Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day has come and gone, but we definitely enjoyed it this year. The kids are thrilled with their new toys and spending time with Grandma and Grandpa Ankeney. We enjoyed visiting different displays of Christmas lights, visiting with each other, and EATING! Best part yet is we still have another week to enjoy the spirit of the season!

Here's some highlights from the last couple weeks (one of my presents was a new camera):

Pictured here with Grandma and Grandpa Ankeney on Christmas Eve.

We spent Christmas Eve visiting Christmas lights at Sundance Square in Fort Worth. We had full tummies after a wonderful feast at Tejas de Brazil. We spent time with our friends Trent and Aly and Trent's parents from Lubbock.

Matthew playing Battleship with the help of Grandpa Ankeney.

Dave will definitely enjoy this Almond Roca - if only everyone else would keep their hands out of his jar!

Rachel unwrapping her gift from Matthew.

Matthew seeing what Santa brought - a Nintendo DS!

Alyson too!

Santa brought Rachel an iPod Shuffle

Sunday, December 7

As I write the date I am reminded that today is Pearl Harbor Day! A lot has happened for Americans since that day in 1941 and we find ourselves still at war in many parts of the world. War is ugly but despite all that is going on today we have so much to be thankful for.

Life is very busy for us as many of you can relate. We had an awesome time in Hereford for Thanksgiving. We got to visit and play with Grandma and Grandpa Ankeney. Great Grandma Stark brought Marsha's sister Cheryl and her daughter Kelly and grandson Porter. It was great to see everyone. I had never met Kelly in person so I now have a face for the name. Porter is absolutely adorable!

We went to see Madagascar 2 while we were there. I enjoyed the movie and popcorn. In addition, the kids played Legos, Sorry, and watched videos. I cuddled up on the couch and read "The Last Promise" by Richard Paul Evans. It was great for me to forget about work and just RELAX for 4 whole days! Let's just say it was much needed!

We returned home last Sunday evening and now we are back to the normal stuff. The highlights of the week included Rachel getting her braces off (hey!) and the kids decorating our Christmas tree. I love listening to Christmas music and watching the lights dance around with pretty colors on the tree. We already have too much junk food around so I am sure not to succeed on any diet this month - like I really intended to!?!





We hope can all stay warm and enjoy the true reason for the season!