More Christmas Photos

Here are a few pictures that I just got off the camera. These are from the Sunday after Christmas when they opened most of their gifts, including grandparent gifts. They were very excited about their ipod nanos. They were wrapped several times (box, within box, within bigger box, etc.). The dogs were pretty tired of Christmas at this point!

Youth Trip to Nauvoo

The Young Men and Young Women (and their brave leaders) took them on an overnight trip to Nauvoo, Illinois this past Friday and Saturday. The girls really enjoyed it! They got to go to the visitor's center, wagon ride tour, toured the old homes and stores and saw the Rendevous at Old Nauvoo show in the evening. They were able to do baptisms and confirmations in the beautiful Nauvoo temple. This was Gabrielle's first time. They stayed in the Nauvoo Villas condos--the girls had a king size bed to share in their room, plus tv with the Disney channel. When I asked what their favorite part was they said, "The ride home!" They rode with the Young Women's President who happens to be a pretty fun gal. Thanks to the leaders and all the parents who went along!
One of the moms that went e-mailed this group picture.

Ha!

Happy New Year

My New Year's Goal? Same as every year. Drink More Water! Yesterday I only had 12 oz of coke zero and a whopping 60 or so oz of yucky blucky water. I mixed it with the little flavored powdered tube things, so it was not so bad. But really, can't they make one that tastes like Coke? Come on already! My Sonic people miss me I'm sure.

Let 'er Rip!

I had this idea to make a "Santa Line" for the girls to run through and get to their stockings. It served many purposes. It kept them in their rooms until we were ready to get up and open the stockings and Santa gift. Plus, since we weren't opening all the presents on Christmas, it satisfied the need to rip some paper on Christmas. So we put this wrapping paper up across the space in between the living room and their rooms.We had to leave a space at the bottom for pet crossing. I called it the "SANTA LINE" (think POLICE LINE-- DO NOT CROSS tape) and wrote on the back that they could not cross it until 7:05 AM. We had the alarm set for 7:00 in our room, then went and got the camera ready and waited for them to come out. It was like a football team crashing through the paper banner for the big game! We loved it and highly recommend you try it at least once in your life.

Christmas in Columbia

We had a nice quiet Christmas at home with the girls. With the girls getting a little older, it was a little different this year. They never even asked to put up their tree in their rooms. This is the first year we haven't made the traditional "Christmas Countdown." I think they did enjoy shopping for each other and buying presents for each other, grandparents and for jared and me using their own money they had earned. And the biggest difference was that Santa had to get his own snack and milk from the fridge! He did leave the evidence behind in the kitchen; brownie crumbs and cup he drank out of--right on the kitchen counter. The girls are growing up all right! They only opened stockings and gifts from each other. Jared and I opened out gifts from them and from each other as well. Grandma had sent one gift home with me to wrap up for them, a rubiks cube that makes the most annoying electronic sounds EVER!! Oh well, they love them! Since Santa brought the Wii Fit, that is what they did most of the day! In the evening we went to go see a movie, The Tale of Despereaux. It was very good. Madison and I had both read the book before. It was a nice day! I did not take too many pictures, but here are a few pictures from the day.

Merry Christmas!