Christmas Day and our Anniversary

Christmas Day was very low key this year. We spent it by ourselves instead of with grandparents and cousins, so the kids were a little disappointed, but we really enjoyed spending the day together. The kids got lots of fun, new toys and gadgets and spent the day playing with them. It was just a nice, relaxing day filled with family fun and good food. What more could you ask for on Christmas?

The kids always have to line up in order of age to take a picture before they are able to look in their stockings and see what Santa has brought them.

Kenedy posing with her fabulous new boots and sweater. It's a new fashion statement, I think.

Hallie with her pajamas, David Archuleta CD, green ipod case and green earbuds that she wanted. She was pretty happy.

It didn't take long for Haden to start putting together his lego sets. He's a lego fanatic these days.

Lexie loved her webkinz clown fish and her Sleeping Beauty and Belle barbies. She tries to tell me sometimes that she is too old for princess toys, but I know better.

Cooper was thrilled with his Darth Vader's ship with a little Darth Vader inside. He's our little Star Wars fanatic.

December 27 was our Anniversary. Jim and I have been married for 14 years now. It's amazing how time flies. I am so grateful to be married to such a kind, thoughtful, handsome, fun and just simply wonderful man. We are definitely looking forward to many, many more years together. We celebrated a day early and went out to dinner at Bonefish Grill and had a free night's stay at Holiday Inn Express that we used after that. It was a nice night. The next morning, we brought the kids over to swim in the pool at the hotel. No pictures of us on our Anniversary, but here are some of the kids swimming.

The morning of the 27th, it started to warm up and the snow started melting. We had about 8 inches of snow on the lawn and by the end of the day, we had a river of slush on the lawn. The good thing was that the snow was finally wet enough to make a snowman. So, Hallie and Lexie made a snowman and so did Jim. By the next morning, almost all the snow had melted and the snowmen were piles of mush. At least I got some pictures of them before they melted away.

Lexie carrying the head of the snowman to put on top. She's been working out.

Hallie and Lexie with the finished product. They gave it a name, but it was a bunch of nonsense that I can't remember. Pick a different name next time, girls.

Jim, working on his masterpiece.

And, here is Billy.

Happy New Year everyone!