Christmas 2010!

Merry Christmas! I know, I know, I am really late but I still wanted to get this posted. We had a wonderful Christmas. The girls got some of what they wanted, but not everything on their list. Who could afford it? They each got an American Girl doll, pillow pets, snuggies, clothes, shoes, stuffed animals, ear muffs, DVDs, board games, WII games, etc... We all got spoiled rotten and had lots of fun! I love Christmas!!!

I am still trying to teach my girls that Christmas is not about what you receive but what you can give. It's a hard one to teach. Every year Matt's entire family picks a family to help for Christmas. We each take one of the kids and buy Christmas for them. I always include my girls in this process and sometimes have them use some of their own money to help buy the gifts. It has been such a touching learning experience for my girls. They have really come to understand that not everyone gets what they get for Christmas. So for us, we will keep this tradition going! It helps to really give us the true Christmas spirit!


MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We hope everyone has a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

Oh what do you do on Christmas Eve with 14 grandkids under the age of 12, 10 parents, 2 grandparents, and 1 great-grandma?

A little posing with the cousins for a cute pic!...


A lot of the chocolate fountain...especially for Maggie thanks to uncle Matt! That thing is a hit with the kids and grown ups too, it's yummy!...


A little chalk board time...


A little wrestling in the kitchen...

How about a talent show? (which my pictures turned out blurry so I will save you from having to look at them) Taysa-dance, Alex-Bass, Olivia-origami, Brooklyn-baton, Cody-strength, Sam-toothpicks in his mouth, Carson & Abby-singing, Cloe-dance, Morgan-nursery rhyme, Max-is just cute, Michelle-piano Matt, Merritt, Marci, and Mandee-singing, Mema and Papa-Grandma got run over by a reindeer performance! If I left anyone out or listed someones talent wrong I'm sorry, let me know.


The two that made it all possible! We love you mema and papa.


Everyone...dog pile on uncle Merritt! Super fun!!!


Grandma DaBell opening her Christmas present...a book we had made entitled, Why We Love Grandma DaBell!


Mema and Papa opening their Christmas present from all of us...the photo album we had made with all the Disneyland pictures in it.


Grandma DaBell handing out her famous goody bags to the great grandkids! Who wouldn't love those bags? Rice crispy bears, gum, oranges, candy!


The traditional Nativity scene...excluding Taysa and Alex because they think they are too old to participate anymore!

Traditional Christmas Eve PJ's!

Goodnight...hopefully Santa comes tonight!

Thanksgiving 2010

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at Michelle's house. (Thanks for volunteering your house Todd and Michelle and for hosting the mess) There were only a few of us there, but we had a wonderful time. Good food, family, fun! What more could you ask for?

How about the kids making candy and cookie turkeys?

Or....my favorite, DRESS UP TIME!

Kiss kiss!!!


Cloe all dressed up!


Chase all dressed up by Cloe and I believe Brooklyn!


Uncle Todd all dressed up by Cloe!


Pa pa all dressed up by Cloe!

Boy oh boy, do you think Cloe has these guys wrapped around her little finger or what?

I can't believe you're making me do this!

Isn't it amazing that we ever get any usable pictures of our kids? We were looking through old pictures tonight and ran across these...the first one we just couldn't stop laughing!!!


Cloe 6 weeks old...bright lights bright lights!


Really...another picture come on!


You guys are crazy!!!


FUNNY VIDEO FROM JANUARY 2009!!!
I laughed and laughed at this video I found. Maybe it won't be as funny to you, but knowing my kids and their personalities this is hilarious to me. Were they ever really that little?

Cloe singing ABC's and I Am A Child of God.

I had another really funny one, but for some reason I can't get it to load. I'll keep trying.

Brooklyn's baptism

I can't believe my little Brooklyn is getting baptized. Can she really be 8 already? Brooklyn has been talking about getting baptized for at least the past year if not longer...she is super excited. We are so proud of Brooklyn for the choice she has made to be baptized. We love you Brooklyn!

Brooklyn wanted to be baptized in the same dress that Taysa wore. They both decided to wear the actual dress to get baptized.


The girls...


Brooklyn...so excited she can hardly contain herself.


Brooklyn and Papa before the baptism. We love you papa!!!


After her baptism we went back to Elite Studios, where I teach gymnastics, and had a yummy potato bar for lunch. The kids had lots of fun playing in the dance room while the adults ate in a little peace in the other room.