Christmas with family

Grandma & Grandpa

Jimmy and Brooklyn

Matt and James

many of the cousins

Uncle Greg, Nick, Dana & Rylee

Elizabeth

Grandma Gretchen, Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen

As it turned out we had 3 Christmases at our house this year. The first with was my family, then Matt's and then our own. Could not feel more blessed. A great time with all.
I don't have the greatest pics but am trying to stay up on the blog so until I get with Andrea and raid her camera it is what it is.

I haven't blogged in 6 months - last 6 in a nutshell

Ok I am sorry for dropping off the face of the blogging planet. My life has been well - crazy. I would love for you to go back through and read everything but just in case you don't have a 1/2 hour to do so here are the highlights.

• We found out in late July/early August that we are pregnant with baby #6. Yes we thought we were done, yes we are too old, yes it is another girl, no not disappointed, no not a surprise actually took a year to get here. Due April 24, 2010. I was sick for the first 21 weeks and have psiatic nerve issues along with low, low energy. I am not complaining as I know this is a true blessing - however, it has prevented me from blogging, scrapping, socializing in all forms - basically anything that is not basic.
• Andrea is actually also pregnant with our second grandchild, due June 2010. We are 9 weeks apart. Yes it is kind of weird, yes we are sharing maternity clothes, no not the way either of us planned it but are enjoying this adventure in life together.
• Nicholas is going on a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Feb 2010. He will be serving in the San Jose, CA spanish speaking mission. We are excited yet at the same time are struggling with how much we will miss him. I did get a family picture a month ago (view Oct posts) even though I know in April it will no longer have all my children in it .... it is the best I can do. Who would have ever thought I would have a son on a mission, a daughter pregnant and one in the oven myself - not exactly the way I had things pictured but the way they are none-the-less.
• Matt is teaching at a Technical College 30-40 minutes away one night a week - law enforcement classes.
• Elizabeth, Cierra, and Rylee are doing well - see many pictures and updates below.

The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

Sledding Fun

Matt, Nick, Elizabeth, Cierra, Uncle Judd & Nanny Jen and Grandma Gretchen all went sledding together.  Rylee was sick with a fever so she and I stayed home as it was pretty frigid outdoors.  There was no new snow so the hill was a little slick with ice but fun none the less. 

We are Pregnant and its a .............

Another GIRL!  Yes, we are excited, yes even Matt.  We are so grateful everything is ok and baby is healthy - we didn't really care what sex it was.  Stay tuned until April 2010 for her name. 
This pic makes her look like an alien but she is already so beautiful and no I am not biased ;-)

Dance class

This fall all the girls took dance.  Elizabeth and Cierra were in the same class with our favorite teacher Miss Nicki.  Their class was 1/2 ballet and 1/2 tap.  They learned so much and have become fabulous dancers.  Rylee took a beginning dance class called Creative Movement.  She learned beginning ballet, how to take turns and how to listen to her teacher. 

Thanksgiving Bowling

For Thanksgiving this year we stayed at home and had a cozy dinner and fun day. Andi & Jimmy went to DC to a friend's wedding and we had Brooke stay with us for 3 days. We went bowling vs shopping on Black Friday with our church friends. It was fun, although Rylee enjoyed the donuts just as much and Brooke would only let me help her. Cierra had an extremely slow ball but when it finally got to the pins in did the same damage as everyone elses. Elizabeth was shocked at how much harder it was to get a strike in real life than with the Wii (video game).

We ended up also having our 2 grandpuppies. One decided it would be a nice treat to get her heat before she came and the little puppy took that time to realize he was male and should have a part in it. He also decided that he loves grandma and grandpa and Nick but only at his house on his terms. Lets just say it was an interesting weekend and we were 100% completely exhausted by Saturday.

Costumes and Trick or Treat

This year for Halloween Rylee dressed as a dinosaur, Elizabeth as karate kid, Cierra as a ballerina, Nick and Kelsey and Hans Solo and Princess Leai and Brooke as a bumble bee.

Our family pictures

In order: 
Andi, Jimmy and Brooklyn
My five children:  Andi, Elizabeth, Nicholas (in front) Cierra, Rylee (in back)
Our entire clan (including 2 babies in tow - one in me due April 2010, one in Andi due June 2010)
Matt and I

Carving Pumpkins

We carved pumpkins as a family plus Nick's girlfriend, Kelsey. Cierra made a cat face, Elizabeth a triangle and Rylee a happy face. Nick made a dragon and Kelsey a school girl.

Elizabeth's 7th Birthday

Elizabeth turned 7 today!  Elizabeth picked Cookie Crisp for breakfast, hot lunch at school for lunch (a treat for her or so she thought as it was sloppy jos and she didn't like them b/c they didn't taste like Mom's) and chocolate cherry crepes for dinner.

A Birthday Bash for 3

Elizabeth, Cierra and Rylee saw a big bouncy house at a birthday party early summer. They each started talking about how this year they wanted a big party with all their friends and family with all the frills and fluffs. We started doing the math and once a month for 3 months calculated quite a birthday bill. We told them we would consider a big party if they would consider having it together. So the plotting and planning began. They instantly became the 3 Musketeers in thought and deed. Everything became about their party. They made decisions together and believe it or not never fought about a single thing. They decided what they wanted to share and what they didn't and went to town. In our minds it was going to be a nightmare but all the way around was a wonderful experience. They each made their own pinata with our help with balloons and crete paper including decorating and filling with candy. Decided on games, prizes, how to do things, made the invitations. When the day finally came, Elizabeth said, "I don't want to close my eyes b/c I feel like if I do I will wake up and realize I am dreaming and even a dream couldn't be better." Cierra said all day long, "This is the best day of my life." Rylee kept saying, " I love you, you are a nice Mommy/Daddy, thank you." I guess after the fun we had putting things together and those comments as corny as it may sound I just have to agree!

Cierra is 5!

Cierra turned 5 today. She had cherry chocolate crepes for her breakfast, mac and cheese and hotdogs for lunch, and pot roast with mashed potatoes and gravy, and cheesy brocolli for dinner.

First Day of School

Elizabeth (in orange shirt) started first grade today. First day of school was a full day for her! Cierra (jean jacket) also had her first day of school today. She is in 4K which is like a pre-kindergarten. It is for 3 hours M-F.