Ashley is walking!!!

I was able to capture this earlier today!

Merry Christmas

We hope you had a merry Christmas! We sure did :-) We were spoiled with many fun gifts to play with and enjoy. We went over to my parent's house for Christmas Eve where we did the Nativity. Ben was Joseph, Baylie was Mary, my dad was the donkey, Natalie was the angel, my mom was the narrator and Ashley and I were Shepherds. The next morning my parents came over to open gifts and for breakfast. Ben got me a Bosch mixer which I am THRILLED about. I have already used it more times than I can count. The girls' favorite and most played with gifts are their barbies from Grandma and Ben is excited to try out his miter saw and saw horses. We hope you have a happy New Year!

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Mom and I went to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and we loved it! Luckily my Dad isn't one for the theater so it was just a girls' night out. Of course Seattle was under a couple of inches of ice, so driving was a little interesting, but the music and dancing was spectacular and it was a treat for sure! Thanks Mom!

We had fun making gingerbread houses with the Elwells - it is so nice having fun neighbors - especially when you are snowed in!!
We used graham crackers and all the candies. We had just as much fun eating as we did decorating!

Don't know what Nan is doing - but here is our finished product!

Snow!

We had so much snow this Christmas!! It was so awesome! The girls and I had fun playing in the snow, making a snowgirl, jumping on the trampoline, etc. The girls couldn't play enough :-)
This table showed 6 1/2 inches, but I think we had closer to 8 by the time it was all done.
I hope our trampoline is okay - we kept our shoes on, but the snowy tramp was irresistible!

Natalie's performance

My first video upload! I'm excited - I hope you enjoy it!

Preschool Christmas Program

Natalie performed in her Preschool Christmas Program. It was so cute watching my little girl perform! I love it! Her teacher does an amazing job with her school. Baylie was with us and she asked if she could go to her own preschool. Next year...

Running in the Snow

My new running partner! I am so excited that Tiffany moved into our ward. She has been amazing for me. Agreeing to run any distance any time in any weather - my kind of girl. We started running with light snow on the roads and by the time we finished the snow was coming down and covering everything. It was beautiful and super fun!

Thanksgiving

Baylie loves her cousins - especially Eli
Aunt Tera spreading the yummy goodness of whipped cream on her layered jello!

Mom and James doing the turkey & gravy

Baylie with Cousin Samuel

Sitting down for dinner.

Ben was cut out so we took another shot :-)

We had such a great time in Idaho. We did our annual turkey trot, turkey bowl and black friday shopping together. We really love doing our shopping in Moscow ID because it is a small college town so most of the lines are small and no one gets trampled getting in the store and there are usually enough of the deals that everyone gets what they want :-) With my parents, our van was filled to capacity. After our shopping we were officially stuffed and had to leave some of our things there to be brought over at Christmas time. Thanks again Stoner family, we had a wonderful time yet again!

My Dad

My Dad taught his health class about setting goals. He decided to set a goal of running an 8 minute mile. Now, back in the day that would practically be walking for him, but at 60, he has felt the affects and decided that would be a good challenge.
So, we went to cheer him on. :-)

In our marathons it is typical to lose a toe nail due to the trauma your feet take for 3 1/2 hours or so. We have seen signs like this along marathon routes. My dad laughed at this sign.

The class lined up to make a shoot for him to finish in. He was feeling good did really great. He got his goal and then some!

He invited us to stay in the classroom for a little bit while he did the closing part of class and emphasizing the power of setting goals, accomplishing them and the feeling of natural chemicals making you feel good instead of drugs, etc.

We are so proud of our Grandpa!

Nathan Chapman Trail

This is a bike ride we took at the beginning of the month at a local trail. It was beautiful and with the blue sunny ski on the yellow and green leaves. It reminded me why I love the Northwest.

Head Lice :-(

So, my little angels were at it again. They were quietly playing upstairs while I was working in the kitchen. After a few hours and a movie, I went upstairs to put something away and I saw this... (there were dresses packed on that shelf)

So, the next morning I went to do Natalie's hair for preschool when I saw a bunch of dirt in the part I had just created. But, when I looked closer and saw one of those dirt spots moving I almost screamed!! I called my mom (who was working at an elementary school that morning) and cried to her. She had some lice products in her nurses room there so we jumped in the car. Then begins the mental agony attached to this awful situation. What have my kids been doing over the last week, who have they played with and who do I have to call and break the news too? What do I have to clean and disinfect along with the laborious process of combing out the little bugger - so, yup,those pictures have a little more meaning now. As soon as I got home I put Ashley down and put the product in Natalie's hair, started a movie and spread halloween candy on the floor to keep everyone occupied and happy. After three hours of combing, I got Natalie's hair cleaned out. We went to the store to buy sprays and shampoos, then it was back home to begin the laundry and toy cleaning. It was a long week - a long quarentine week of cleaning, sanatizing and avoiding. No fun!

More Halloween Fun

We attended the annual McComb's Halloween Party. It is always fun to see what people dress up as. There were showers, an "operation game" couple, a few Sarah Palins, smurfs, Snow White, hippies, indians, and Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook and Wendy. The best part about the Peter Pan duo was Tink - he is a 6' 5" male in his 40s. His legs lookes pretty amazing in tights and a short green dress! I wish I had a picture - look at some of mylinks and I'm sure you'll come across it :-)
Sommer Reynolds, Jenn Evans, Me and Rebecca Pierce

Marcilicious and me - isn't she hot?

The Temus' and my parents, the tacky tourists - The Temus's were acutally going to come as mummies, but after 30 min. of putting on their costume, watching it fall off to reveal their underware, they decided to change ideas ;-).

Jill(in back), Jodi, Elizabeth, me, Tari, Laurie and Kathryn on the floor.

Ben and I went as homecoming King and Queen. Jodi and her hubbie were punk rockers. It was funny - as we were waiting for the McComb's front door to open, a fog machine hissed and Sean's guitar hit Jodi in the back - she screamed like crazy. It was pretty funny.

Brookie and Baylie holding hands as they walk down the dark street- they stuck together as the older kids raced on ahead.

Leaving their first house!! It was chilly and foggy - a perfect night! Especially after it had been raining all day.

Trick or Treat!

Friends! Natalie, Nataie Ward, Baylie, Emma and Brookie

This family was so fun!! Can you see their little football baby! Heidi - you guys are awesome!

Doing a fun game at the Fruitland Ward Halloween party. The girls loved it.

Natalie and her friend Andoni walked across the stage holding hands for the costume parade. They are in the same preschool class.

They had a curtain up to take pics. Ben was at work so he wasn't here - and no, I'm not pregnant - it is just a fun angle :0(

The two witches :-)

Halloween Fun!

Here are the girls at trunk-or-treat. We of course expected treats - not trunks :-)

This is Natalie's little fling - Bronson

We finally carved our pumpkins on Monday night. Baylie was living it up!