Happy New Year?!

So I may be a bit late, but I am going to say it anyway...Happy New Year Birthday Jaelyn! Here are some highlights from her celebration.

Yep, we raised her right; she's a big fan!

"Yes, my first IPod shuffle, and it's even purple!

Fun with friends bowling and playing video games, celebrated with the traditional Chinese candle.

A Tale of Two Families....

These two photos summarize our Christmas travels, with the emphasis being on our wonderful families we were blessed to spend time with. 

First stop, Crebbin Family celebration...

Only Kellen was missing, as he had to work.

Next stop, Williamson Family celebration (and no, we didn't coincidentally all wear white and black)....

Kellen made it down for this celebration. One niece was missing.

A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family! Hope you were able to enjoy time with family, celebrating Jesus' birth!

Christmas Clip....

I won't make you sit through the whole five minute recital of all 13 girls from today! Instead, here is Kaia's last and best run. Super excited to watch her compete in the tumbling event this season (which starts next month)! She has gotten so much stronger, and boy, can she sky! Watch how high she gets on her back tuck (a skill she has perfected this fall). You'll know which one she is by the sound of her mom the crowd...

Last of Thanksgiving...

It may seem a bit late to post about Thanksgiving, but this one has an excuse reason for being late. You see, Jaelyn's teacher attends our church and asked us last Sunday if Jaelyn had shared her Thanksgiving letter with us, which she had not. So when we got home, she dug from her backpack a beautiful card she had drawn, an acrostic poem, and a touching letter to her family.

Isn't that what everyone wants, not to be alone?  Although we will all fail one another at some time, I am thankful God our Father will never leave nor forsake us!

We love you so much Jaelyn! You bring such joy to our lives, and you are so compassionate. Our family is so blessed.

More Thanksgiving fun...

While most people were out shopping on Friday, the girls and I stayed home and experimented with some new fudge recipes. Since Jaelyn is a chocolate freak loves chocolate, she volunteered to make the Mint Chocolate Chip Fudge with me. We put a bit too much green food coloring in it, but other than the bright color, it tastes delicious, and was very simple to make.

In honor of Kellen, we got more adventuresome. Kaia helped me make the Eggnog Fudge. Being that I am not an eggnog lover, I thought it would be good to make something I would not be tempted to eat, but I was wrong. It's pretty tasty; not as sweet as the first one, but has good texture, and melts in your mouth.

Was fun to get my girls in the kitchen, and worked well having just one of them with me at a time.  Now we are taking advantage of a mild day and getting our lights up.  And when I say mild, I mean the sun is shining, and not windy, but it is just 36°, which is cold for us.

Thanksgiving Photo Vote...

Yesterday we had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Can't get much better than a shockingly nearly 60° and rain free day, filled with family, wonderful food, Apples to Apples, all followed by a Seahawk win over the 49ers!

We are so blessed! After a quick visit, Josh heads back to school today, ahead of the next snowfall in the mountains, and so that he can attend tomorrow's Apple Cup. Go Cougs! He will be home in three short weeks. Love having the family all together. And I can't even begin to touch how much we have to be so Thankful for!

Here's where I need your vote. Every year my mother-in-law asks for a photo for her Christmas letter from each of her four boys' families. So we had a photo session yesterday, albeit a silly one, and now I need to choose just one. The family has differing opinions, so we need you to cast your vote...

Photo #1....

Photo #2....

Photo #3....

Not bad for my cheap camera and a self timer, right?  I need to get the winning photo printed and in the mail (the old fashioned way) asap, so would love to hear your opinion soon.  Hope your family had as much fun as we did.

Teen Free Home...

After 10 years, this month we became a teenager free home, as Joshua turned 20 years old! For his birthday, we paid for the sports package so that he can attend all the sporting events at WSU.  His girlfriend went over to WSU to help him celebrate his birthday. Here's a photo of the two of them cheering on the Cougs...

Our other son had a milestone this month too. Three years his girlfriend has put up with him and he have been dating.  They dressed up 50's style and went out on a date to a diner.  I love that she gets him out of his comfort zone!

Hard to believe that in just over three years, we will be parents of two teenagers once again!  I need that time just to gear up!