Odds and Ends

We had an Esplin family party while in Orderville.  It looks like the family has something to show for the past 12 months!

The Shanty is looking a little different... no porch and a few other things!

Here is a picture of the property! Nice sized yard huh!

It's New Year's time.  So out with the old

And in with the new!  Thanks Thomas, I love my new dishes!

Sledding!

A little entertainment for a slow Christmas Day!

Even Lucy sled!  What a fun grandma!

Christmas Morn

Misty and Nate entertaining the kiddos

Grandma and Grandpa in the hat we bought him.

Baby Jane

My new earings from Thomas!  I also got new white dishes.

Christmas Eve Pagent

Thomas's family has the great tradition of reading out loud/recreating Luke 2 for Christmas Eve.

Here is the crew at the finale.

The angles - with one saucey one yelling "no".

Herod, the Inn Keeper, The Donkey, Mary with child

An angel riding a cow

Herod killing all the babies.  So funny!

The Holy Family

Grandma Griffiths

Henry got to meet his great Grandma Griffiths on the way down to Orderville.  She's not quite with it so it's always pretty fun (and funny) to go.  Love you Grandma!

The big night

Every Christmas the owners of the building we manage take us out to dinner.  We always go somewhere that Thomas and I would never even think of going!  You know... FANCY!  We went to a little restraunt in SLC called Primo this year.  The atmosphere was surprisingly casual and the food amazing!  I had my first taste of lobster and Thomas had stuffed veal chop. *drool**drool*

Perfect night right?  I thought so... My boss is a real gourmet!  She loves cooking as much as she loves fine food.  I got her a fancy bottle of sunflower seed oil and some pink Himalayan salt for her future cooking.  As we were getting into their car the handle from the bag it was in broke and the salt and oil bottles shattered all over their driveway, spilling their contents.  I wanted to cry.  It's was a sad spot in the evening and I didn't have anything to give her.  I know... "it's the thought that counts", but it's hard to enjoy sunflower seed oil that is now soaked into their driveway the same way you might have enjoyed it on a nice crusty loaf of bread.

Ice Skating 2009

Beth and Tyler came down for a few days before they fly to KY for the Holidays!  We've loved having them here to visit.  It's so fun getting to know a new member of your family!  We decided to go ice skating last night and had a blast!  We finished off the evening with Beth's famous donuts.

Macey fell and busted her lip the first 5 minutes we were there, but after figuring out a system where she would skate in between Tyler and I, she liked it much better.  Henry loved watching all the commotion for the comfort of his little bear suit.  I fine night indeed.

Helper

Macey wanted to help wash dishes yesterday and insisted that this what the outfit needed for such a task.

Four years ago we were in Louisville doing this:

I love you Thomas!

More Treasures!

Macey's Aunt Sarah, fondly known as Tia, came over tonight for dinner and a little gift exchange.  She loves to buy things and we benefit!  This is the cute little outfit that she got for Henry!  He'll be wearing it before we know it...  his 2 month appt. was yesterday and he already weighs 12 pounds and 1 oz.  That's my boy!

I got out my gift for Macey while we were at it!  I found this chair at the DI for $1.50 and recovered it with the help of my neighbor Heather.  It turned out so cute!

Henry is already stealing his sister's stuff!

*NOTE- Uncle Adam sent the Candyland game out for Macey... not my mom!  Thanks Adam, she's already made me play at 5 times a day.  She likes to tell me who the people are and what colors the squares are.  It's a hit!

Christmas 2009

Christmas via Grandma Shoaf

Grandma's Christmas box came yesterday in the mail.  I made no delay and we opened things that night!  Macey is only 2... she doesn't quiet get that Christmas is one day, so why not make it a season, presents included!  I have also decided that Santa is getting no credit for presents this year.  Maybe in the future when she "believes".  This year credit will be given where credit is due...

Macey and Henny both got cute outfits, a very cool book, Candyland and play food!  My mom even hand crafted Thomas his warm fuzzy hat for his bike rides to campus and work this winter.

Thanks Mom and Dad!  We loved it all!

Queen!

Jonas, Macey's little bestie, came over last night to pick up his birthday cake for todays party. Macey loved his outfit and found something similar in her room.

Here's the cake! It turned out great. All 2 year olds that I know call him "Queen" Isn't that funny!
The proud mothers.
Finishing up.
This was my first character cake and I thought it looked great... I love having a picture to follow!