Olivia's Birthday and Baptism

We had two events in one. What a wonderful day it has been. Olivia turned eight and on the same day was Baptised by Bob. What a great spiritual day it was and we have all been so blessed. After the Baptism we had a luncheon at our house with Birthday presents and cake. Congratulations Olivia!!!

Christmas Holiday's

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Grandpa and Grandma Van Horn drove in from Utah on 24th. That evening we went over to Grandpa and Grandma Rutledge's house for there yearly Christmas Eve party. We ate, watched the kids open a present and played the elephant gift game (I think there were 47 numbers past out). We then came home just in time to miss the pajama elf delivering new P.J's to the kids.

We were then woken up around 6:30 Christmas day, to 3 anxious girls wanting to see what Santa brought them. Sonoma got a DVD camcorder (watch out U Tube), Kate got all new cake/cupcake decorating stuff, and Olivia got a Barbie Christmas. When then all sat around opening other presents eating my Mom's famous Orange Rolls and Monkey Bread YUM!

Over then next couple days we watched lots of movies, played the Wii and got plenty of horseback ridding rides in. Oh and Grandpa Van Horn got 1 Mt. Bike ride in.

We are so thankful for the wonderful blessings we have be blessed with and the opportunity to have the Grandparents here to celebrate the life of our Savior Jesus Christ. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a great 2009!

Christmas Picture that didn't make the cut

This is the picture that was the best one that was taken, but it didn't make the cut. Reason being is that cowboys legs were cut off. Every time that I see this picture it makes me laugh. What a great afternoon of laughing and joking around. I am in love with our horse cowboy, he just puts up with anything and doesn't really make to much of a fuss. He always is very aware. When my Dad and I were out of a ride the other day he was starting to get annoyed because we weren't going home and it was getting dark. It is funny how he is aware of what is going on. I am thankful for my girls and how great they are. I love each and everyone of there personalities. I am quite thankful for the family that I have.

Christmas Ballet Program

Our little Ballerina Olivia, participated in a beautiful performance with her ballet group. Her two cousins Rachel and Everann also were in the program. It was at Del Oro High School and it was a spectacular evening.

Christmas Cookie Contest

This year we entered the City of Newcastle's Christmas cookie contest. Each of the girls picked there favorite cookie to bake and then typed up the recipe to post in there annual cookbook. This was so much fun, we spent many hours and ate lots of cookies prior to the contest. The cookies were tasted and voted upon by our local citizens for best cookie. There were some great entry's. YUM!

Christmas Tree Decorating

I love decorating the house and our tree for Christmas. I love all the fighting over the kind of tree that we are going to get. I love pulling out all the oddments that the kids have made and gluing them back together to last another day. I love the oddments that we have purchased over the years that reminds me of when the girls were little and what our family was into that year. But I love the homade ones that family and friends have made for us. I think of all the long hours that they spent creating such a beautiful thing that hangs on my tree. My tree as you can see isn't fancy but it is a marker of love and kindness which is what Christmas is. Merry Christmas.

Sonoma's Birthday

Sonoma is officially 15 years old. Wow, what a day. We enjoyed a little bit of shopping, and then we all went out to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was soooo good and we had a wonderful time. We then went home and opened up presents. Can't believe how grow-up she is, 1 more year till we have another driver in our home. We asked her what kind of a car she would like and she said she would love to have a old pickup truck so that she could hook-up our small horse trailer and she and Kate could go ridding anywhere they want. Happy 15th B-day Sonoma!