Friends

Can I just say I love the friends my girls have made!!

This year they both have made so many new friends, rekindled

old friendships and straightened new ones. It use to worry me when they

would say they had one "best" friend, what would happen if that friend

was gone for the day or if they had a problem? Who would be their friend then?

But this year they talk about several different friends as their "best" friend.

We have had many of them over for Friday night movie/pizza night, and our girls

have gone to other homes for sleep overs or "late overs" as well. It is nice to

have so many of their friends in our home and to become friends with their

parents as well. It makes it easier to let our girls stay at their homes.

You can never have to many friends!!!

1st grade of friends

Good morning

Angelyn, another "best" friend

Crafting together

A very serious belly laugh!!

Snow buddies

They traded instruments,

neither one could play the others.

Which made them both laugh at each other!

The Nutcracker

I have always loved the Ballet. I would have loved

to have been a ballerina, except I never took ballet.

I have seen the Ballet The Nutcracker many times.

I have loved it every time,

it is so graceful,

elegant,

beautiful

romantic.

Last year we took the girls to see the Aspen Ballet

perform The Nutcracker, and it was wonderful!!

This year I heard the Russian Ballet was coming near us to perform

The Nutcracker and I knew I HAD to see it!!

I know it was only a traveling group that performed in

only a few locations, but it was still the Russian Ballet.

The costumes were amazing,

the dancing was flawless,

the music was perfect,

the theater was incredible!!

I have one of the most amazing husbands who not only comes with us but enjoys it as well.

I can only hope our girls find a man like their father to marry who will encourage them, believe in them, love them and support them.

First we went out to dinner....

Then we waited to enter the theater in

the freezing weather,
then we waited for the ballet to start....

still waiting....

So worth the wait!!!

Trimming the tree

Away in a manger,

No crib for His bed

The little Lord Jesus

Laid down His sweet head

There really is something magical
about having a Christmas tree
in the house.
romance.

spirit.

cheer.

festivity.
warmth.

Going through the ornaments with the girls

brought back so many memories.

When we first got married and bought our

first home my mom got us a key ornament.

When the girls were born they got their

"1st Christmas" ornament. And over the

years we buy them an ornament that

represents what they love or what they

were into the past year.

Always ballet.

Jolene LOVES piggies. Raychel LOVES horses.

Jolene collects Snow White dolls.

By the time Raychel was 2 she could quote Cinderella.

She collects Cinderella dolls.

Setting up the tree is only part of the fun.
And when all the lights are off

and there's nothing but the glow
from the tree--
that's worth waiting for all year long.

So many nights we sit in the

"Christmas" room,

it's quiet, peaceful and warm.

After the tree is done we celebrated our

hard work by eating scones!!

Lighting Ceremony

The holiday lighting ceremony at the

historical Hotel Colorado. Nearly one million lights

will signal the start of the holiday season!! It was so

beautiful!! The streets were closed, which allowed them

to fill up with people. There was a huge screen so you

could see not only hear the songs. The Christmas songs they

sang were beautiful. It was a VERY cold night but we

had fun visiting with family and enjoying the sounds of the season.

Just after 7pm there was spot light on the top window of the

hotel, and looking up you could see Santa waving at all the

people! Then the million lights were turned on. The hotel

was completely lit up with reds, greens and whites. While we

were still taking in all the great decorations the firework show started!!

It was amazing, the colors, the sounds the excitement was

contagious! I am so glad were were able to be there and enjoy the

start of the holiday season. After the fireworks we headed

to Sterling's for hot chocolate and

sweet potato donuts!!

YUMMY!!!!!!

Jolene got tired before it started and Raychel's

feet were cold, what better way to rest

and warm your sisters feet!?

The true love of my life!!
Our little family
These three love being together.

Hundreds of people turn out for

the lighting ceremony.

Raychel watching the fireworks.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We had a great day with family and friends.

We were able to spend the day with Ward's

brother, Sterling and his family, along with

their in-laws, and friends. It was a house full,

about 30, but that is what made it Thanksgiving.

There was plenty of eating, laughing and playing games.

(I made my first pumpkin roll!!

It was super YUMMY!! and nowhere near as

hard as I thought it would be to make)

Emily and Raychel
Lots of room to eat!!
Emily, Raychel and Jolene

So many homemade pies!!

Playing games with cousins

Since we weren't home for Thanksgiving we had our

own then next day. We make Thanksgiving dinner

just on a smaller scale. It is nice to be around our table

in our home, enjoying our food and being

thankful for the eternal bond we share.

Jolene enjoyed the chips, she made her own

"coat picnic" she had been outside helping Ward.

Yummy Turkey!!