Highlights of Christmas

OK- so this is SO sad that my LAST pictures on my blog are from LAST Christmas! Wow! What happened to me this year?! :)

So I'm not going to commit to blogging the year of 2010, but I will try to do a FEW highlights of the year gradually! :)

So here is December....

Out to eat with the Slade Ladies for Jessica's b-day!

He didn't get the bike- just a new helmet & horn & he's as happy as a clam!

Livi & her best friend Grace with their matching dolls!

Getting ready for Santa & ALL 9 Reindeers!!!

The Nativity with the "Ben & Emily's" & the "Brent & Emily's"

(notice the oh-so-reverent Livi!)

At Jack & Livi's Music Performance for "Performing Pals" at the QC Library...

I LOVE my kids!!!

This was our last family photo shoot....back at the end of November with the beautiful fall leaves of the pecan trees in Queen Creek. And beautiful kids to go with them!

Disneyland with the Nevill's!!!

We owe a LOT to the Nevill's (like taking a 50% share in raising Olivia), but one of the greatest things they gave us was to let us come to Disneyland with them! It was a blast!

We started the vacation with a beautiful day at the beach. Nothing is better!

Some Memorable Fall Moments...

Thanksgiving at Brent's parents. Debbie knows how to set one beautiful table!

Creative Days around the house!

Oakley & his flag football team (the Dirt Devils)- coached by his own dad & uncles won the championship! It was such a fun season!

With his best friend, Kobe Mott.

The cousins....Oakley, Ethan, Austin & Hayden (maybe in the wrong order!)

Happy Halloween

Some memorable Halloween moments!.....

My Aunt Trice come to visit us & see Aimee's new baby Luke!

Jack taking a full step backward- totally scared by this guy's painted face!

Some fine young men!

Jackson pushed his stroller for at least 30 minutes!

But we started out this way...

Joshie looking THRILLED!!!

Isaac (looking like the boy in "A Christmas Story" when he tried on his pink bunny suit!)

and Oakley, Lindy, Jack, Eliza & Livi

"Bumblebee" the good Transformer

An adorable tiger!

She is QUITE the cheerleader!

"Just When I Thought I Was Over You!"....

Okay- so that's a line from one of my all-time favorite songs....who knows that!?

So, yes, just when you thought I was completing giving up on the blogging world............

I bring you.............

A POST! :)

So buckle up & prepare yourself for a journey back through time (or at least through the last 6 months when I've just been lazy and haven't blogged!)

So for my 1st blog back, I had to document how ADORABLE my sweet Livi was today-singing the National Anthem with Brent- in front of her entire school + parents for a special Veteran's Day program! She wasn't the least bit nervous. In fact, she knew just how to give them her cute little smile & make them love her.

Sorry for the jittery camera (like mother like daughter)....I was trying to get her to sing loud at times...while operating the camera....not recommended!

Enjoy!

(I also LOVE the proud teacher in the background mouthing the words!)

My Mom Rocks!

I have (literally) the best mom in the whole world.  

I have missed her SO much over the last 3 years while she's been in Africa, 

but she will soon be home to be my mommy!

Here are some wonderful things she taught me growing up....

Home Birth is the best!  (she pretty much delivered me herself)

Have all your kids while you are young and cute!  (I didn't follow that one too well....and she still had Annie after this!)

She taught me how to ride a bike without training wheels (i usually leave that to Brent!)

She taught me about the church (our trip back east to church history sights)

.... some people, namely Ali, looked absolutely thrilled!

She taught me the joy of Rocky Point Mexico!

She was supportive in every thing I did (academic night).

She taught me to cook (although I still can't make pizza!)

She taught me to be frugal & cut my own kids hair.

(And how to never let my hair be again- hers & mine!)

She let me have adventures (to Europe after I graduated from high school with friends!)

And SO much more!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Happy Mother's Day!