Christmas

Santa really did come after all. Grace woke up on the wrong side of the bed but eventually she cheered up and enjoyed her day. Santa brought a big wooden dollhouse for Grace and Tessa and ipods for Julia and Rachel. We took our time alternating between opening presents and eating. For the afternoon entertainment, John pretended he was a ROCKSTAR and played his new Xbox Rock Band game with Kevin and Aaron. The girls played and played will their new fun toys and games.

Miss Carefree Rachel

We all went to the movies the other day. The kids are way too excited about Christmas so we needed an outing to distract them. We could not all agree on a movie so John and Julia saw one and I took the little ones and Rachel to another. Our movie ended earlier so we had some time to kill in the theater. Well Rachel spent 30 minutes (I'm not kidding) staring at the wall and smiling and waving her fingers and doing a few dance steps here and there. I stood there watching her and wondering what she could possibly be fantasizing about. She was definately having a great time. Eventually she finished and walked over beside me. I asked her what was going on in her imagination and she pointed to the wall and said, "I was leading them in their show". Silly me, I didn't even look at the wall. Of course that was what she was doing. The theater wall had fancy 1950's show girls painted in lines all over it. Duh - who wouldn't pretend to be the leader of the show!

Christmas Concerts!

It's the time of year for class Christmas concerts. Tessa's little preschool class put on a cute program at a nursing home. Does it look like she has a crush on the little boy next to her? Tessa had her part all memorized ...

"I'm a glittering Christmas Tree.
Glittering glittering merrily.
A star on my head and gifts at my feet.
On all of my branches a candy cane sweet."

Julia's class had a band concert. She was a rock star on her clarinet!

On the Naughty List ...

Gracie managed to get herself on the naughty list this year. She saw Santa at the Church Christmas party and guess what??? He knew all about the things she had done! He said, "I know who you are ... you are Grace and you got into your Christmas presents and opened them. Then you played with them, and hid them!" Hopefully she can turn things around this week and make it to the nice list.

Julia the Dancer ...

Julia takes 2 ballet classes and 1 modern class each week. She is a wonderful dancer.

Friends...

The Saddest Fairy Ever

Poor Tinkerbell lost her treat bag. Don't worry ... we found it.

Halloween

This year we have a witch, an angel and twin tinkerbells.

Getting Ready For Halloween

Lots to do to get ready for trick-or-treating!

Quite A Catch ...

Rachel's Deep Thoughts

"Mom, I have so much to learn before I grow up ... like how to tie a double knot in shoes because what if I'm a mom and my kids' shoelaces are loose and they ask me to tie a double knot? I'm not having any kids though. Remember you told me once that it really hurts? I am just going to go to the orthodontist ... no ... what is it again? ... oh, the orphanage and buy some. I will just pick out the ones that look the most like me."

Beautiful Lake Powell

We just returned home from a FUN time at Lake Powell with the Fellers, the Bakers and the Fellows. We stayed on Jed and Jamie's houseboat and boarded, skied, surfed and ate all week long.

Go Broncos!

After being away for so long, Grace needed a daddy daughter night. They are off to the Boise State game. Go Broncos!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa...

We had a BLAST! Thank you for the wonderful trip and all of the fabulous memories.

Beautiful Waters

We took the girls on a glass bottom boat ride to do some snorkeling and visit the nylon pools. They rubbed crushed corral all over their bodies to look 10 years younger. We also visited Pigeon Point with beautiful crystal clear water. Fun fun fun!

THE BEACH

Grace was a little daredevil! She was right in the middle of the waves ... the bigger the better. Tessa and Taylor liked to sit with her on the sand and let the waves come topple them over.

Trinidad and Tobago

Grace, Tessa and I had a blast in Trinidad and Tobago! We met up with Jenny, Taylor and Cooper. We stayed at a darling little pink beach house and played and played all week long.

Tessa

Tessa is the princess and knows it. She refers to her sisters as "the wicked step sisters". She is 3 years old.

Gracie

Gracie is 5 years old and quite a character! What more can I say???

Rachel

Rachel is 8 years old. This girl loves to have fun! She golfs and dances.

Julia

Meet Julia. She is 10 years old and she loves to dance and sing. Her baby dog is named Sophia and they are inseparable.

The Staleys

John, Joelle and the girly girls.