As many of you know it is a tradition in our family to recieve PJ's on Christmas Eve. I think that my kids just expect it now, but none the less it is a gift they get to open. We took this just before we all left to go home. Drew did not want to put his on and baby Ella was asleep. I am not sure how many more years I will get Chelsie and Whitney to do it. I appreiciate them being good sports for me. I am not sure if I would have been as eager to put on new silky PJ's at my Grandma's house and sit and with all the little kids for a picture. They sure are good kids. As you can tell by the picture we are missing several of our family members. I hope to have a group family "PJ" picture someday. It is tradition you know, one that was started long ago.

Sydney Cheer

Sydney started a Gymnastic and Cheerleading group this year. It so cute and she has so much fun doing it. She loves going to the practices and she is getting to be very good. She will perform at a few Basketball games and then she will get to perfom at one of the Jazz basketball games.

Christmas Pictures in Menan

Burgie Christmas Party

On December 11th we had a Christmas party in Menan. We usually do not do it this early, but this year we gave it a shot and it turned out o be a ton of fun. We played M&M Bingo, Pictionary and we played Christmas songs with the Chimes. The kids decorated snow cones to look like Christmas trees and Marshmellows to look like snowmen. Over all we just enjoyed each others company. I am very thankful that I am a part of two very special families. I have decided over the last little while that we have to give and take from each each side of the families. Knowing that each person has a quality to offer. Each of them have something to contribute to my life and to the life of my children. Sonny and I try to carry on a few of the important traditions of each family as well as add some of our own and hopefully our children will do the same. I want each one of each to know how much I love and appreciate everything you do for us and for the example that each of you are to us. In my eyes I am pretty lucky to be so very blessed to be part of such a beautiful plan.

Wassail Recipe

Here is the ever famous Wassail Recipe this should keep it from getting lost. 4 quarts apple cider 1C Brown Sugar 6oz Frozen Lemon Aid 6oz Frozen Orange Juice 6 Whole Cloves 6 Whole Allspice 1 tsp. nutmeg 3 Cinnamon sticks. Mix Together and smimmer in pot.

Oops forgot one

I forgot to add this photo because it was on a different camera. We had a party to go to so Sonny went as a Cheerleader and I as a Football player. It is really hard to see, but Sonny actually has 2 little ponytails in his hair with ribbons. Over all the party was way fun and Sonny was the hit of the party. Do you like his tan lines? No it is not a Farmers tan it is a Golfers Tan.

Thanksgiving 2005

Whitney was in charge of the celery and cheese wiz because it is her favorite. She also made the punch which I have to admit no matter what Whitney and I added to it, it just did not taste like the kind mom (Diane) makes. Chelsie was in charge of the Vegie tray. I think that she ate more Vegies than she actually cut up. Sydney kept them all in line. The job that she is best at. My beautiful family. After working hard all morning we took a little time to get cleaned up to head up to Menan for our Thanksgiving Feast. Notice that Jaydens teeth and lips are red, this is from the famous Red Baron cake. He was one of the first to sample it. He is such a good son. Amazing that we can still smile after a hectic, crazy Thanksgiving morning. I think that is becuase I know that I only have to do it 1 time a year. Jayden was in charge of drying the celery off for Whitney. What a good sport.

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Menan with the Burgies. All of the kids and Sonny helped me get the food ready that we had to take. Sonny made a Red Baron Cake. We went over to Great Grandma Burgies house last Sunday and she gave him the recipe for this cake. Sonny's Great-Great Grandma paid $200.00 for this recipe from a chef. Well, Sonny decided to suprise her and make it today. He made it all by himself. Just to give you an idea. It has 2 ounces of red food coloring in it. It is actually a very difficult cake to make. He only messed up on one part so it didn't raise very well, but it was very good.

What happens when kids get the camera

When I was going through some of my pictures I noticed a few that were a little odd. I realized that either the kids took their own pictures or they took pictures of someone else. I couldn't resist posting some of them.

Halloween 2005

Sydney was a cute poodle. We went to the dreaded fabric store and Sydney pick out the pattern and the material. Grandma Bringhurst made her costume. Despite the huge mess that the fur made she was warm and cozy for Trick or Treating. Whitney was Miss America, Sydney was a poodle, Jayden was a Ninja and Chelsie was a pirate. Grandma Bringhurst made Chelsie's and Sydney's costume. We Trick or Treat on Z street. It was a place where businesses decorated trailers in a large area and you could go around from trailer to trailer. We stood in line for a hour and 1/2 just to get into the trailers then it took 30 mins to go around all the trailers. It was freezing cold and definitely not worth it. After that we meet at Grandma Bringhurst's with Mindy and her family for Chili. Grandma likes to have us all over for Chili on Halloween night. Once we were toasty warm Mindy and I took the kids around the neighbor hood. We meet up with Sara (my awesome, will do anything for me friend) and her kids. Once we had our sacks plenty full we went to visit Great Grandma Burgie, this is also something that we do every year. All in all we had a great Halloween.