Christmas 2010

 "But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

--Luke 2: 10-11

May your Christmas be without fear and filled with joy this year!

Uncle Dell graduated! Merry Christmas!

We're all so proud of our MBA uncle

He even coordinated his college colors to match Christmas. (On a side note, how did Lauren become so grown-up?)

And there was a yummy dinner involved!

Guests at the hotel asked me if it was a reception!

I have roughly hundreds of Carrigan posing with different wearable gifts.  She prefers to wear all three of the scarves at once.

What's a hotel stay without swimming?

And crashing.

Baking and Celebrating and Trimming, and Partying

Away in a Manger

Is there anything cuter than little ones performing "Away in a Manger"? We heard it both at the Sunday School program and the preschool program. And have been hearing around the house ever since...

Brinnly at the Sunday School program

Mali, in last year's dress.  She saved her new one for the preschool program.

The Berrien Springs crew got snowed in, so we recruited some local fans to applaud.

Bowing after the preschool program

Best girlfriends

The rest of us enjoy bowling

Rolling the ball offered *some* entertainment

Stairs, of course, offer much more

The happy couple--the very first time they have ever bowled together!

New Sport

This bowling thing looks like fun!

Oh.  You're NOT allowed to run down the lanes.  Not fun.

A few leftover Thanksgiving pictures

Chili Cook-Off

The official coordinators

Jonathan's entry table.  Notice the fresly squeezed lime juice to complement the Roasted Poblano Chili

Carrigan was so pleased to be seated at the kids' table

Second Place--not bad!

All of the chefs together.  A talented group!

December 1, 2010. 8:00 a.m.

Mali was actually the first one out the door.  She began begging for it at 6:00 a.m.

Carrigan's first snow walk

First attempt this year for a snow angel

Happy Thanksgiving from our little pilgrim

(The hat is even cuter in person)

Good things come in packages from Pennsylvania

Four of the five of us had the stomach flu last week and goodness, it was miserable. We're not quite sure how Brinnly survived--it's certainly not a result of her diet. However, a few lovely gifts arrived via mail to make our week manageable.


First, from the Wilsons, three fancy-shmancy tutus all in the "right" colors!  Orange!  Purple! Pink!  In that order! As you can see, the girls don't even make it out of jammies in the morning before they come on. 

(She thought Johnny Wilson would approve of the Steeler shirt)

Sometimes Brinnly even wears two of them at the same time. It goes really well with her early-morning hair.

Carrigan just learned how to "cheese" for the camera.

And speaking of Miss Carrigan...

look what Kellie created for her:

Isn't it incredible?  It completely captures our baby girl and I immediately remember the details of the day I took that snapshot every time I look at it.  It will perfect next to her sketches of the other girls on our living room wall.  Have we mentioned lately how thankful we are for our dear friends?