Christmas morning 2009

Aren't they just too cute!!!


Christmas Morning surprises...


A new skateboard...woohoo...look out ER here we come!


So many new and exciting things...


Trouble got his own little "Pookie" bear. He carried it around all day!

Love to all,
Jenn and gang

Christmas Eve

These were our Christmas Eve clothes this year. We were getting ready to head out to the Christmas Eve Service at our Church. J and G were so excited to get dressed up to go. G got a new dress and J had on his new jeans and his cowboy boots. Dad also wore his too to match with J. I think they all looked snazzy...


They all had me laughing so hard I kept blinking my eyes shut...








Trouble was jealous because he couldn't go so he posed for me by the tree for his picture...

Love to all,
Jenn and gang

Instead of making one Gingerbread house this year we decided to make our own individual, edible houses this year. The kids had a blast decorating them and then eating them. They had icing and sprinkles everywhere!


A blank slate to work on...






The finished product

Love to all,
Jenn and gang

Daddy's graduation...

Dad graduated from NPS on 18 December. Here are a few pics I took. Some of them are dark because the lighting was a little low in the auditorium. I had a good friend there, who's husband also graduated and she took some pics for me as well. We are so proud of our Daddy. Plus he looks snazzy in his uniform!


Got that degree in hand. . .


Marching in. . .


Getting ready to cross that stage. . .


A few photos afterwards. . .



Love to all,
Jenn and gang

Hiking

We took the kids on a hike a week ago and while exploring out and about ran across this sign. This was the trail that Dad wanted to take us down but due to the "Danger sign"...stating something about the area being "cleaned of explosives" we decided not to go that way. It really wasn't anything dangerous but I had to take their pic with the sign after Dad had checked it out. The kids enjoyed their hike in the other direction!




What is it with men and following directions...

Love to all,
Jenn and gang

My "baby boy"

Here are a few updated pictures of my "baby boy" who isn't a baby anymore. He has grown into a handsome young man. I can't believe he will graduate in May 2010. Makes my heart ache at how fast our kids are growing each day. Where does the time go?

Love to all,
Jenn and gang




He cleans up good, doesn't he?



Handsome isn't he? Check out the peach fuzz on his face...



Heading off to his 1st day of school as a Senior is his "new" ride!

Decorating the Tree

This year we decorated the Christmas tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast! One of their favorite things to do is to unwrap all of the ornaments and see the ones they have collected over the years. Especially the ones from when they were younger. I will admit to having a small breakdown when putting N's ornaments on the tree this year. I miss him so much but I know he is very happy in Texas. We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

Love to all,
Jenn and gang


One of my favorite pics with all their favorite ornaments. . .






Trouble's contribution. . .


It was J's year to put the star on top of the tree. He needed a little help from Dad!

Love to all,
Jenn and gang

Thanksgiving 2009

This year Thanksgiving was pretty quiet around here. We had our traditional dinner, which included Dad's secret sauce on our Turkey. It was yummy! We also hung up our Thankful leaves. Our original plan was to make a wreath out of the leaves but we decided to make a Thanksgiving Family Tree. Thanks to all we sent their leaves to us. It was great having all the wonderful thoughts hanging there on the wall. The kids asked if we could leave it up all the time! Trouble also got his Thanksgiving Meaty Bone. He was one happy dog!



Trouble's treat...


2009 Thanksgiving Family Tree...


Getting ready to eat...

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jenn and gang

J's 8th Birthday

J celebrated his 8th birthday on Nov. 13. He was so excited to be turning 8. On the kids' birhtdays they get to pick out what they would like to eat and what they would like to do. John chose to go to Panda Express. He had his favorite dishes (orange chicken, mandarin chicken, chow mein and pot stickers. He then got to go to Cold Stone for some yummy ice cream. We then came home and had cake, which this year he chose to have an Indiana Jones Theme, and ice cream followed by his favorite time...presents! He received many great gifts from new clothes, toys, roller skates, movies and most importantly (to him anyway)...money! All in all he had a great day!


The birthday boy in his new outfit...


My take on an Indiana Jones Themed cake. . .


One of his new nerf swords he got. . .


Clowning around with Gwyn (her idea)


Two peas in a pod. . .

Love to all,
Jenn and gang