Goodbye Grandma Charlene

Whitney recently lost his wonderful Grandma Charlene.  He had to work this whole weekend (week, really) and so he couldn't make it to the funeral, but we sure do love and miss her.    

She came to our wedding and to many family gatherings.  We also went to visit her in Utah and again in Oregon.  But, of course, it never feels like enough once they are gone.  

Misc iPhone photos

Wow we had a great Christmas. The kids are finally getting big enough (Eli anyway) to understand the nativity story.

We also got lots of fun stuff. I have lots of photos I need to upload from my good camera. I had a few on here too though.

Two days before Christmas we painted sugar cookies I made at my mom's house (because mine was being cleaned, yay!).

Here are a few photos.









Santa was very good to all of us this year. Dora got the tiny animals she wanted. (if you have girls, look them up. Calico critters are about the cutesy thing ever.) the kids love them and we retired the train stuff to give them a table for them.




Eli got a 4 wheeler.

Whit got the .45 he wanted. A Remington, which I surprised him with.

And I got these... I think I got the best of all!!






-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pre Christmas Celebration

Before Christmas (the 19th or so) the twins and Aunt Angela came down for a few days.  We had a great time with them.  The kids had a faux Christmas eve and opened their matching pajamas...

Even Emmy got in on the action.  It's almost like Dad knew what was in the box.  She was all primed for her new clothes. 

The kids loved playing with Nana.  

I love their new pajamas! So cute.  

Here are a few shots with all the grandkids and Papa and Lerdleluh.

Then they opened presents from each other. 

Eli and Jesse were big friends.  They both love Batman.

Lerdleluh with the babies.  Emmy is sure big compared to tiny Sydney.

Dora and Jocelyn got along wonderfully.

Of all the girl shots I only look okay in one--the one where Whit turned the camera sideways to make fun of "artsy shots".  Oh well! 

Dora absolutely loved her Dora legos from Hayley.  

Last day in Orlando and BUBBLES!

Our last day in Orlando, my mom lost her ticket.  She really wanted to go and do some shopping so I offered to stay and watch Emmy and let her take my ticket.   Emmy had a fun day not being cooped up in a stroller the whole time.  

I should have sent them with the camera but I forgot.  So, this is all you get for the last day!! 

 Love this little girl's big blue eyes!! 

On the way home, my dad got naked in the airport. Appalling, I know.  ;) 

After we got back daddy had to work a lot.  Mom did the baths (dad does them most of the time when he's home.)  Mom let things get a little out of hand.. Here's the proof.  

 

The kids love bathing in mom's tub!!  Wonder why!

Universal Day Two; Trip Day 4

On our fourth day in Orlando we went back to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure.  Then that afternoon we went to the Universal Studios theme park next door, too.  

We really loved the Harry Potter park--it was so cool! And they had butter beer (which was SO GOOD!!) SO GOOD, like You Should Go Get Some Right Now--It Was So Good!!

Here's a shot of my mom at the Hogsmead Store.  Even the store was really cool! 

Here's Ollivander's wand shop.  Eli and Dora really liked their little presentation.

So of course we got them wands.  Eli picked Dumbledore's (the Elder Wand) and Dora was adamant she had to have Harry Potter's wand.  Funny kids.  

Love this shot!!  

The shop displays were so cool.  They had that screaming plant (which you can't see from the glare) but it was really cute.  

Can you tell Eli was excited? 

We went back to Seussland and got some shots with some characters.  Dora was more interested than Eli.  (They both had signature books to get the characters to sign).  

Here's a shot of my dad so you can see some of the decorations.  Also there aren't any in this photo but there are Whos all over the place just walking around and posing. It was really cute.  

While the kids went on rides with Dad and Papa, my mom and I fed our cookies to these really friendly birds.  They would eat out of your hand almost--look at this one!  

We snagged a Who couple and made them pose.  

 There's also a cool playground.  They didn't have age limits so dad played too... 

Wheeee! 

I am so lucky.  He's so hot. :-) 

Dora the sneetch!

Not a flattering pose for me, but the kids were happy to sit on Horton's egg for a bit.  haha. 

The kids sure love baby Emmy!  

Then we went over and did a shrek show and saw some characters at the other Universal Park.  

here's Curious George who Dora was sure was Boots.  Haha! 

Poor Dora the Explorer and Diego.  My kids kept going back over and over.  Dora was on Cloud Nine!  

Proof I was there... 

WHAT A GOOD DAD!  I have a photo of Whit doing this with Dora at the same age in Palmyra New York.