Christmas Eve

I think last years picture turned out better but I thought I would try again. The kids remembered it from last year and kept reminding me to take a picture. They are still adorable to David and I. We had a wonderful Christmas. We have so much to be thankful for.

Small town benefits

We were reading the local paper tonight and noticed two bright, familiar faces. They did such a good job that night. So did George, Ginger, and Lucy with their own dance routines. I got it all on the camcorder the night of their dance performance, so I didn't post any pictures but these were a nice surprise.

Some closer views.

Just to add a little color. Here is a picture that Ginger painted at school about a month ago. I just love to see what she comes up with.

A Korean treat

My parents sent my sister a mix to make this yummy Korean treat, "ho-dduck". It is a yeast dough that you shape around a brown sugar, cinnamon, and peanut mixture and cook like a pancake. Well my sister gave it to us so David could translate and make it. We were going to make it while we were in Utah last spring but we ran out of time. Anyway, we made it on Sunday and it turned out really good. David did say that it tastes better on the streets of Seoul in the cold weather. I guess with us coming to Provo we could have waited a little bit longer and shared with you Gina. We'll have to try the recipe out that I found.

Here is beautiful Christmas decoration that Callie made for us at school. She is so creative and crafty. She did not get that from me.

Here we go again!

We are moving once again!

David will be taking a new position in Provo in a nursing home starting on the 5th of January. We are sad to leave this beautiful part of the country, but excited for what is ahead of us. We have made many wonderful friends here, as we have in every place we've lived. We are also sad to move away from some of David's family but we are grateful for the time we have been living closer to them. We will miss them dearly!

After this week, when the kids are out of school, it will really hit me. I am too busy with concerts and Christmas preparations. We are glad to have movers this time which will save our backs and my belly. Anyway, I'll do my best to keep everyone posted.

Christmases Past and Present

These pictures are the same Christmas, 2001. The top one is right after we moved to Dillon just before Christmas. Aunt Nancy is holding George. I love Carson's egg nog mustache. Callie always ready for the camera.

The bottom picture is in Baker City, OR right before we moved. David was gone because I remember my neighbor helping me go downtown with the kids to see Santa and a parade. My neighbor had a little girl Callie's age. All I remember is that it was COLD.

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This is at the church Christmas party in Lincoln, NE. In 2004. Callie brought a list with her. I love Ginger's expression and George's hair that is standing up.

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This is at the church Christmas party in '05. Also in Lincoln, NE. David started his position in Missouri the next February, 2006. We didn't completely move til June of '06. And we didn't sell our house til October of '06.

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2008

These are some friends of ours from church. We meet up with them and went to see Rudolph and Santa later. They also sang with the choir.

We went downtown Mt. Shasta to the tree lighting ceremony and Callie sang in the choir with some friends. Carson could have but he chose not to because he hadn't been to any of the extra practices for it. Callie was right in the middle on the front row and got her picture taken for the front page of the newspaper. She was excited about that. Small town livin'!

George and Lucy stayed home with Dad. We didn't know Santa would be there or that we would actually wait in the long, long line to see him. Carson made sure though that he wouldn't have to sit on his lap. Carson asked for some kind of military thing that I don't remember, Callie asked for an iPod touch(Ya right!), and Ginger asked for a Disney Belle doll.

Laika

Well, yesterday we said goodbye to our dog Laika.

We just weren't giving her enough exercise. She is really a herding dog and five children weren't enough for her.

We gave her to a rancher in the area that had two other dogs and tons of cows and pigs. The kids felt better about it after they watched her run around a lot on the ranch. I forgot to bring my camera or else I would have pictures. The "Mrs." of the ranch works in the cafeteria at the elementary school so the kids are excited to ask her tomorrow how Laika did the last two days.

We also traveled to Walmart to do some Christmas shopping for everyone in the family. We drew names so the kids were really excited to buy for each other. We even made them use their own money so it was more of a sacrafice. It made it for a long day but fun to see the kids excitement.

A funny: While the kids were getting their money to spend every one had a twenty, they had been saving for a while, and Lucy asked for $5. I told her I would hold her money and she cried and whined. I said okay handing David a $1 bill. David said, "Here's a fiver", handing it to Lucy. Lucy then says with curiosity in her voice, "A one is a fiver?". Miss smarty pants!!!