Snow Day

I am really behind again, sorry. This is how the month of January started off, with my flowers in full bloom. November and December were so warm that my flowers actually bloomed in January. Emily took this picture of the flowers for me. A couple of weeks later we got a wonderful snow storm. We got about 4-5 inches of snow, which is very rare for where we live. School was cancelled for 2 days, so the kids had so much fun playing in the snow for those two days. We also had a "Harry Potter" movie marathon. I'm not sure who was more excited, Manny or the kids.

The month of December

December was a very busy month for us as I'm sure it was for everybody. Here is a hodge podge of events that took place during the month. The pictures are in no order of any kind. I thought this was a cute picture of David and our friend's little girl on New Year's Eve. We had 19 kids running around our house that night and us adults still managed to have a lot of fun. It's been such nice weather here that we BBQ'd for dinner. Even out here that's odd for New Year's Eve.

Jacob had a party at pre-school that David had just as much fun at. David was going around mooching food from all the kids, especially the cheetos. They also made these really cute shirts for the party for the kids. The kids' handprints make up the angel on the back.

Manny went camping with the Boy Scouts and took Jacob along with him. They had a lot of fun, especially Jacob. Yes, his sweat shirt is on inside out.

Manny made some yummy rice cooked in bamboo. This is one of his favorite things to cook while camping. The kids think it's pretty cool as well.

Jacob always has a stick in his hands!!!

Manny with the lizard that he caught... or did it catch him?

Sara had a choir concert this month as well. She got to sing in a quintet and did a fabulous job!!!

The art teacher also had all of the 5th graders drawings displayed. It's hard to really see her's in the background, but it's cute.

I just thought that this picture was so cute. David was watching the snow globe and Jacob came to just sit by him and watch as well. David thought that Jacob was going to take it away from him and was trying to hold it away from him. You can tell he's the youngest and has to defend his things already.

One of the highlights of the month is that we got to go to the UFC Fight for the Troops. The day before we took the kids out of school early and went and stood in line for a couple of hours to get signed autographs and to meet some UFC fighters. This is a picture of the kids playing in line. A few that we got to meet up close and personal are Randy Couture, Chuck Lidell, Thiago Alves, and Marcus Davis. Jacob was so excited to meet Randy Couture and then when we got up to finally meet him Jacob just hid behind Manny. I guess our friend has a picture of this, so I will add it on when I get it. I was excited to meet Chuck Lidell. The next night we got to go to the fight that they put on for the Army to raise money for soldiers with brain trauma. I forgot my camera so this picture is from a friend. It was so much fun!!!

Christmas Eve

We had some good friends and family come over for Christmas Eve. There was lots of good food, company, and traditions. One of our traditions we took from Manny's Mother and her husband, Reed. Manny is reading the book 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. All of the kids are suppose to lay on a pillow and "go to sleep" while listening to the story. Little elves come along and put a present under their pillow. When the story is over they "wake up" and open their present. The kids can't wait for this to happen. Jacob talked about which pillow he was going to use for days.

Looking for Santa

The kids left some goodies for Santa and the reindeer. We like to leave chocolate milk for Santa. Thanks Aaron and Ranae for the awesome plate to put the goodies on. :)

David got a hair cut Christmas Eve morning. This is the before picture.

Getting ready for Christmas

Here are some pictures of the kids playing around and decorating for Christmas.

Together for Christmas

We are so happy and feel so blessed to be together for Christmas. It's been so fun to start seeing some of the guys come home in time for Christmas. There are still quite a few people we know that will not be together for the Holidays and our hearts go out to them. We support them 100% in serving our country and pray for their safe return. We took these pictures after church today. On a side note as I was looking through the pictures you can really see how happy the kids are to have daddy home. With me, it's just another picture with Mommy. But, with daddy they are just glowing. I love it!

Sara

Emily

Erica

Jacob

David Merry Christmas Everybody!!!