Cecily's Birthday!

Cecily turned five in November! She thought she could go straight to Kindergarten the next day, and it was hard for her to understand that she has to wait until September. She is going through a cosmotology phase, so we found a cute little salon chair with a doll head so she can do hair to her heart's content without cutting anymore of her own. Rhett was a huge part of the day, both with helping make her cake and with assembling the chair and then playing "Rhett, the Hairstylist" - complete with having a salon chat with Cecily about the new gossip.

We used Cinderella Barbie, changed her clothes, and wrapped her lower half in saran wrap.

Becca "The Cake Boss" joined in.

And this look of concentration from Mom is conveying "Let's get this thing done now".

We left the cake and went to a matinee of "Tangled".

Cecily was very happy to get a pillow pet.

"So Cecily, who is your new boyfriend?"

Cecily is such a huge light in our lives - she glows! She also has a wicked temper, but I guess that goes with our family. She loves to sing all day and knows that words to so many songs! She also snacks all day to keep up the energy level that goes non-stop all day long. We're so glad that she's with us!

I'm sending in the blogs to make a book, so I'm going to finish up 2010 and send it off. Happy news today! Garrett has been working so hard applying to the service Academies, and today he found out that Virginia Senator Rob Wittman's office nominated him for a spot at the Merchant Marine Academy. It doesn't mean that he will get in, but it does make him able to apply and have the possibility of making it in. The campus is in Long Island, NY, and we've heard it's a great experience! He can be a midshipman and graduate with an engineering degree and join any of the services - having had a year or so experience at sea and visiting other countries. I'm not sure if this is what Garrett wants yet, but he sounded really excited on the phone, so we'll see!

More Christmas Fun

After Christmas brunch we crammed seven people and our suitcases into the van and drove five hours south to Rhett's sister's home. She and her husband are finally able to live in the same residence after she left the Navy, joined the Army, and was transferred to Ft. Bragg where Scott works. They have a beautiful home and are very happy together! We were afraid that we would be too overwhelming as a group, but the home was big enough for all of us, and we helped out and everyone was very "chill"! They live near Pinehurst, and there are over 50 golf courses within a 15 mile radius. Some of them are used in the PGA tours. It's a beautiful place and we could live there in a heart beat. We remembered the good times in North Carolina with Paul and Joni too!


This is Ike, who is a large Buddha like cat in the home. This picture doesn't even capture his girth. He lives with Panda, another cat, and will be traveling with Laura when she goes to Arizona for a six month training.

We woke up Sunday morning to beautiful white snow. We heard that this is very rare for the area, and church was cancelled. We could have stayed inside all day, but with all the kids dying to go out, we all bundled up and spent the day outside in the snow.

Scot has a set of twins - a boy and a girl, and we played with them. His friend Zach rennovated an older home nearby with a great sledding hill in the back yard that went down to a lake. Zach built a fire and we roasted hot dogs and smores. He also took Garrett deer hunting during the trip. He's an Army Ranger and a sharp shooter. He also has chickens!

It really was the perfect day. Being with family is the happiest feeling in the world!

I was also able to finish a simple rag quilt this holiday that will go to a foster child named "Malachi" in another county. Our Relief Society group is working with the county for a service project. I loved the cowboy fabric!

Joy to the World!

We loved our Christmas Holiday this year, and can't believe it's over tomorrow! Some things have become tradition for us. Lots of music, some Community events, and the Christmas Eve/Christmas Day Traditions.

The missionaries joined us for Flank Steak, eggs, and sweetrolls. These are great missionaries! Before his mission, Elder Carter below corn rows in his hair- now he wears an argyle sweater vest! Elder Markenstein above is wearing a hat knitted by his mom. We love having them over.

Look what's in the stockings! Santa brought Madison a "bump it" for her hair, lots of underwear, socks, toothbrushes, and a few fun, non practical things

Christmas Eve pajamas! Courtesy of Kohls.

The Nativity! Livi feeling the contractions while Joseph is a blur!

Madison is the wiseperson who presents the gift of the golden snitch.

Garrett made his angel have a certain flair. Having young adults and teens makes the nativity full of creativity!