Oh My Gosh...It's Breathtaking!
I just LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Every Angle it Mesmorizes Me because it is so Fantastic!
OH YEAH!! ANDREA: Thank You! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! It's a treasure! My loves are forever frozen in time and they look just PERFECT! :)
I really can't stop staring!
and...there's more treasure from Aner waiting to be hung on the wall as well--Can't wait decorate another spot on the wall-- I'll probably post it next week!

24 Year Christmas Tradition...The Estee Lauder Make-up Kit for Deb! :)
Santa brought a bike to Joshers!
WOW! Socks in her stocking! Everything was thrilling for Jillian this year! She was fun to watch Christmas Morning!
Santa brought a Pink Nano iPod for Jordan!
Our Christmas Tree...adorned with all of our 'special' ornaments! Grammy gives the kids a new ornament every year. Also...we exchange a family ornament with my brother Mike and his family every year-so our ornaments hold lots of memories of Christmases Past!
Jillian sprinkling "REINDEER FOOD " around the Yard in her Santa Dress!
Dave and Chris hanging out in the kitchen on Christmas Eve!
Kids posing with Uncle Charley-- Every Christmas Day afternoon we go to the movies with Uncle Charley...This year we saw "Marley and Me"!
Here is Cowboy Santa with Jillian- we were at a craft show in Safford. Jillian asked to buy this little stuffed pillow that was in the shape of a Santa Hat...It was only $.25 so I let her get it...She then went back over to Santa and gave him her souvenir! What a giving little sweetie she is!
Lots of fun at School before 'Winter Break'...Here is Jilly with her magnificently decorated Gingerbread Man Cookie!
Aunt Connie and Jordan posing for a snapshot--
Little Ryan with his Mom-(our cousin) Carolyn and his Aunt (our cousin) Julie- He loved Daisy!
Jillian wanted to hold "Big Baby Ryan"...that's what he's affectionately called at our house!
Here is Cousin Andy with the kids!
More Party Time with Jillian's preschool!
Cute little Concert!

It was a wonderful Christmas! Our kiddos are growing up so fast...Christmases keep blinking by-- Hope yours was Merry and Bright!

Merry Christmas to ALL! OH how I love Christmas and all the traditions! I love my Savior--He descended below all in a lowly stable born in Bethlehem so long ago. We celebrate this Gift of the Savior our Lord and King today! He taught us how to live and sacrificed and suffered for all Mankind!

Every Christmas morning is always filled with the Warm Spirit of LOVE! We are enjoying being together as a family.

Here is a little (lot of) video from Jillian's Christmas Program at her Day School from last week... It is so cute! Hope it gives you a smile!

We drove 14 hours to arrive in the little town of Safford, Arizona! It had been quite awhile since the whole Waters Clan had been all together...So...this was a most blessed Thanksgiving!

Here is Dave and I on the "Rhino"-- It is a blast! Dave and I went exploring out in the desert! The kids had fun riding in it to-- and the older cousins actually got to drive it up and down the dirt road driveway!
We had an amazing time with Dave's parents at Thanksgiving! It was so fun to be with Grammy and Grandpa and all the cousins, aunts, and uncles!!
We had lots of good food!
The cousins got to hang out and reconnect! Jordan found some 'texting' buddies! LOL
We took a big extended family picture the day after Thanksgiving with all the grandbabies and cousins! Here are some of the gang after our big photo session in front of the infamous family "Lightning Shoe Shop"
There was lots of baby holding! Savannah had beautiful twin boys born in August. Jordan is holding Gavin and Josh is holding Ethan! Note their fancy bottles--
Dave even got in on the baby holding fun! He bonded with baby Gavin-- Gavin loved his Uncle Dave!! :)
Here is Savannah, little Adrian, and big Adrian! We went to a Parade in downtown Safford with lots of holiday vendors/booths!
Here is Lizzy, Dylan, Jordan, Josh, and Chase hanging out at the parade!
Here is Chase, little Adrian, and Mason with their big smiles!
Lizzy(Larry's daughter) had favorite cousin status with Jillian!
Here is Helen with her babes--Savannah, Chase, baby Adrian (spoiled by Granny Helen), and Mason!

Jillian made her very own Gingerbread House at one of the little vendor booths-- ironically-- inconsiderate brother Josh ended up eating it later on without her permission! This was a major horror crisis!Uncle Mike--Getting hugged by his nieces and nephews! Uncle Mike spoils us!!
Dave with his brothers...Mike and Larry! 3 Handsome Men!Close Up of Baby Gavin Smiling while Sleeping!
Aunt Helen surrounded by kids-- they had fun swimming at the Hotel and they are checking out their pictures as they did jumping in the pool poses as the Ninja Turtles--
Uncle Larry with Lizzy and Jordan!


We have tons more fun pics and video of our trip...but I'll have to add the video later!! We are so blessed to have been able to be all together for Thanksgiving 2008!

I feel like I have nothing bought-I am very unorganized this year!

Can I say-- Thank Goodness for Amazon.com and Shutterfly.com ! Free Shipping and Guaranteed by Christmas through Dec. 18th-- It is hard to shop when I have a 5 year old with me during every waking hour. It was much easier when she was younger as I could hide things discreetly in the cart under a coat or something-- NOW...she's too observant and even if the gift isn't for the said 5 yr old...She has a BIG MOUTH! LOL so...hope everyone is having success in finding treasures for loved ones as we celebrate this season of giving! It is fun to find the perfect something that you know your little one will love-- Or your Husband or In-laws etc.... I can't wait for everyone to receive my Shutterfly gifts-- well not "everyone" will recieve one---but I know those who do...will L O V E their sorda 'homemade' gift! LOL

Well, It's chilly chilly today-- speaking of Chilly-- I made homemade Chili last night and it was really good -- I must brag-- It was my co-worker/good friend Mary Ann's recipe!!
AND today for my Frigid Famished Family-- It is Homemade Stew!! I hope it turns out! LOL

Saturday night... Josh, Jillian, and I went to a local church nearby and enjoyed a live Nativity. There was a Choir singing Joy to the World and then O Little Town of Bethlehem. I loved it. There was scripture posted above each little "set" and Josh read it out loud as we drove past. Jillian was amazed and so so curious as to "How did they get real sheep and goats?" Lol

It was a nice change from the commercial bombardment of BUY BUY BUY that this season unfortunately has come to be! It made me commit to making a concerted effort to emphasize the TRUE and GLORIOUS reason for this season! not...i-pod touches :)
It is to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Merry CHRISTmas! I am grateful for this little excursion that we took on Saturday night--for all those who participated at the Saint Phillips Church-- My holidays needed UPLIFTING and REMINDING!!

We were asked to dim our lights as we entered-- it was lined with flickering Luminaries-- reminded me of when we lived in Santa Fe-- there was a giant Luminary Cross in the middle
Josh and Jill reflected on how hard that donkey ride must have been for 'great with child' Mary and Joseph. Jillian said..."Mary was big pregnant like Aunt Aner!"
Joy to the World the Lord Hath Come!