Building a snowman in the Big Snow

Jensen decided that we had enough snow to build a "Great Big" snowman, so he went out there and built one by himself. Easton said that he didn't know how to build a snow man and didn't think he would be able to, so he watched from the window until Jensen had the snowman almost finished. Easton decided that by this time it was safe to go help, by helping Jensen put the finishing touched on the snowman.....the hat, scarf, eyes and buttons. What a great snowman!

The Nativity....a new tradition that we want to keep!

Christmas Day was at John and Cathy's this year. It was great and we enjoyed being in their home. This year John decided our party needed to be enlivened and I am so glad that he made the decision to have a Nativity. We have never done this before and why I am not sure. Cathy rounded up a bunch of costumes, which made the festivity all the greater.

We were not the only ones that had a Nativity celebration...Elder Whittaker is the funny one in the back. Why can't he just take a nice picture...he always has to have a geeky look on his face. Nothing ever changes, however he is definitely still loved.

Kyle and Tanner were the crazily adorned Wisemen.

Here is our Nativity awaiting the arrival of the wisemen.

Tessa made a very vibrant ans shiny Angel.

Easton represented the stable animals in the Nativity and Meggie was a Shepherd.

Tamzyn was baby Jesus. She was so good to stay in the manger the whole Nativity program.

Jensen was Joseph...

Mary (Tayla)came having already delivered the babe....

Shea was our song director and Jordyn was our accompanist. We sang Christmas songs signifying the different parts of the play. Boomer was the Narrator. It was a great addition to our Christmas day activityies. Thanks John and Cathy.

Christmas day is always very low key and we enjoy just hanging out with each other.

Love this picture of my girls.

I am so glad that they have each other, and even though they still have their moments....I know they still love each other.

Hanging out with their cousins, playing games, and enjoying each other.

Christmas Morning....

Another Christmas tradition....a family picture on Christmas morning. There is definitely someone missing, but we know that he is where he is supposed to be and that is serving the Lord. (Note the picture below)

Elder Whittaker on Christmas morning in Cartago, Costa Rica, opening his Christmas package from home. We were able to talk to Elder Whittaker on the phone on Christmas morning, a VERY special treat. It was so good to hear his voice, even though he has a Costa Rican accent, and so soon! He is doing fabulous. He loves Costa Rica and loves serving the Lord. He has grown so much and we are so proud of him. He bore us his testimony in Spanish and the Spirit was felt so strong in our home.

Our special Christmas morning visitors!

Boomer has always taken a picture on our house on christmas morning and every year the pictures look pretty much the same except the trees and bushes have grown.

Our Christmas party place before the chaos begins... Leaving the comforts of the fort, down the stairway to see what the jolly man has left them....

Jensen viewing the goods....

Jordy was a bit sleepy....

Shea and Kyles first Christmas as a married couple

Dad....

Easton was having a hard time waiting his turn...just too much excitement

Dad got new reading specs....isn't he cute? We were truly blessed this Christmas. Good Health, many material blessings, many spiritual blessings and a family that truly loves each other.

It wouldn't be Christmas without the FORT!!

Every Christmas Eve that I can remember, since the kids were old enough, they have ALL slept in the same bedroom on Christmas Eve. They used to have a teepee that I made that they would set up and sleep in. The teepee is long gone now, but they still sleep in the same room and have graduated from teepee sleeping to building a fort with blankets and sleeping in the fort. This is a tradition as well, don't you love traditions? especially at Christmas.

Jordy is such a good sport. They boys begged her to help them this year. I don't think it took too much to convince her. She is Queen of Fort Building!

Traditional Christmas Eve at Pop and Gege's

Every Christmas Eve, we go to my parents and spend Christmas as a family. My mother always goes above and beyond. She makes a fantastic dinner that is alwyas presented impecably(I know that this is not a suprise to anyone). We usually eat dinner and visit for a bit. For the last 3-4 years we have taken baskets of goodies around to some of our loved ones that we don't see very often throughout the year. We have visited Marquelles sweet grandpa (who passed away this year, and we missed visiting) my great Uncle Charlie and his wife (who had brain surgery at the beginning of December that is home now and doing remarkably well) and my great Aunt Blanche (who always reminds us that she is 96 and doing amazingly well. She is an inspiration to us all). We sing Christmas Carols and visit for a few minutes. I didn't realize what an impact this was having on my kids until this year when Jensen said "I love going there, are we going again this year!" I love that the part he loves the most is the service we give to others.

This is another traditional photo....posing in Gege's stairwell in their new pajamas. Our numbers were much smaller this year, but we sure missed those that were usually in the picture. They always have to have a goofy one.

And Gege and I make them have a normal one.

Devyn....she's growing up too fast. A sophomore this year at AFHS. Yikes!

Devyn, Shea, and Jordy gave Pop a photo album that incuded a few of his photos that he has taken this year. He enjoys photography and he and Shea took a class together this year to improve their skills. The girls try to "make" their grandparents a gift every year.

They gave Gege a collage of pictures that they "secretly" had Pop take of them during the Fall. I think they giggled more than they were serious, that doesn't suprise us either.

Opening presents is always a highlight!

Love the shoes!

Look who else is growing up!

The mothers observe the festivities.... Its hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone, but I am grateful that we are all in good health and that we are able to spend this time together inhonor of our Saviors birth. I have an amazing family and love them so much!

John's Birthday Dinner

Cathy suprised John with a birthday dinner for John at Texas Roadhouse for all his family and friends. Except for Chez, she was in California with her mom. Can't believe he is such an "Old Fart." Hahah! We love him and Cathy too!

A picture of the B Whitt's at John's party. Thanks for giving us a chance to get together!

The Texas crew sang "Happy Birthday" to John while he "Rode the pony". It was pretty funny and we were glad that we could have a chance to laugh together. Happy Birthday John!

Jensen got his braces off!

For as long as I can remember, Jensen has wanted braces. When he finally got them.....he couldn't wait for them to come off. They day finally arrived to get them off......

After....

Before......

Legacy Christmas Sing In 2010

Every year Legacy Elementary has a Christmas Sing in where parents can come and listen to their children sing the Christmas songs that they have learned. Easton was so excited for us to come and hear him sing. He would practice his songs at home even. I think they were probably just stuck in his head from singing them so much at school.

We got to see Jaxon sing as well. He was funny, he was embarrassed to wave at us in the audience so he would just smile when we waved at him.

Easton sang "Up on the Housetop" and was great at doing the actions too.

I think this is the "Reindeer paws" part. Thanks Easton for singing so loud and proud!

A Charlie Jenkins Christmas

Every Christmas we try and do something cultural, that gets us in the Christmas Spirit. This year we went to the Charlie Jenkins Christmas concert. Charlie is a Country star, and he puts on a great show. We sat in the balcony right over the stage and it was a blast! The kids got into it and really enjoyed it.

The pictures aren't that great, but this one is of Charlie Jenkins

This one too....

Charlie Jenskins drummer, Brandon Cummings, was in Boom's single adult ward, so it was fun to know someone in the band! Gege and Pop went with us too, it was a great evening to enjoy each other as a family.