Taylor's Troubles

Taylor got a drum stick stuck in her belly button during an
exciting jam session on Bailey's new electronic drum set.

Christmas Day

Before the Kids

After the Kids

Big Kid Gifts

Mallory got accessories for the truck: this steering wheel cover,
plus a trash bag, seat covers and flip flop floor mats.

Rachel got a new digital camera.
Now maybe I'll be able to find mine when I want to take some pictures.

Taylor got Dream Life and an Easy Bake Oven.
She has been making cakes for the kids all evening.

Little Kid Gifts

Joseph got Robosapien and Nick Scene it!

Bailey got a Doodle bear and a Barbie laptop.

Natalie got this mini jumper and a microphone.
Who could ask for more, karaoke in the air?

Christmas Eve

The kids got out the marshmallows and made samores around the fireplace.

Newest Musician

Natalie found the trumpet

Rachel was giving her lessons?

Musical Videos

Click on the following links to hear Rachel and Taylor play Jingles Bells and Bailey, Natalie and Taylor play Mary had a little lamb.

Grandkids

All three: Ryan, Ella & Melanie.
Ryan & Melanie are brother and sister, cousins to Ella.

Ryan & Ella

Ella & Melanie

Another New Color for Rachel

Rachel is finally getting closer to the blond she's been trying to acheive all along.

Middle School Band Concert

Taylor performed in her first middle school band concert tonight. The 6th grade band played Jingle Bells. She was going to play trumpet, but then the band director talked her into playing baritone. Taylor was told today that she was selected to play in the All-City band this spring. Now we have three baritone players in the house.

Rachel & Kids

Rachel turns the camera on herself and some of her sisters.

Brushing Hair

Joe takes on the task of brushing the little girls hair after their bath.

Before and After

The tree was a little taller than it looked outside. We had to cut a foot off the top to get it up.
The kids decorated the whole tree by themselves this year. See the angel nestled near the top of the tree?

Kid's Christmas Party

The place where I work had their Kid's Christmas Party today. Lots of silly hats and glasses were passed out for all to wear. Santa also came a visited with the kids and gave out presents. Natalie wasn't so sure about Santa at first, but warmed up to him the longer he was around.

Natalie and Santa

Bailey and Santa

Joseph and Santa

Pictures by Bailey

Bailey appears to be another budding photographer like Rachel. She took all of these pictures of Natalie and herself. You can really see Natalie's crossed eye in the last picture.

Latest Belt Tests

Bailey got her blue belt on Satuday. She looks so grim because there's no smiling in Tae Kwon Do.
Joseph got his red advance belt on Satuday. His next belt test will be for his Jr. black belt in about four months.

The 12 Days of Christmas

Joseph took piano lessons for about year when he was in Kindergarten and then quit. Eight weeks ago, he started again and has progressed much faster than anyone anticipated. Listen to the song that Joseph memorized in a week and a half, the 12 Days of Christmas.

Swim Meet

Mallory swam in her first HS swim meet for this season. The first meet was last week, but she had not been cleared to swim yet by the trainer who was treating her previously sprained ankle. Last year she swam a few individual 50 or 100m events and lots of 200 or 400m relays (where she swam one 50 or 100m leg). Tonight, after just four days of practice, in the long distance lanes, she swam her first 500m freestyle event. This is the longest event of the whole meet and take about 15 minutes or more. She didn't really want to start out swimming that long of an event, she thought she may have to swim the 200m event, but didn't say no when she was asked by the coach. What a trooper. She did great, her strokes looked smooth through out the entire time. The coach said she did great too. She also swam two other events, the third event was a 50m leg in a 200m relay, which took place just one event after her 500m event. After she was done, she said that her arms hurt a little bit. No wonder!

Lunch with Natalie

Natalie noticed that I was eating my lunch near the computer and decided to join me.

Santa and the Gang

We ate breakfast this morning with Santa at the elementary school. I haven't taken my kids to see Santa at the mall in years. It only costs two dollars to get your picture taken with this Santa. Plus I could take as many digital pictures as Natalie would allow, since she got down first.
You almost can't see Santa after I got all of the kids piled around him.

Breakfast with Santa

Natalie didn't eat too much because she ate took much at home while waiting for us to go.
Bailey took a while to figure out how to get the little pack of butter opened.
Joseph must have been starved, he finished his pancakes in record time.
Taylor didn't eat with us as she got to the school earlier then us with one of her friends.

Christmas at the Beach?

This is a very nice picture of my kids in the hats I made for them over the last two weeks.