Derek's Birthday

12! Wow! He got a new suit to look nice while passing the sacrament, but his favorite was the jersey. Steelers #43.
(See Stewart, it's not all over--there's more)

And, yes, we ran out of matches, so Jeff was creative. Luckily it didn't melt the ice cream cake.

Only 363 days until Christmas.

Grandma Bridge made quilts for everyone and they got sheets to match. Some tired kids

Christmas 2009

I think everyone was happy. Lots of sports stuff, nerf guns, and a tea set.

Christmas Eve

Opening one present--

Surprise! Pajamas!

Derek taught Samantha how to play Jolly Old St. Nicholas on the piano and he played with her.

Nicholas and Derek played Silent Night.

Jeff read a couple of stories and we sang songs. Then it was time for bed. The kids all tried to sleep in one room. They fell asleep fast, but it only lasted until about 12:30 am. Then they all needed to go to the bathroom, then about 2 am, Nicholas couldn't sleep, so he had to go back to his own bed. The other kids woke him up just before 7 am.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Nana Austill came to spend the holidays with us this year. She brought a beautiful Christmas dress for Samantha and the boys all wore Christmas ties. I also tried to get all the presents under the tree, but you can't see them very well. We had a lot.

The primary kids sang at our ward Christmas party. Kade is sitting with the santa hat and Samanta was being shy for some reason and wouldn't go up.

Then one day all the kids made gingerbread houses.

They had a great time.