merry christmas!

- Day Twelve -

Our kids are SO LUCKY to have you two as grandparents. You definitely put the GRAND in grandparents. Jordan loves you two so much and looks forward to your visits to our house and trips to yours. I am sure Abby will be just as enamored with you as he is.

Today we were walking through the freezer section at Walmart and Jordan spotted a carton of Reeses Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and exclaimed that we had to buy that for Grandpa. He knows his grandpa's favorite candy. :) He also talks about going to Duck Donuts and Dunkin Donuts with you--definitely a tradition starting. He looks forward to your birthday trips to the lego store, feeding the fish, buying one and naming it, trapping moles, going out on the boat, visiting the aquarium, and so much more. He really looks up to his grandpa!

A few weeks ago Jordan and I were talking about experts and how nobody knows everything but everyone is an expert at somethings. We talked about some of the different people we know and what they are experts at. Jordan said that Grandma is an expert at quilting--and he is right! He loves going to your house and sleeping and playing in the red bedroom. You really have created such a fun spot in your house for your grandkids. He loves when you read to him and when you skype with him. I'm excited for Abby to grow. I know that the two of you will have a special bond.

Thank you for being such wonderful grandparents. My kids really are SO LUCKY! We love you two!!!

- Day Eleven -

{Day 11}

We’re so fortunate to have you in our lives.  Thank you for your gift to us. 

We are happy.

The kids are  happy.

We are all incredibly blessed this Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

the National Portrait Gallery

 

the National Zoo and city of lights festival

 

 

the white house christmas tree

 

 

chillaxing on the metro

 

THE OUTTAKES

Christmas Adventure VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

---outtakes-

- Day Ten -

On Monday we made a last minute visit to Santa to make sure he knew exactly what Jordan and Abby hoped to find underneath the Christmas tree on Christmas morning.

For weeks Jordan has been changing his mind on what he wants Santa to bring him. Monster truck, Lego Hero Factory guys, nerf gun, etc. So I shouldn't have been so surprised when he sat on the big guys lap and asked for a Nintendo DS. Great. Luckily I think he is back to asking for Lego Hero Factory guys--much easier for Santa to deliver.

Abby's easy to please with binkis, milk, and an occasional nap.

We're all a little excited for Christmas morning around here!

{Day 10}

I have made this for a few holiday parties, a delicious hit for all to enjoy!  I wish I was there to make it for you.

It is simple too, so make it before New Years.

- {Day Nine/9} -

Love is what brought you two together in marriage 37 years ago.

So much of what we know of love is from what we have seen in YOU. 

Love is kind and cheerful!

YOU make the least of the worst and the most of the best;

YOU show by actions that YOU believe in eternal families;

YOU hold fast to the iron rod;

YOU have goals, dreams, a vision, and

YOU planned for a happy, successful life together.

Happy Anniversary!

Love YOU,

Your East Coast Kids

{Day 8}

a gift of true happiness.

here is one of the happiest

jenga playing,

hot chocolate drinking (with star marshmallows of course),

listening to the christmas cd

3-yr-old’s in all of virginia.

he’s spoiled.

so thank you.

- Day Eight -

{Day 7}

 

The world’s a smile

and we are smiling inhabitants

with people smiles

free-movie smiles

top-of-the-Ferris-wheel smiles

hi-there smiles

well-hidden I-know-you-saw-me smiles

half-hearted winter’s-coming smiles

you’ve-got-to-be-kidding smiles

refrigerator’s-full smiles that make you smile

in a midnight milk and cookie sort of way

uncomfortable welfare-line smiles that never fit right

not-in-the-mood-to-smile smiles that never reach the eyes

smirking smiles

sneaky smiles that want to be grins

remember-the-time smiles

smiling at people who walk in the rain

smiley-button smiles

laugh-with-me smiles and cry-with-me-too smiles

life smiling

you smiling at me smiling

one smile …

smiles

- Day Seven -

{Day 6}

A gift for you…A gift of Jingles.

Love, Dallin

- Day Six -

{Day 5}

A gift for you….A gift of creation.

the Temple VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Zachary was trying to figure out what he could offer you for Christmas.  That led to the idea of creating something amazing.            

What could be more amazing then the temple? 

On his own he decided to build you a replica of the temple (with a rock monster on top of course). 

Jon was already at church so you know it was an original Zachary design.

He is saying, “Merry Christmas Grandma and Grandpa!” He thought I was recording his presentation.  Love his poison ivy smile and all.

- Day Five -

{Day 4}

We dream of…..decorating ornaments, story telling, museums, yummy food, and most importantly family,

- Day Four -

We dream of Duck Donuts, karate chopping waves, flying kites, and spending time with all of you! Enjoy.

- Day Three -

Jordan's preschool class put on a Charlie Brown Nativity this week and the preparation leading up to it was quite comical. The idea behind a Charlie Brown Nativity is that each of the kids in the class get to choose what they want to be. So there could be four Marys, two Josephs, six angels, etc. Two weeks before the play I asked Jordan who he wanted to be. He said Baby Jesus. I tried to persuade him to be a shepherd or wise man but he insisted on being Baby Jesus. I figured he would change his mind or his teachers would talk him into choosing something else.

A week before the play a notice came home reminding us to send in his costume. I asked Jordan who he chose and he said he wanted to be Baby Jesus. I asked him what his teachers said and he said they told him no but that he still wants to be Baby Jesus. So I told him that if his teachers said no then he can't be Baby Jesus and he needs to choose something else. He erupted in a fake tantrum, "I want to be Baby Jesus, I want to be Baby Jesus!" It was hilarious. I finally convinced him (bribed him) to be a Wise Man and to carry a treasure chest with chocolate gold coins in it.