Rise and Shine

Every Monday at the elementary school they start out with an assembly called "Rise and Shine".  The classes take turns being in charge and reading the announcements.  On the 17th Katie's class was in charge;  they get to read all the announcements, lead the pledge, the school song, the National Anthem, and sing "Happy Birthday"  to all the kids who have birthdays that week.  All the kiddos K-3 sit on the floor (partially pictured) and the older kiddos get to sit on the upper level (behind me).  Katie's job was the quote of the week, " If I cannot do great things I can do small things in a great way".

A few last ABQ pics

 Above is my sweet sister-in-law and baby "Omie". 

 Brand new baby "Jillie-Bean"

 Natters showing her nutty side :)

I walked into Grandma's room one afternoon and this is what I found.  All the girls having fun :)

Christmas 2010

 I apologize that it has taken me so long to get this updated but Christmas was a crazy trip and everyone was either sick before, during or after.  

So before we left for ABQ I helped to organize the annual Airman Cookie Drive on December 13th.  It was a base-wide event with the OSC and ESG both participating.   We baked and gathered and decorated over 1000 cookies and then packaged them for the Airmen that live in the dorms here at Vance.

 Just a few of our cookies.

 That evening we packaged them in these cute bags (the cookies were in zip bags inside these to ensure freshness).  Lewis and the kiddos came and helped with this.

 On the 14th the OSC Pres, Vice Pres, as well as Katie (my neighbor who helped me with the organizing and exwcuting of the event.  WE call her "big" Katie around here:)) and a couple other volunteers and I went to the dorms and hand delivered all those cookies to the 100 Airmen that live here in the dorms.

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 We got to ABQ on the 20th (the 19th was Lewis' Christmas Party for work) and then on the 21st we had Katie (and Evalee's) birthday party at Peter Piper.  This has become a tradition that Katie looks forward to every year.

 Can she really be 7?!

 Katie got so many great gifts!

 On the 23rd I took some family pics for Matt and Elisha (you can see more on their blog; link on the sidebar)

 We spent Christmas Eve with the Taylor's and then Christmas Day with my fam.  It was a blast but since I was sick the majority of the trip there are very few pics.  The kids had a blast and that is all that matters :)

 On January 1st we took family pictures with the Taylor's. Kristen and I did the photography and I think that they turned out pretty good considering that it was 12 degrees outside....

on the 2nd we went to go and get the kiddos from Chris and Kristen's and the starter went out on the van.  Luckily I am married to Super Man and he was able to fix it :)  We came home on the 4th, and that is about it.  I know we are so boring.  Anyway Happy New Year to all and be on the lookout for your Christmas card that will be coming this week,  I know it is more of a New Years card but I have to get them out:)  Love to all!

A New Dress for Monkey

 When I dropped Mom at the airport on Wednesday I stopped by Target and got a few long sleeve shirts for Natalie.  I really needed to get her some winter dresses.

 I added the sweet ruffles and then the skirt.

Sorry the pic is dark but it is late and I just wanted to make sure that the dress got posted.  

Next is two more dresses and some jammies :)

New Background

 I did some baby pics the other day and was trying out my new background.  So...  I set Natalie on the table and we had some fun.  I love her eyes and the various expressions that were captured!

Pin Me... Or Maybe Not

 The other night the kids got into a box that had some clothes pins and they began pinning them to Lewis.  After watching for a little bit, Mom made the comment that we needed pictures of this.

 Lewis was a sport and let me take a few pics.  

I know that he hates/pretends to hate taking pictures.

Skating Katie

 At school Austin and Katie had a unit in P.E. that was roller skating.  They had so much fun!  At the end the parents were able to go and see them skate.  I got to see Katie but I missed Austin since I was picking up Mom from the airport in OKC.

 Katie was a trooper, every time that she fell she got right back up.

 I love that her wrist guards match her outfit!

They both had a blast and I thought that it was great that they had the opportunity to go and see what the kids have been learning.

Spooktacular Fun!

 With my recent medical developments (diagnosed will arthritis, still testing for type) I was not sure if Halloween would really happen this year.  The older kiddos all raided closets for their costumes and Natalie needed hers made.  Luckily, Friday I was able to have enough pain free time before the base trick or treating to make her Minnie Mouse costume.

 Meet: Bond, James Bond.  Lewis made him a wooden gun at the wood shop.

 Natalie was so not about taking pictures....

 My little She-Devil...

And our hippie.    They all had a blast.  They went trick or treating on Friday on base and then Sat at the Trunk or Treat.

GOAL!!!

About a week ago they had soccer pics and they were terrible!!  Bright sun right in the face and so I did my own.  You know me, just stubborn in nature (nah not me:)).

This great little dock is behind the snack shack at the fields.  So Fun!!

Oh I Love the Pretty Little Flowers

These are some of the flowers in our front path.  I want to look this one up it is so unique.