Thursday, December 25, 2008

Which Gingerbread House do you like more? VOTE!--------------->

House # 1

House # 1

House # 2


House # 2
A friendly competition, we had 1/2 hour on the timer to complete a gingerbread house...now we need to know who won!

Christmas Day 2008!

The kids got us up at 7 am, it's usually 6 am, so we were happy!
They go to their stockings first!

X box live for Jensen!
Zune for Kylee!
Rocker chairs for the boys, the ultimate gaming experience!
This one is self explanitory!
Paris pic for Kylee!
Jensen got Dallin a fishing pole!
Mama Mia she is happy about this movie!

Jeff loves the movie A Christmas Story,
he always wished that he had gotten a BB gun as a
boy, so we surprised him and hid one behind the tree!
Jensen carries his chair up to the bonus room!
Jeff, ready to rock!
Dallin plays with his remote helicopter while gaming, talented!
They are soo happy!
Kylee and Ryan!

Dinner with the Lewis's and the Missionaries! They loved their PJ's!

Christmas Eve 2008!

Milk and Cookies for Santa!

Kids in their PJ's
Dallin opening his PJ's
Jensen's PJ's

Kylee likes her's too!



Making the cookies for Santa!

A family tradition, Christmas Eve dinner, this year we had some friends over!

Merry Christmas from Spencer in LA!




We got to talk to Spencer this morning! It was wonderful to hear his voice! He is so happy and is excited at how much he is learning. Today he will spend most of his day at a nursing home serving the elderly. He had a great Christmas morning and received many packages. A little shout out to the White's in our ward who sent him a care package, he is very grateful and says "Thanks!" We echo that thanks! Spencer also got pajamas from his Grandma Smith which is our annual tradition. We open pj's Christmas Eve. This year we also included the missionaries serving in our area;and delivered three sets of PJ's to them last night. That was so fun!

Spencer had a wonderful experience last week. He was sent by their bishop to research members who no longer attend church but still have their names on record. It ended up that they knocked on the wrong door, but a lady answered and asked who had sent them? They had a feeling to knock on that door and replied, "God." The lady then told Spencer and his companion that she has a sick daughter and that the doctors can't figure out the problem and she was praying for help when they knocked on the door. She is a member of our church but hasn't attended in a long time. They were able to give the daughter a blessing and she is doing much better...

Spencer also has some neighbors from Israel and he is learning a little Hebrew. He also spoke Spanish to us on the phone and he knows some Samoan and Tongan as well as some sign language. His companion plays the guitar and Spencer has learned to play the song Oh Come All Ye Faithful on it. His budget consists of $130.00 a month and this covers his food, and laundry costs. He pays $2.00 a load to do his wash. He says his diabetes is under control and he is very healthy. We feel so blessed to be part of his life, and are so grateful for him!

I will upload some Christmas morning pics hopefully later today!
Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 19, 2008

First Snow...a week ago!

First Snow!



Ok, do you love this pic as much as I do? Only in Seattle will you find children in boots and shorts sledding down their street hill! I just laughed so hard when I looked outside to see him!


Thursday, December 18, 2008

Shout out to Spencer!

Since Spencer is on his mission, I thought it would be fun to show him helping with the tree last year. He is so fun to be around! Anyway we love him and miss him terribly, and wouldn't want it any other way! He is so happy and loves serving the people of LA! They had transfers last week, and he got to stay in his same area. He has a very positive attitude, and says the Lord must still have work for him to do there. He took 5 new families to church with him a few Sunday's ago, and has become an amazing adult! At this CHRISTmas season, we can't help but think of the Savior and his sacrifice for all of us, and we are happy Spencer has chosen to give two years of his life in service to our Savior. Thanks to everyone that has sent him letters and packages, he feels your love and support and is spreading that love to others.

Christmas Tree Star Past Pic...





Every year the kids take turns putting the star on the tree. It has become so competitive, because no one can remember who went and when. Thank goodness for the digital age. I have proof. Here is a pic of Jensen the last time he did it! This year he can reach the top without assistance!

TRIMMING the TREE...Yipeee!

" Jensen come help Dad bring in the tree!"

We always get a fresh tree. It's tradition, this year was no different, however it was 20 degrees, so we got the first one we saw!We love making our tree look like the one's we had as children. Colorful lights, and all the kids ornaments from years past. There is a story to almost every ornament on our tree.

We also bought some new ornaments, they say "Joy" and have the nativity scene in the letter "O" of the word .


Jensen's turn this year to put the star on top!


I made these stockings years ago, I don't sew, I think that is why they are such treasures.

Cocoa and cookies!