Merry Christmas

The annual Gillespie Christmas Eve party was well attended this year. I am sure Grandpa and Grandma Gillespie look down on their posterity and feel the joy of such a wonderful family celebrating at this time of year.
Paul (Dad) and Aunt Trea with Spencer's little girl, Sadie.

Cousin Beetle (Emily) recently returned from her mission. Steph and I enjoyed catching up with her.

On Christmas morning Dad, Mom, Kelly, and I have a tradition of going to see all the families. It is my favorite tradition and the kids love to show us everything they received.

Cole is suited up for next football season.

Alaria did not want to be in the picture but we took it any way. She may have been a bit sleepy because they got up at 5:00am.

Alyssa received a latch hook kit. This brought back a lot of memories for me.

Kaitlyn got a drill so she would stop trying to steal the one from Matt.

Larsens had a great Christmas, and really helped us out when Mom became sick.

Sadie got a new kitchen and wanted Kelly to just keep playing with her.

Spencer got some fun Rudolph toys and I just had to get a picture.

Spencer and Angie had a great Christmas!

The Horton's home was our last stop. We had fun seeing all their gifts and watching Quincey set up the family for portraits. As always I am so blessed at this time of year!

No Parents Allowed

Kris and Michelle had a work party, so I had a "No Parents Allowed Party" with their kids.
We made signs that said no parents were allowed and then we put our P.J.s on in the middle of the day.

We made gum drop Christmas trees and Cole made a gum drop ice cream cone.

We also frosted some cookies and put sprinkles on.

We watched Christmas movies and got very excited for the holiday. I should plan "No Parents Allowed Parties" more often.

Happy Pre-Birthday Kelly

On December 21st we had a pre-birthday celebration for Kelly and celebrated Christmas as well. It was a great night!
Who can ask for better than red velvet cake...

Emily and Melinda enjoying pre-Christmas gifts.

Happy 35th Birthday Kelly!

Merry Christmas

Fun With Visitors

Gillespies and Larsens both came up to visit me over the last two weekends and had dinner.
We got on Trax at the library and rode into temple square.
Alaria was quick to tell me the pay phone at the Trax station was her favorite part of the night.

There is a great model of the Salt Lake Temple in the South Visitors Center. I would highly recommend going to see it.

The huge tree at the Joseph Smith Building was beautiful as usual.

Saige told us all, numerous times, that the lights are "pretty" she is so cute.

I got a great picture of the nativity with my great new camera.

The Gillespies were exhausted by the end but they loved having treats.

Alyssa and Kaitlyn loved the Nutcrackers in the Joseph Smith Building.

We had a ball and I can't wait for next year!

Classic Moments with Kim, Brad, Steph, Kris and Alexis....

January 2011!

I love this show and I can't believe it is not on again until January 2011! Oh well, I guess this means I have to do my homework!

Thanksgiving Best and Worst 2010

Best!

Kelly makes pie for the first time,
Mom and Dad get to lick the bowl,

All the pie I can eat!

Worst!

Kerri got hit in the nose,

I have no idea,

and well it's Marcus so what can you expect!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Famous Family

Can't Get Enough Grub

The Larsen's were in Salt Lake on Friday and came by to go out to dinner with me and then play some games at my house.
Of course I had to take them to Cowboy Grub and use my great new camera. As you can see we had ribs with the biggest bone you have ever seen. Saige really enjoyed it.
Kerri took a ride on the horse....

The kids loved the merry-go-round and the balloons...

but Matt kind of hogged the balloons!

We had a great time. My favorite quote of the the night was when I said, "I love having visitors because then I get to do fun things." Alyssa responded, "You don't have very much fun do you." Oh the innocence of youth!

After dinner we came to my house to play Scene It Disney. The girls thought it would be a good idea to have a sleepover. They said they would all sleep in this chair. As you guessed, that didn't happen.

Temple Grandin

Claire Daines played Temple Grandin is a brillant way. Temple Grandin is autistic and she sees things in a very visual way. She was able to graduate high school, go to college and complete her PhD.

She is known for work done in the cattle industry that creates a more humane slaughtering methods.

I truly admire people that step up the challenges life gives them do amazing things.

If you get a chance see this movie.