A Wonderful Christmas

This is what our Christmas Eve started out like.....freezing rain that covered the trees and sidewalks with ice. It was beautiful to look at....glistening everywhere! But not safe for walking.
(Warning: Lots of pictures)
Scott and Lisa prepared a wonderful dinner.

The girls (cousins) had so much fun playing dress-up together.

Uncle Scott provided the "entertainment for all the kids!

Most wanted to hold it or at least touch it!

This is what he brought.

First we did the Christmas Story from Luke.....and then our special visitor came.

Some wanted to sit on Santa's lap and some didn't.

Dallin's first Christmas!

Santa had a special helper for those that were just a little shy (afraid).

Christmas with the Snyders.

Blake likes to be just like his daddy....on the computer...now he has his very own.

Christmas with the Ames'

A child's laughter...it's the best!

Brooke with her new baby brother, Dallin.

Modeling my new Hotsling with baby Dallin.

Christmas with the Wardell's (Bruce's family)

Chelsea and Brooke keeping busy before Christmas dinner.

Christmas with the Wardells (Brian's family). Do you think he was just alittle excited to get this Wii game?!

Tiffany's parents came for Christmas.

Natalie and Brooke playing.....

The whole gang....well those that fit into this picture. Some on the couch got cut off.

All the little girls in their matching Christmas pajamas. It's hard to not focus on the adults sitting on the couch that didn't want to be in the picture.

A visit with cousin Mike for Christmas...how special!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!

Dallin's Home

Here are just a few pictures of Dallin just before he came home from the hospital. It is so good to have him home now.

Opps...don't know why this turned and I don't know how to turn it around.

Brooke had colored a picture and the nurse hung it in his crib and I wanted Brooke to see how much he enjoyed looking at it.

Welcome home baby Dallin just in time for Christmas! We love you.

A Busy Weekend

The weekend started out with our ward Christmas party. All the primary children acted out the nativity. Natalie and Brooke were angels.
And Tyler was a shepard.

Dallin is improving. Brooke loves to scrub up before going into the nicu.

I don't have any pictures from today. I forgot my camera. I was out shopping when Dayna called for me to come and pick her up from the hospital. Dallin is off the cpap now and only has his feeding tube. It was so good to finally see his little nose. He is just beautiful. He should be home really soon. My Christmas card is on hold until I can get a picture of Dallin without wires and tubes.

A couple of weeks ago I took Brooke to the mall and we got a picture with Santa. Here it is.

This past weekend Brian and Heather were out of town and Tyler and Natalie spent the weekend with us. We took them to the mall on Saturday in hopes of seeing Santa.....but the line was so long...it was their decision not to wait. So we did other things at the mall.

Like eat at the food court.

Sunday morning before church we got just a few pictures of Tyler and Natalie...so sweet!

After church Bruce and family stopped by.

The girls were posing with santa hats on....Lauren and Natalie.

The girl cousins....Lauren, Natalie, Brooke and Chelsea

But this is what really took place before we got a good picture.

Silly girls!

A Perfect Dozen

Our 12th grandchild arrived this morning. We are so happy he is here. He has had a little respiratory distress and here he is on a cpap to help him breathe. His name is Dallin Wardell Ames. He weighed 7 lbs. 11.5 oz and 19 3/4 inches long.

Brooke was so fascinated with him.

We are so grateful he is here!

Welcome to our family Dallin.

CHOCOLATE SATURDAY

This is the story of a long tradition.
37 years ago Brenda introduced me to the art of chocolate dipping. I have carried on this tradition along with Jill and now my daughters and daughters-in-law.
Here is a picture of most of the centers. This is the prep work that takes many ingredients and many long hours of making the candy and rolling it and freezing it until dipping day. This year we made vanilla creme, vanilla with cherry centers, coconut, caramels, and turtles. Heather made peanut butter centers and Jill made toffee (not pictured). Also not pictured is the 30 pounds of chocolate that we start with.
This is the time we got started....8:15 am.

Debbie getting into the spirit of Christmas chocolate dipping.

Tyler contributed by chopping the nuts.

Jill with little elves (Tyler and Natalie) helping out.

Heather and Natalie are part of the action.

Lunch break! I always like to have a crockpot of soup ready to take a quick lunch break.

Tyler and Natalie love to help. Debbie and Jill are the official dippers.

Tiffany joined in the "fun/work" this year.

Still going...........

Blake...keeping himself busy.....

I had to get in a picture......

Brooke came over and helped too......

THE CLEAN-UP!!

FINISHED!!

DONE! A 10 hour labor of love project!!!

If you think we eat these chocolates.....WRONG......well....maybe just a few.....but if you are lucky enough to be related to us or are friends of ours that live close by....you might just get some. However.....we could take orders!