Ellianna's photo shoot

Ellie was bored one evening and decided to do a photo shoot with the family. Taylor would have nothing to do with it. Ellie had a lot of fun experimenting and taking about a ton of pictures. It was a night to remember and we laughed a lot. Good job Ellie, not only do you take good pictures but you always look so cute. Poor Matthew, just a long for the ride.

Who do you think looks cuter?.....Ellie wins

Ellie's Basketball Game

This is Ellie's first year playing Gridley Recreation Basketball. Ellie said she would only play if Grant would coach so he did. She has enjoyed it so far and Grant enjoys juggling coaching Ellie's team as well as Taylor's.

Ellie passing the ball

I am sure Grant is kindly yelling, "Hands up Ellie"

Shooting a basket

Waiting for it to go in.....and it does. Ellie made the first shot of the game.

Christmas Morning

How I love Christmas Morning. The kids come into our room and wait patiently in our bed. Grant and I of course, take our time getting ready and the kids sing Christmas songs and try to hurry us along. Taylor and Ellie woke up at 7:04 a.m. and then woke Matthew up. I always check the family room to make sure Santa came and guess what.....he came this year!

Matthew snuck out of our room for a quick moment to see what the excitement was about, but he got caught fairly quickly with a little help from Ellie who was screaming..."Matthew is peaking!".

Matthew's stash from Santa

Taylor's stash from Santa

Ellie's stash from Santa

Taylor has on his new Hiking Backpack he wanted so badly for Christmas. He will be turning 12 in a couple of months and will enjoy all of the camp outs with the Boy Scouts.

Matthew loves is Soccer Ball Set. His favorite place to do it is down the hallway.

Classic Christmas day picture. Grant asleep in the back ground while kids play the play station.

What a cutie, I wonder if he was up late?

The kids got a Hammock from Great Grandpa and Ellie is trying it out. How would it be to look so cute just waking up.

I tried this pose but did not look as cute so I left it out!

Matthew, Ellie and I went to feed the horse Christmas afternoon. This is one of Matthew's favorite activties and we do almost every day.

Christmas Eve

The Hands are Matthew's (2) and my Grandpa's. I loved this picture, Matthew loves his Great Grandpa. We are so lucky to have him so close to us and the kids enjoy his many many many treats and strong hand wrestles.

Grandpa telling a wonderful Christmas story. Kids displaying their piano talent, playing many Christmas songs while we sing along.

Ellie's turn to put the Star on the tree


Grant always puts the kids on his

shoulders while they put the star on top of the tree. They can't wait to do this
every Christmas Eve and fight over who's turn it is. Next year's it's Matthews just for the record.

New P.J.'s for the kids, they always arrive while we are gone Christmas Eve. The kids believe they are from Santa's little helpers.... the Elve's

Ward Christmas Program

Our Annual Gridley Third Ward Christmas Program, which always includes a dinner and some kind of entertainment. This year Taylor and Ellie were asked to portray Mary and Joseph while the Nativity story was being told.

Matthew with Santa at the Ward Christmas Party this year.

Matthew went Santa at last year's Ward Christmas Party. Can you see the difference a year can make!

Why do our children have to grow up? Every night I measure Matthew's nose and arm to see if he grows during the night and every morning I measure again. I haven't seen much growth since I started. So the question is when do they grow....right before our little eyes.

Taylor is 11, Ellianna is 9 and Matthew is 2

Ice Skating

Ellie and I went ice-skating in Roseville for my niece's birthday party. We had such a great time and loved the ice. Ellie did so well and me on the other hand.... did O.K. I fell once. It was really fun being with just Ellie, it doesn't happen to often but I always enjoy it when it does happen.

Gridley's Christmas Parade

We were all getting ready for our annual Christmas parade in downtown Gridley. Manzanita School always participates and has all of the kids walk together singing Christmas carols. Matthew came out of his room looking like this...He kept the glasses and hat on all night. Mind you it was pitch black outside other than the floats. I am not quite sure if Gridley decided to turn off all Chistmas lights because of the parade or it was a budget problem. If it wasn't for the people and some of the floats you would have thought it was in the middle of summer or something. Not one speck of evidence it was Christmas.

We didn't have out Christmas tree yet (12-3-09) so I decided to decorate a branch of Manzanita and that is what the kids are sitting in front of. We do have a tree now and it looks a lot better than this.

Matthew is so cool !

Afterwards we walked over to a friends house and had Hot Chocolate with yummy chocolate candy I couldn't stop eating. It was a good night.