Happy Spring!

An optimist is the human personification of spring.

-Susan J Bissonette

Merry Christmas!

Twinners

Little Miss Jilley & Family 2009
***
This is the picture that went out on all
our Christmas Cards this year. When Kent's
Aunt Debbie saw the card, she thought
we might like to see this...

Little Miss Debbie 1952
***
The resemblance is uncanny!

While the Cat's away...

*** the ***

***mice***

*** will ***

*** play! ***

This is what happens when I (the cat)
let Kent hold the camera.
Silly boys (mice)...

Fred

A sweet woman in your ward

dropped by one afternoon while the kids
were sleeping with this:
click here to get your own elf

Here's the premise of the book- Santa has enlisted
elfs to help him know who's being naughty or nice.
The elf's job is to sit on your shelf or where ever he likes,
watch you, fly to the North Pole each night to
report to Santa, and then magically in the morning
he's back at your home hiding in a new watching spot.

Your job is to name your elf, never touch him (touching him
makes him lose his magic), and to be NICE.


Jackson named our elf Fred, he's really good about finding
Fred's new hiding spot each morning,
and all I have to do is remind him Fred is watching when
he starts to get a little naughty.

Thanks Fred for making our Christmas a little "Nicer."
You're always welcome at our house.

And thank you Sister Jones for this fun gift.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

...how tedious it is to decorate you.

or

...how beautiful your branches when I'm done with you.

(And just by way of information, this is my Mom's tree,

with mostly her decorations. My little tree is packed away.)

Last night as we set things up

I couldn't help but let each ornament's story spill

out of my mouth like nastalgic regurg.

I echo, as others before me, "You can have your designer/matchy trees,

I like my hodge-podge of memories."

And with that said, here are some of my
favorite decorations.
(this year)
This part of the tree I call the shrine.
Here's my sister Britlynn as a baby, preschooler,
kindergartner, and first grader. Precious.
***

Sweet Jilley's 1st Christmas
***

Jack @ 6 months old & my Dad's favorites- bubble lights
***

A Santa sea star from a family friend,
blue &white china (my Mom's obsessed),
a crochet snow flake made by my Grandma,
a quilted tree ornament from a longtime
neighbor, and a mickey bulb to remind us
of our 2009 season passes.
***
A symbol of the true meaning of Christmas.
***

'Tis the season to wear jammies

1.Don't mind the finger prints on the fireplace glass.

2. I think my mom deserves major props
for finding matching pjs for this brother/sister duo.

their sassy photo
***

Jill's top reads Santa's Best Gift
***

I'm One Tough Cookie
***

And this concludes our jammy presentation!

happy songs

Here's a video showcasing-
Jill's new word
(happy, happy, happy, I happy) &
Jack's first Christmas song.
***
I think it's worth a minute of your life,
but than again I am their mother.

BAD Blogger #1

Its been too long.
I'm sure you've all come to the conclusion that
I'd fallen off the face of the Earth
and in a way I guess you'd be right.

Here are my excuses for not blogging:
1. my computer melted down irreversibly
2. Jill palmed my camera with sandy hand,
then Kent took it apart to "fix" it.

Here is what it looks like today...

3. We moved to Ventura
4. I've had some health issues (I'll expound later)
5. I'm having fun away from the computer.

Here's the rest of the family:

***

***

Sorry we've all been "at large."
More past/catch-up posts to come...
I promise.

And Now a Public Service Announcement - From Jillian