Happy New Year!

For New Years Eve we just had a quiet night in. We started out the night with dinner, then we just hung out until we did our poppers and our countdown. We knew the kids wouldn't make it to midnight our time... so we just watched the Times Square (in New York) celebration. That way when it was 9pm our time we got to celebrate the new year. It worked perfectly because it is now 10:30pm and all three kids are asleep! I'll be there soon myself, have to work in the morning! Happy new year to everyone. I hope this year brings good health, wealth and happiness!

Abby in her sleeping bag at the end of the night

Abby wanted to sleep in her tent tonight. She started out just fine, but about 10 minutes after going to bed she came out and said she'd rather sleep in her bed.

Abby, James and Jack celebrate the new year!

2009 in Times Square

James, Abby and Dan are ready to set off the poppers

Mostly a picture to show that I was there. Since I always take the pictures I'm never in them.

James, Abby and Dan... again.

James and Jack play on James' computer, passing time until we did our countdown!

A new year's toast. Abby had one sip and said she didn't like the sparkling cider.

Us getting ready to enjoy our last dinner of 2008 together.

Merry Christmas / Happy Birthday Dan!

We had a great Christmas this year. My parents, my sister and brother-n-law came over to our house in the morning to watch the kids open gifts. That afternoon Dan's parents, brother and soon to be sister-n-law joined us. This year for Dan's birthday dinner I made a complete turkey dinner. It was my first turkey that I made and it turned out great. Diana made her awesome carrot cake for our dessert. Overall it was a great day. We enjoyed spending time with our families.

James opening his new laptop. He loves it!!!

James' new nerf gun. He really wanted this one. It shoots 3 darts per second!!!

James must have been a good boy, Santa brought him Call of Duty and Battalion Wars (games he asked for).

Grandma Diana and Jack

Abby helping Dan blow out all those birthday candles. Happy Birthday!!!

Jack and his Tow Mater truck. He loves it. He can walk and push it all around the house

Aunt Jenny, Jack and Uncle Tudor

Jack loves his baseball toy!

Abby trying to get Jack to play with his toys. I think at first Jack was more interested in the wrapping paper.

Abby opening her presents

Abby's new doll house... she loves it. It was hard getting her to open the rest of her presents. All she wanted to do was to play with her doll house!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house. It was our normal crowd... our family, my parents, my Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, cousins Don and Brenda. I always love having our Christmas dinner at their house and spending time with my family. We watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation every year before dinner. My Uncle always says that every part is his favorite part.. and we always laugh at him for saying that. He also thinks that Ruby Sue looks like a boy dressed as a girl. We always have to watch the credits to show him that she is a girl! After dinner this year we went in the jacuzzi. It's pretty nice that we live where we can go outside in the jacuzzi on December 24th!!!

Look how excited Jack is to be opening presents!!!
Jack loves his tool bench that Great Grandma got him!

Papa Jack and baby Jack... so happy!

Abby helping Jack open his present.

A picture of our family on Christmas Eve. James didn't join us until the Saturday after Christmas.

Aunt Jenny and Jack

Shawnee and Jack. She does such a great job with all the kids. They always look forward to playing with Shawnee (and Matt)!!!

Holiday boat cruise

Tonight we went on a boat cruise around Huntington Harbor. It was a full boat! We had Don (who was nice enough to take us all), my Mom, Dad, Dan, Abby, Jack, Brett, Christian, Layne, Marilyn, Irelynne and myself.  We all had a great time looking at all the beautiful houses and boats all lit up with their Christmas lights and decorations. We even saw some boats that were probably bigger than my house!!!

Abby and her Daddy (not Abby's best look)

Layne making a silly face

Papa Jack and Abby

 Abby and I (she never cooperates for the camera)

Brett and Layne

Layne, Irelynne and Abby (it's hard getting three kids to pose together!)

Brett, Layne and Christian (cute family photo... wish you were there Autumn!)

Captain Don and Dan

Papa Jack holding baby Jack

Abby and Grandma

Irelynne and Marilyn

Jack and Mommy (he is really hot in this snow outfit... once we took it off he was much happier)

Crazy Abby

Abby was in her pajamas the other night and in her room playing while Dan and I were watching TV. She comes out in the living room dressed like this! I really like the beanie and stuffed animal shark for her shoes!!! (you can't really tell in this picture, but the shark's mouth is opened and her foot is inside it). Her tutu is on inside out too. I hope this isn't a glimpse of her fashion sense as a teenager! 

Visiting with family

Dan's family is in town from Colorado. We met up with them at Dan's Aunt Christine's house last night for a late Thanksgiving/early Christmas dinner. We have not seen this side of Dan's family since our wedding in 2005. This was the first time they met Abby and Jack. The last time they saw James he was only 4 years old!  It was great to see them and we hope it's not this long until our next visit. Thanks to Aunt Christine and Uncle Gary for having us over and for the wonderful dinner!

Grandpa George, Jack, Dan, Abby & James

James, Kathie & the puppies. 

Uncle Gary swinging Abby. 

Ava and Abby.( Ava is Dan's Step-Brother Paul and his wife Amy's little girl)

Jack is checking out his Grandpa George.

Kathie, Jack and George

I think Jack likes his Grandpa!

Dan, Jack and George. (Dan's Step-Brother Paul is in the background)

More please

Dan was eating some Chili Cheese Fritos tonight and you should have seen Jack's face. He wanted to try some! Dan gave him a tiny piece and he loved it. He would have kept on eating them if I hadn't stopped him. I suppose a few bites won't hurt.  

Look how excited jack is to be eating Daddy's snack!

Jack, wanting some of Daddy's snack