Dinner & Movie w/the Cunningham's

We went on a double date with Nathan & Julie Cunningham.

Thanks to Claudia, the best babysitter EVER, we got this silly picture of us.

Here's Claudia with all five kids, Luke, Emma, Savanah, Wyatt & Lukas

CHRISTmas with the Ratliffs

Our annual CHRISTmas celebration with the Ratliff's was as wonderful as ever! Craig & Kathy are two of our dearest friends. We value their friendship and cherish the time we spend with them. They are planning a move to Cookeville, Tennessee in a few years. (I'm choosing to be in denial until it happens) They've purchased property, and to be honest, Chris and I have looked at some houses there in the heart of Cookeville, TN...just in case we decide to join them...I can't imagine not having them in our lives!

A Day at the Zoo

After celebrating CHRISTmas, we thought we'd enjoy a wonderful day at the zoo. While Grandma & Grandpa rode the tram...we walked the whole zoo...it was a great day, not too hot...not to cold.

Merry CHRISTmas!

We were honored to have our neice Angela & her husband Ben spend CHRISTmas with us this year. They came all the way from Grand Forks, North Dakota...they are wonderful guests and we can NOT wait for their next visit.

Wyatt's Birthday Party

Wyatt's birthday is on CHRISTmas Eve...thus we always have his party early in December...he invited 4 of his friends and had pizza, cake, movie & a sleep over...no one slept, I WAS TIRED!

CHRISTmas Concert (Children's Choir)

Wyatt & Lukas are both in the children's choir at church (PLACERITA BAPTIST CHURCH). They work really hard to learn the songs and stand still while singing...with standing still being the biggest challenge!

Before the concert

Both boys are actually singing...yipee!!!

Lukas smiling instead of singing (that's him...wakes up happy)

Lukas & Molli...and Tyler sneaking in on the photo op...

Still My Birthday

My oldest (time wise...not in age) and dearest friend always takes me out on my birthday. She always makes my day extra special...we do breakfast, shop, lunch, shop, then dinner...we went to the Americana on Brand this year...on my actual birthday...where they had the largest real tree I have ever seen decorated!!! It was taller than the one at Rockefeller Center in New York.

Once again, I spent a lovely day with a wonderful friend. Thank you Kathy, for always making my day so special! I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday to Me & Merry CHRISTmas to all!

Every year, my dearest girlfriends and I get together to celebrate our birthday's. Since my birthday is in December we always celebrate CHRISTmas together then too. This year I picked Claim Jumper for dinner and we all had a really nice time opening presents and visiting. I love these women very much, and this time together is very precious to me. Thank you ladies for more wonderful memories. LOVE YA!

Karate Promotion December 2008

Our boys were promoted in their Home School Karate class this December...they went from yellow belts to yellow w/a black stripe.

Thanksgiving 2008

We were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with my sister Eva and her family...we had a wonderful time and wonderful food! Ronnie and Eva...you both always do such a great job!

2008's Annual COOKIE Party

Here are some pictures of my Annual Cookie Party...I love hosting it, and my friends are the best guest EVER!

It's amazing that my home can fit so many wonderful women, but it does!!! (65 ladies this year)(the record was last year w/78 ladies).

It's the same day EVERY year...the Saturday before Thanksgiving...so I hope to see y'all here next year!

We all have a wonderful time of fellowship...laughter...food...cookies (of course) and GREED! Some women come for the cookies, some for the lunch, some for the ornament game we play...stealing is involved...and some come just for the fellowship! For whatever reason they may come, I'm glad they do! This is one of my highlights events every year, notice their are no children....

Here's some highlights!

The real hostess of the party...Anna, Kathy, Georg & Anna...they have been coming forever, and have already RSVP'd for the next 20 years!

Cookie Bags...

BY FAR the highest laugh on the rictor scale that day! See Erica laughing with her head thrown back...she just unwrapped her pick of wrapped ornaments which is a beautifully jeweled hanging frame for a tree, when she notices that Cindy, who brought that ornament, has stuck her high school senior portrait in it...leave it to Cindy!!!!

BTW...some of you were asking if we are doing a white elephant next year (you must have CHRISTmas stuff you want to get rid of)...well at the request of many...it will be an exchange of CHRISTMAS DECOR!...Be careful though...Cindy just might wrap a family portrait for over ones fireplace!

Squanto's Thanksgiving!

OK, I just figured out that the reason I am always behind on my blogging is because, I'M TOO BUSY! Whoever coined the phrase "STAY AT HOME MOM" was being sarcastic! OK with that said...

Our co-op did a Thanksgiving play called Squanto's Thanksgiving. Wyatt played Squanto, and Lukas played Samoset. They performed for all the co-op families at the Platt home in Lancaster. We followed it up with a DELICIOUS traditional Thanksgiving dinner cooked by Michelle Platt from scratch...the only thing she didn't do was slaughter the pig or behead the turkey...or did she??? She is an incredible mom and hostess as well as a wonderful cook. Thanks for your hospitality Platt family...we had a lovely time!

Selling of the Indian slaves!Squanto returning back to his homeland...by longboat...made by Chris, Wyatt & Lukas.

Samoset giving Squanto the bad news that his entire tribe has died...Squanto teaching the pilgrims to farm.The first Thanksgiving table.The kids made a Thankful Tree...Each child wrote the leaves telling us what they are thankful for!

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