~Fun Times~

The girls had a couple of friends over today, they hung out and played with the guinea pigs and kept me company while I took down the Christmas tree. These girls have been friends so long they don't remember life without each other. It was fun listening to them laugh, talk and enjoy hanging out in their pj's together through most of the day together.

~Happy 9th Birthday~

Happy Birthday to Jolene. It seems I just did this entry for her her and she was turning 8. This past year has gone very fast. She has grown so much this past year. She has always known exactly what she wants. Days in advance she informed me she wanted a two layered cake, with blue icing, a rainbow, with red roses. I am so grateful the store has everything, I just needed to put it together and hope it was the picture in her mind. I am happy to say, it was a success! She loved it. She got a few little dresses for her American Girl Doll, and a shirt for herself along with her little guinea pig, Captain.

Jolene

9 Great Things About Jolene

Funny

Genuine

Animal lover

Friend

Smart

Intelligent

Love To Give Hugs

Loves To Tease

Has A Great Laugh

~Building the Eiffel Tower~

Raychel has been dreaming of going to Paris for years, she loves reading about it, seeing pictures, and wants to decorate her room with Paris pictures. So it only seemed fit to get her a puzzle of the Eiffel Tower for Christmas that when finished stands over 3 feet tall. The girls and Ward had a lot of fun working on it, the project took them just over on hour to complete. Raychel now has an even greater desire to see the real thing.

~Dreams Come True~

I love this note I found on Jolene's board. She asked months ago if she could have a guinea pig, Ward had her do research on them, he had do a presentation on them and why she should have one, she read about them on the computer, she brought home books, she watched YouTube videos which only increased her desire to have one. I wasn't sure, we already have an indoor cat, an outside dog, and a rabbit. I didn't want another pet. Then Ward thought maybe Santa could bring the cage and we could take both the girls to pick out the guinea pigs for Jolene's birthday. So the morning after Christmas this this the sign I found. She was so excited, she counted down the days until she would have her own guinea pig, she had picked out a name if it was a boy and name if it was a girl. The day of her birthday we headed to the pet store, she ran inside anxious to pick one out, only to discover all 4 cages were empty! Her face looked so sad, it broke my heart. She was devastated. We crossed our fingers and headed to the next pet store. They had seven guinea pigs. The girls looked them over, held a few of them, and then decided on the two smallest little boys. They were so happy! Jolene named her new pet immediately, Captain. Raychel took a little longer deciding on a name and ended up settling on Pepper.

Ella has appointed herself as the guinea pig watcher

~The Day After~

The day after Christmas we did nothing! We enjoyed staying home, we enjoyed our gifts, we enjoyed our time, we enjoyed the peace and calmness of being home together. Jolene discovered the use of one of the many boxes, she was so pleased with herself and her new "outfit". It reminded me of when the girls were little and were more entertained with the boxes then the actual gifts.
Jolene was excited to see if her new sweatshirt and hunting socks really worked so the girls and Ward headed out to Ward's hunting spot to do a little hunting. They had a great time, got a few birds, and got very cold! One their way home they called to tell me to have scones and hot chocolate ready for them. What a great night. The girls came home with some great stories, lots of laughing and wonderful memories of being out with their dad.

~Christmas Morning Part 1~

Christmas on a Sunday made the Spirit of Christmas that much stronger. The girls couldn't wait to go downstairs and see what Santa brought them. With church being later in the morning we were able to come downstairs enjoy the Santa gifts and look through the stockings. They were so excited. Jolene has been asking for months for a guinea pig. She has done research on the computer, read books, watched YouTube videos and of course wrote it in her letter to Santa. She came downstairs and hugged herself with excited when she saw the box of a guinea pig cage. Santa brought the cage and we will get her and Raychel a guinea pig for her birthday. After we went through the stockings we enjoyed some warm cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa before we headed to church. Church was wonderful, the Spirit was so strong, it was the perfect way to start Christmas. I wish Christmas could always be on a Sunday.

After church we had a fun little photo session.

I love Jolene's face in the first one.

~Christmas Part 2~

Let the gift giving begin! The best part of Christmas is the excitement of buying gifts and watching the other person open it, or in Jolene's case she has to help them open it. I love watching their faces and how excited they were with each gift. I love surprising them! The day was perfect, from the first sight as they came downstairs, church, open gifts, watching movies, eating, playing games, eating, laughing, and hanging out together.

Raychel's gift to Ward

My gift from Jolene and Ward

I think her American Girl Doll is a success!

Her face was priceless when she say her

retired American Girl Doll!

She begged for hunting socks to go with her

boots so her feet would be warmer when she

goes hunting with Ward.

The camouflage sweatshirt she wanted!

My wireless printer!!! Love it!

Jolene's gift to Ward

Jolene couldn't wait to put her guinea pig cage together.