Christmas!

We had a very quiet Christmas this year, it was just the 5 of us and while we missed having all of our family here or being somewhere with them...it sure was nice to lay around in our pajamas all day!

The tree before

Santa and his helpers trying to wake up
The carnage after

Ron and I actually did get a chance to get away for the night after Christmas, so we went to Coeur d'Alene and stayed at the resort there. They had a fun little cruise to see Santa's village that I wish I had known about when the kids were small. Of course I forgot my camera, so these are the best I could get with my phone...
All in all, a very nice holiday season!

Christmas Traditions

Today was the day for putting together Gingerbread Houses! We do this almost every year and it is one of my favorite times!

The Prep The PiecesThe Production

Danny's...now this needs to be seen up close to be appreciated. Dan is always a little "creative"...this year we have the sleigh (being pulled by pigs) crashing into the roof with Santa falling through and once again the Man Eating Kangaroos...all in the Christmas Spirit!Lindsay'sMcKenna'sLove it!

MLHS Drill Team Guy/Girl 2009!

While it is still so weird to Ron and I that Lindsay is not in Drill Team anymore, we are so happy to watch McKenna grow with her team and see how excited she is almost everyday about the things they do! This past week was concentrated on the annual Guy/Girl performance, where the girls on the team ask guys from high school and they spend a week learning just about the most entertaining routine of the year...keeping in mind, it is all in good fun and certainly not polished!

This year's theme was "Super Hero and Damsels in Distress" (I think)...well, we definitely had a vast assortment of Super Heroes, and given the fact that these guys and gals had about one week to come up with an idea! They did great! And I do need to say, the amount of Shocking Pink and Black girls outfits that came out of Moses Lake and the assorted towns beyond surprised me!

McKenna, Shelby, Amber & Ciarra

Ciarra & McKennaMcKenna and her "Ninja Turtle Super-Hero" Kyle

All the HeroesAll the GirlsGood Times!

The Nutcracker

This year McKenna's dance company Today's Generation along with The Moses Lake Ballet Academy put on a short version of "The Nutcracker". It turned out really well...the costumes were beautiful, all the girls (and one guy) did a great job and the audience loved it!

What a great way to start the holiday season!

McKenna as Chinese Tea

All of Chinese Tea...Dayna, Camielle and McKenna

McKenna with her friends...Kayli, Ciarra (Arabian Coffee) and Taylor (one of the party invitees)

McKenna with Mattie (Clara)

McKenna and Caitlynn (The Snow Queen)

The Finale

WSU Dad's Weekend!

Ron went down and spent the weekend with Danny at WSU for their annual "Dad's Weekend"! He met up with family from the Westside that were there visiting our great-niece Nicole. I wasn't there, but I know they had fun, they left the game at half time 'cause the Cougs were being wiped out, had a yummy chili dinner courtesy of Aunt Debbie, saw a comedy act and ended the night with some poker. Good times...I can hardly wait until "Mom's Weekend"!

Nicole's Uncle Jeremy, Nicole, her dad Tim peeking his head through, Ron's brother John, Nicole's Grandpa and Dan's Uncle Bear (all the same person), Ron & Danny

She Thought the Day Would Never Come!

Lucky Friday the 13th of November, Lindsay turned 18!!! It was sad for us that she was in Arizona and we couldn't be there to celebrate with her, but her good friend Ashley flew in from Utah and spent the weekend with her and her friend Rachel from across the hall in the dorms was also there! I'm pretty sure they had a great time and didn't miss not being home too much! So where exactly does the time go? 18 years is a long time to not seem too long ago that she was celebrating her 1st birthday!

Big brother loves her!

Growing up!

At least she got the Cute cake we sent her! I hear it was delicious!!

Ashley, Lindsay & Rachel

A very Happy Birthday to a beautiful girl that we MISS. You are making your mark on the world and we LOVE and are proud of YOU!

SO EXCITED!!

McKenna was given the A-OK from her ballet teacher to start on POINTE! She is so excited, she can hardly stand it...let's wait 'til her feet are killing her and see how she feels! We're proud of you McKenna, keep up the good work!