Bringin' on Christmas

We decorated our Christmas tree for Family Night. It's always lots of fun (not). hehehehe. We made a huge mess with all the boxes and Garrin always ends up having to "fluff" up our tree by himself. We thought a fake one would be easier than a real one...but it doesn't seem to take a lot less time.

I decided to take pictures of a few of the cute ornaments the kids have done over the years.

This one is Shawnee's little Frosty from 1st grade and she wrote her name on the back.

This is an angel I made of Devin probably back in 1991 or 1992 when he was 2 or so.

This is Kaylee's ornament from 2000 when she would have been 5 and in Kindergarden. This is how she wrote her name on the back.

Down Memory Lane.....

Well...before I start the REAL topic...I'd like to point out that memory lane is NOT as far back as some might think. There was a commercial about a show in the 1800's this morning and Jaycee wanted to know if that was back when I was little. For the record...NO...it is NOT.

We ended up going to Blackfoot, ID as Garrin's uncle Lyle Belnap passed away due to Alzheimers. Garrin and I left about 7am and got there before the 11am services. We went to the graveside, stayed for the lunch, and then headed home---arriving home at about 7pm. We left all of the girls home as they all had various activities to be to. It was a quick trip, but it was nice to see Garrin's family.

Here's Garrin with his mom Vonnie and Dad Merthan

At the cemetary in Blackfoot, I learned that Grandma and Grandpa Ellis (Garrin's grandparents ) were buried there so we walked over to their gravesite. This is the front and back of their headstones.

This is Garrin's great Grandpa Leo Turpin.

This house is the one that Garrin lived in when he was born. This is actually in Moreland, but he was born in Blackfoot. The Ellis' built this house and Garrin lived there until halfway through first grade. Originally the whole house was built underground with only about 2 feet sticking up and the roof. Later they added the "upstairs" which is really the main floor. Vonnie said she planted the Russian Olive tree and hated it, but that it was the only tree she could get to grow. You can see how tall it is in the 2nd picture. I guess it's been about 37 years since he lived there.

We drove around the farm---about 400 acres in all.

The day after...........

We decided to crash Kim and Tammy's family Thanksgiving party (Garrin's brother and his wife) and see them and their kids. They rented a cabin up above Heber. We drove up and visited for several hours before heading home. Tammy had a gingerbread house for them to put together

We hadn't seen our nephew Chase and his wife Kori's baby Genevieve yet...and as we all know....it's ALL about the babies! She's a cutie! This is a cute picture of "V" and her dad!

It just wouldn't be a family gathering without at least ONE color accent photo. This was cute of Kaylee and her cousin Ashley! Look at those rosy cheeks and lucious lips! Everyone had fun watching Garrin and his brother Kim do a Wii boxing match. Garrin won...sorry Kim!

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we went to my mom and dad's house for dinner! As usual, we stuffed ourselves silly, watched movies, did puzzles and played cards.

Logan Teresa Shawnee, Austin, Landon, Logan, Dad

Shawnee Austin Devin Mom

My sister, Teresa, was the ambitious one and thought we should make mini gingerbread houses....so we did. The younger kids had a GREAT time! Here they are making them.

Kaylee Deni Ryan Dawson

Jaycee Sydney Teresa Kennedy Bailey Jaycee


I think they liked eating the candy as much as making the houses. Here are all the unique finished products!




Jaycee's House Kaylee and her house


My niece Sydney my nephew Ryan


Niece Kennedy niece Bailey

nephew Landon nephew Dawson

Didn't they all do a GREAT job??

Singing...Singing all the Day

Jaycee joined the Eaglecrest Choir this year and has really enjoyed singing. Ok...so here's where I'm going to be REALLY bad!!! They had a performance for Lehi City Family Week. I was excited to hear Jaycee sing, but had NO idea that they were one of at least 20 groups singing that night (although it seemed like 100).

I had to come straight from work as I worked a 10 hour day until 6pm (late for me) that night due to an illness of a co-worker. I hadn't eaten since lunch and didn't have time to stop...so I was hungry! Jaycee's choir was early in the program---I think 3rd or something. They sang 2 songs and that was it! I then had to endure the REST of the 2 HOUR program with Garrin and Mom and Dad. We all seriously thought about sneaking out---but Jaycee was part of the closing song---all of the choirs combined on the stage. Ugh. There were some good parts of the program---but there were also waaaay too many and some not so good ones. Jaycee was cute though and we enjoyed seeing her perform with the choir for the first time.

Kaylee's new place...before and after

Over UEA, we decided to re-paint Kaylee's room as she was the only one who hadn't gotten to decorate her room 2 years ago when we finished the basement. Here it is before...........

Here's the AFTER.....unfortunately I can't really get the WHOLE room in right now as it's messy! GASP! We borrowed the neighbor's cricut and cut out the words that described Kaylee and also used the floral images from Stampin' Up. I think it turned out really cute! It's really bright with bright orange walls and a hot pink chair rail!

The Comedy of Errors

This is the backdrop for the play Comedy of Errors by Shakepeare that Kaylee was in. For some reason, I've had this post in DRAFT mode for the last month...yikes! She LOVED being in the play and was at the Junior High almost every day after school practising. She only had 5 lines this time....but has been bitten by the drama bug and is trying out for the musical Pirates of Penzance soon.

Some of the cast


Kaylee's hair that we spent about an hour on each time we curled it. Ithink we had to do it 5 different days and between hair and makeup---whew---it was a lot of work. Thanks to Shawnee who did it for me several days since I had to work

Kaylee had 2 parts in the play. She was "Luce" on the left---a servant. And on the right, she was a "player". The player puts on a mask and then acts out different scenes from the play---but with no speaking. She was mimicking one of the main characters---a guy :) HUGE thanks to Grandma Berger...without her...there would be no Kaylee in the play. This mom does not sew. Do you think we shoul dtell her about the upcoming auditions for the NEXT play??? hehehehe