Jillian's blessing

Mike, Jessica and Jillian getting ready on the morning of her special day.

Some of the very special men in Jillian's life.

Grandpa Gary enjoying some one on one time with the grand kids.

Whitney and Stephen ...sharing the love with their nieces and nephew.

Sabrina, Grandma Kathy, Grace, Grandpa Gary and Jillian ...one more hug before we go.

Sister Power ...best friends forever!

I'm so glad that we were able to share this special day with you. Families are such a blessing and so very precious. Always remember that even though we live far apart you are always in our thoughts and forever in our hearts.

And now ...for the looooong drive home. Looks like Gary is already asleep!

Back to our Oakie roots

Ahhhhh ...Braums!

Hey ...

I can't believe I dropped my fries!

Fire Power!

Cool fast food toys!

Hey Whitney ...did you know that Sabrina drools when she's asleep?

Stephen is such a babe magnet!

Yucking it up on New Year's Eve!

Ho, ho, ho

Check out my sweet little elf welcoming in the holidays!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/BdYe2oEmv10pHfCCamR8

Merry Christmas 2009

We had a quiet Christmas this year with Eric, Whitney and Stephen. We missed Mike and Jessica who had Christmas at home in snowy Kansas after recently welcoming an early present (Jillian) into their family. Normally we also like to invite local nieces, nephews and their kids too but everyone was out of town this year.

It will be interesting to see what this next year brings with Stephen leaving to serve a mission in May to ...parts unknown. Eric too is begining a new assignment so we're not sure what part of the world he will be deployed to. Right now he is in Georgia under going Airborne training, followed by Psy Op training at his new base at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Which reminds me ...this will be the first time he's been back to NC since we moved away from Raleigh when he was in second grade! Welcome back soldier!!! Whitney will be graduating from BYU sometime this year and will be deciding what to do with her future ...grad school, real job, etc.

What ever the future brings I just hope that we will all be healthy, happy and able to stay strong as a family. In the meantime here are a few pictures of our Christmas celebration.

Gary was the self appointed Santa this year a.k.a presenter of gifts.

Stephen: "Hey, I thought it was my turn this year!"

Eric : "Let's move this party along"

Stephen: "Luggage? You shouldn't have ...really!"

Whitney: "The entire season of Gillmore Girls? Oh my GOSH!!!"

Finally ...Stephen's Court of Honor

Last Spring after months of hard work Stephen completed his eagle project and all of the remaining requirements necessary in order to qualify to become an Eagle Scout. "Unfortunately" his summer was cut short due to being accepted into BYU for summer term. Which meant his Eagle Court of Honor had to be put on hold until Christmas break. With everything we had going on it's amazing we were able to pull it off. But just before leaving for Oklahoma to attend Jillian's blessing we welcomed a very special group of family, friends, and leaders into our home to honor Stephen and his great accomplishment.


We are so proud of you Stephen. Congratulations on a job well done!

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

Imagine our surprise when we woke up this morning and realized it was snowing! Many of you may think well ...what's so unusual about that? After all it is December! What you may not know is that we live in Sugar Land, Texas. Which is about 20 minutes South West of Houston ...land of heat and humidity! We had a few flurries here a year ago today, but in the eleven years since we moved here it's only snowed one other time ...several years back on Christmas eve. It was the highlight of our anual Christmas eve party! Here are some of the videos and pictures I took today. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy!