Silverstar BC!

For mid-winter break we headed up to Canada to enjoy some good snow and amazing slopes!

This year was really exciting because we had 3 kids skiing! It is so fun to see them learning new things and the excitement that comes from conquering something. We went up with my parents and brothers (minus Talmage...we miss him!!!) The snow was great but it was pretty cloudy so that was a bummer!we did plenty of this...Ethan's first time playing in the snow, he wasn't quite sure what to do at first :>Brayden showed him...Check out this icicle that uncle Mckay found! It quickly became a sword!We were at Silverstar when the Olympics were going on in Vancouver (a little West of where we were) and the torch had been carried by someone at Silverstar, so they had it on display. We were in the right place at the right time and were lucky enough to get to hold an actual Olympic torch...with the official mittens that I got at Christmas!

Camera-napped

This is what happens when a child get a hold of my camera...

3..2..1..

We let the kids stay up until midnight this year...they were pretty excited about that! So at 3 minutes to midnight they started practicing.closer...3...2...1

Happy New Year! I hope that 2010 brings much happiness and joy to our friends and family!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Shawn's dad hasn't been feeling well, but he was feeling well enough to have a party for his birthday so we went over to celebrate with him! Apparently, he is turning 1! :>

Merry Christmas!

I love the smiles on the children's faces on Christmas morning. I love the twinkling lights, wonderful smells, Christmas stories and the anticipation of Santa! I wish we could stay in this wonderful, simple, believing period of our children's lives, but I know that they will continue to grow up and soon be too cool for their mom. But until then, I'm going to treasure these moments!

This is each of them with their favorite gift.
We have truly been blessed this year, it has been a year of many ups and downs but we have been guided and watched over by a loving God and I'm so grateful for Him in our lives! Merry Christmas!

Mary, Joseph and a newborn babe

Christmas tradition #3: The nativity

What is Christmas Eve without Mary on a donkey with a Santa hat on?AngelsShepherdsand WisemenWe even had a surprise visit from St. Nic herself

Ethan was quite confused as to why Kailey was dressed like that...the rest of the kids loved it!

Happy Birthday to me!

For my birthday, my parents to me and grandma Lil to the Rockettes. They had gone with Shawn and the girls in Michigan, however, I was unable to go because I had just given birth to Brayden. So, when they came to Seattle, it was my turn! We had a great time! Though, it made me wish I had longer legs...