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.

The Secret Garden

Our goal was to go up to the mountains and see the beautiful fall colors changing. We did that but.... we found an unexpected trail under a old bridge. And this is where the title comes in "The Secret Garden". We followed the trail and we saw water falls, rocks with moss all over, leaves, streams and lots of other things. The kids had a wonderful time jumping over rocks, water and enjoying nature. We hope the secret garden will be ours for years to come and we can enjoy this little secret with our family often.

We have been here several times and the trail had gone unnoticed, but not today. The trail starts right under this bridge

The kids were already getting sick of pictures and we hadn't even started!

I had brought a stool with us so that we could get some family pictures. I guess I didn't put the camera close enough to the edge. Sorry not a professional!!! Hate to say it, but this is the best family shot we got. We must try again.

Fall Leaves

Matthew and I had a great morning. Most of our time was spent chasing eachother and throwing leaves, but I did manage to get Matthew up in a tree. While I was taking pictures he kept repeating to himself "Mommy owie's" -"Mommy owie's". I think he was scared he was going to fall or maybe he was sitting on some stick. Who knows....but we enjoyed eachother. In the end he brought home 10 sticks and alot of leaves.

I love this kid!

I'm going to get you mommyI am going to try and get the rest of the kids out here tomorrow!

4th Grade Talent Show

Ellie and her class had a talent show before the Halloween parade. Ellie and several of her classmates danced to "Thriller" which was choreographed by her wonderful teacher Mrs. Denzel and then she played the violin. Ellie did awesome! We were so proud of her. I am going to try and put her song on so you can hear her.

Violin Piece by Ellianna Miskin

Fun Family Halloween Pictures

Matthew looked so sweet in his little German outfit.

This picture was taken at my moms. We always go to Grandma's house and eat lunch and get dressed here. We were off to the Halloween parade!