ARRIVING IN CALIFORNIA February 11th

We made it to California to visit out Cali family.

The weather was beautiful and it was so good to

see the kids.

We brought our grandchildren a little present, they loved what they received, and we loved watching them unwrap the gifts! Savy got a Barbie Magic coloring book. Cole Hot Wheels and Creed a Tonka truck.

That night we celebrated Baby Creed's First Birthday. We were so happy that we could be with our Cali family on Creeds big day. We are so grateful he is a part of our family

CREED'S FIRST BIRTHDAY ....................... HAPPY BIRTHDAY February 11, 2010

Creed wanted the balloon more than anything else, he was busy chasing it around while the adults were busy visiting with each other.

Papa John and I were so happy that we could spend Creed's 1st Birthday with him. He is such a beautiful little boy and we enjoyed every minute we spent with him. Nicole and Mike invited a couple of friends over for Creed's big night, it was nice to meet them and for them to take time to help celebrate with us. Creed, you are our best little boy, we love you and wish you many wonderful birthdays ahead of you.

A big cake for a little boy

Cole and Savannah wanted to blow out the candle for Creed.

Creed was a little confused, he was used to making messes on his own

Why does mommy and daddy want me to make a mess?

Money from Great-Grandma Ellen and Great-Grandpa Bill

Lap top from Nana Donna and Papa John

Wow....I love this toy!
A perfect birthday party, thanks for letting us join in.

MUSICAL JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD February 4, 2010

February 4, 2010

Grandpa Bill, Grandma Ellen, Papa John and Myself

were invited by Dresden to his second grade program.

He represented Switzerland, on the left is the flag and

on the right is the little Swiss boy Dresden created.

The program was very good the the children did such a great job, you could tell they all put a lot of work into this program. Thank you Dresden for inviting us.

TAYLER'S WEARING SOMETHING NEW! January 31, 2010

What a darling little girl. Tayler is dawning something new, can anyone tell?

The end of January, Tayler received new glasses. She is happy that she can see better and we are very happy for her. John and I used to buy Fisher Price toys for our kids when they were little because we knew the toys would outlast the wear and tear of four children. I was surprised to find out that Fisher Price also makes eye glasses. Brandt and Soupie picked out her Fisher Price glasses. The glasses are very sturdy and very stylish. She looks so cute in them and has no problem keeping them on. I suppose mostly because she can finally see clearly and then also the glasses are made to fit her perfectly. We love seeing her so happy with her new apparel. Enjoy your glasses our little Tayler!

GETTING RID OF THE JANUARY BLAWS

In mid January John and I decided to leave the cold and smog and go somewhere warm. We decided to go south. Our first stop was outside of Las Vegas Nevada at Nellis Air force base. We went on to Arizona and stayed at Luke Air force base near Phoenix. We did a lot of driving, but it was worth it. The weather was warm and sunny! Some of the highlights of our trip were going to the Mesa Temple and doing sealings, seeing the huge bridge being constructed at Hoover Dam, staying with Jean and Vince on the way home and the wonderful dinner at Gloria and Johns (I've got to get the recipe from John for his rolls). This quick trip was a nice break from the cold weather and it was great spending time with each other.

We got to see the "Thunderbirds parked at Nellis Airforce base

Driving over Hoover Dam (picture is of the new bridge they are building to by-pass the dam)

Meas Temple (I loved seeing and smelling the flowers in the middle of January)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOME TO YOUR HOME

We had a wonderful Christmas starting off with Christmas Eve. The Rudels' and Strongs' enjoyed a Christmas dinner followed by a white elephant gift exchange. We had a talent show which ended up with the two youngest girls singing and dancing around the Christmas tree. We then opened up our traditional PJ's from Nana and Papa. The Curtis family showed up after their big party with the Curtis family. Someone handed Dresden his gift thinking it was the PJ box. Darn! The surprise was over! It was his gift for Christmas day. Collin was devastated thinking that Dresden got the DS game he wanted. I bought them the same thing but Collin didn't know that. But soon Dresden and Collin put two and two together finding out that I was giving them both the same thing. So Christmas day Papa John and I decided to play a trick on Collin......see Natalie's blog, Jay videoed our little trick. Christmas day Grandpa Bill and Grandma Ellen went with us to visit all the kids and to see what Santa had dropped off for them. Saturday night our Cali family came into town. Savannah, Cole and Creed opened up their presents from us. They had the same PJ's as their cousins. We really enjoyed visiting with them. Sunday we had family pictures at the church (courtesy of our great son-in-law Larry), then we had another family dinner in our home then the cousin's exchanged their gifts. It was so good to have all of our family together, yes, it was crazy but a wonderful night.

Tayler, Logan, Sydney, Dresden and Collin

Christmas Eve- Sydney Hugging Grandpa Bill

Carlee reading the "Night Before Christmas"

Collin & Dresden playing chess, Logan watching

Family Picture - we were all mixed up but it worked

1 Natalie, Shannon, she's holding Creed (Mike & Nikki's), Soupie

2 Grandma Ellen, Savannah(Mike & Nikki's), Logan(Shannon & Larry's), Grandpa Bill

3 Carlee & Tayler(both Brandt's & Soupie's)

4 Sydney, Collin (both Natalie & Jays), Dresden (Shannon & Larry's), Cole (Mike & Nikki's)

5 Jay, Donna, Brandt, Mike Nikki, John and Larry

Grandkids goofing off

Sunday Night - Celebrating December & January Birthdays

Monday Night - Our Christmas Present to the Adults- a night out without the little ones

Donna, John, Natalie, Jay Shannon, Larry, Michael, Nicole, Brandt, Carlee and Soupie

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLE

Happy Birthday to our little Cole. You turned 3 years old on the 16th. You are getting to be such a grown up.

Hope you had a great birthday.

Mr. Sunshine

We love to visit you when we are in California. You always make us happy with your fun smile and warm personality. We are excited that you like your Nemo fish tank. When you watch it at night we hope it will remind you of your Nana and Papa. We love you.