila May's first Christmas.  We had so much fun spending time with family.



Christmas Eve 2011

Today we had a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration over at my Uncle Rick and Aunt Bev's house. This is a tradition that we have had for years, since I was little.  We have gone to Aunt Bev's for Turkey sandwiches and gifts for as long as I can remember. 

 Here we all are!

From left to right: Ila, me, Tom aka Papa (my dad), Lulu, Chris aka Grammie-goo (my mom), Mark, Stephanie (my brother's beautiful wife), Levi, Aunt Karry (Aunt Tamar's sister), Todd (my older brother), Aunt Tamar (married to my Uncle Bob), Uncle Bob (my dad's younger brother), Aunt Bev (my dad's older sister), Uncle Rick (married to Aunt Bev).

Missing: Aunt Linda (my dad's oldest sister), Erika & Rick her husband (Linda's daughter, my cousin), Cousin Mark (Aunt Bev's son), Cousin Heather & Adam her boyfriend (Aunt Bev's daughter), Zazel & Avi (Cousin Heather's & Adam's children).

 Papa and Ila May

 Uncle Todd and Aunt Stephanie

 Aunt Tamar and Ila May

 Levi playing by the Christmas tree

 Aunt Bev playing a new game with Lulu and Levi.

 Levi with his new "fire truck" that Uncle Bob and Aunt Tamar got him......he was over the moon!

 Grammie-goo and Ila May

 Brothers, Uncle Bob and Papa

 Dessert!

 I LOVE this picture!!! 

 The girls!

 After all the gifts and food Uncle Rick took the kids to see his trucks.  Levi was in heaven.

Last time we were over at Uncle Rick and Aunt Bev's Levi got to sit in the trucks.  He has been so excited to go back over not for presents or toys but to see Uncle Rick's trucks. 



We hope you have a...

Merry Christmas!

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Our Little Artist

 Lulu has found a new passion.  Painting! 

 Yesterday when Levi and Ila were napping I spent some great time with Lulu painting.  We had a blast and we are going to make this a new nap time activity for her and I.

I just love this little girl.  

Mark proposed.....

 7 years ago today!  Here we are today and below is us back then.

Another fun fact about Dec. 18th is that 3 years ago today I found out I was pregnant with Levi!!!