The first picture of Kim and I in YEARS....
All the Grandkids out of order. 
All the Grandkids in order...by age
All the kids out of control! 
Santa brought me Pickles!
This is my favorite Christmas decoration.
Toby is a pretty cat...and huge. He looks a little dorky wearing a red ribbon. 
Everyone is dressed and ready for Christmas Eve service. I think that is what I love most about this time of year. The church services always sound prettier at night. Victoria and Kaleb were very involved in the Children's service with singing and being a reader. It was a noisy service and very packed. It was beautiful to see all of the parents bringing their little ones to partake with the service and just feel the Joy of Christmas ringing out. There were these two little toddler girls dancing in the aisle. It was sweet. And all the little kids dressed in their Christmas best. I have never seen so many beautiful dresses in one place. I think Victoria is determined to get our money's worth out of hers. On Christmas eve she had already worn it 4 times. It should fit her next year too.
I was very pleased to catch the two seconds of sweet faces before any shoving began. 
Awhhh...he actually looks cute. 
During the last week of school before Christmas I am always looking for something fun to do. So we did a creative writing project where they applied for Elf jobs in Santas Workshop. They had to write up a letter for an application, get a reference letter from someone and go through an interview. They actually took it seriously and really thought out which job they wanted to apply for and why. It was hilarious. 
This is proof that Fall has finally arrived...the week of Christmas. 
Last Spring Victoria was so close to riding a two-wheeler but then it got hot and who wants to run along side a bike in 110 degree heat. She has been speeding up and down the street on her bike with training wheels with them barely touching the ground so we took them off and headed to the park. And you can't learn to ride a bike without Daddy running along side holding onto your seat waiting for the right time to let go.
She was getting a little tired here and was starting to crash a little too much. I think it may be time to quit. When Kaleb was learning, we came to the same park to practice where there was plenty of room to maneuver without hitting cars or trash barrels. He and I worked on it for quite a while and of course the only pole around he must have run into it atleast twice. The one day that Kirk took him to the park to practice, I was at work. I got a call at work from Kaleb to tell me that he did it. I wasn't there to see it! So the very next day we all went so he could show me what I missed and he rode his bike AND ran into the only pole around!
Jared stole Kaleb's bike (which is actually Jared's old bike) and took off. The dogs would love nothing better than to break loose and run, run, run. The problem with that thought is that they probably wouldn't stop and have to go meet every person or dog they see.
Daphne started making cookies while I was at work the other day which sparked a few others. You can't have Christmas without homemade cookies. 
Isn't this the sweetest little baby you ever saw?
I was once an adrenalin junkie taking the more difficult patients with the most machinery used to keep the child alive.
We have been seeing Dr. Jarman and his "girls" since I was pregnant with Victoria! He worked a miracle with Daphne's teeth and created and enhanced a beautiful smile. He knows he has job security when he looks at all of our kids. He even checks on the other kids to see how they are doing knowing that he is going to see us for a very long time. I always tease him that how come he doesn't drive his hummer to work or "how is that summer house coming along?". He insists that he isn't rich off of our money and that he doesn't have a summer home. Braces are so expensive and I am thankful for tax returns. And Jared's braces will be coming off very soon. Very exciting.
Dr. Jarman teases all the kids. He always asks Jared how his girlfriend is which gets Jared all frazzled because he doesn't have one. He teases Daphne extra. He usually flips her long hair back up over the chair and over her face when he finishes with her teeth. So she usually looks like Cousin It. It is pretty funny as she is digging herself out of her hair. They even share a birthday, Oct. 25th.
It is that time again for Arizona's rendition of snow. Our friends had their winter festival at their church. Victoria and Hannah had fun sliding down a snow hill, jumping in a jumpy thing, pony rides and a petting zoo. Kaleb and his friend Zach hung out on the snow hill almost the entire time.
Hannah just walked up to this chicken and picked it up holding it out for Victoria to hold. She wasn't too sure if she wanted to hold it. These were the skinniest chickens I have ever felt. You could totally feel their breast bone through their feathers. They are skinny probably from getting a ton of exercise from little kids running after them trying to pick them up. The ducks kept huddling in this corner next to a pole thinking that they were hiding from all these little kids. The bunnies stayed in between the goats feet. They were all so tolerant.
This is probably the only glimpse we had of Kaleb. He was off with his friend Zach all evening.
These two are just down right crazy girls.
Kelly and I found time to sit a moment when the girls were in line to get a balloon animal. We were both ready to go home and sleep. Our beds were calling us. 
Kaleb and I have been reading the Tale of Despereaux. Kaleb has a soft spot for mice and mouse stories. He was inspired to sew a mouse like Despereaux. So we found this pattern online for free. I just wish I could remember where I found it so we could give credit to it. He sewed this all by himself. He is getting pretty good at it.
My Mom was feeling a little short around the kids at Thanksgiving.
This is my cousin Kathy's little dog Zeus.
My cousin Kathy told me about this awesome giveaway, 
Look at those layers in her hair. Can you believe it? 
This is a bag of loot that the orthodontist gave her with helium balloons attached to it. 
This is a very cute book that we borrowed from the Library. It is about a cow named Emmadine who felt like she hadn't done anything spectacular with her life that she could share with her Grandcows. So she signed up for an expedition to Antarctica with Admiral Byrd so she would have something to tell her Grandcows. 
Well, it isn't quite the pumpkin soup that we were going to make. We decided to make a sweet treat instead. We added pineapple, apple, cinnamon and walnuts and ate it right out of the pumpkin. It was fun and tasted pretty good.
Victoria was trying her hand at some embroidery skills. I am so excited that she really wants to do sewing. She sewed the button on all by herself. She did an awesome job for being as young as she is. She even guided the strips in the sewing machine. I ran the pedal. 
Victoria built this make shift tent in the living room and decided to sleep in for 3 nights in a row. She was very pleased with herself. I kept expecting for it to flatten out and be laying on top of her in the morning but it never did. It always amazes me how when you are little how easy it is to sleep right on the floor without a pad on the floor. I definately would not make it lying on the floor like that. Aahh the joys of childhood.
Kaleb brought this truck in from the backyard. 
Well, we didn't transform the van into anything. Not enough time. But Daphne and Kirk did come up with this little haunted house. Daphne sat there playing her violin entertaining all the little kids. The house became a photo spot for toddlers. They were the perfect size.
Kirk and Kaleb hungry for a giant chocolate chip cookie.
Jared was not identified until Pastor Shari recognized his watch. He and his church friends are quite a crew. They had alot of fun just being goofy. 
Hoola-hooping 
It always amazes me how good at hoola-hooping Kirk is. I can't do it that good. 
