Christmas 2009

We had so much fun over Christmas this year. The best part was that Jessica and Todd came home to enjoy our
California Christmas.

Dennis, Nancy and Ryan came to visit the weekend before Christmas.
We always love it when they come to town!

We all love our traditional Christmas Eve Knott's Berry Farm trip. Todd had never been to Knott's so it was fun to see him enjoy it for the first time!

Newlyweds on the Ferris Wheel...
how romantic!

Swingin' sisters!

Todd, Jess, Jana and Brad on
Supreme Scream...or as we like to call it...
Supreme Pee Your Pants!

You just can't beat the log ride!
Shelby, Jana, Jess and Todd...

Goofballs!

The Beckett Bunch...most of 'em anyway!
Randy, Geralene, Jana, Zac and Cody

Silly sisters!

Pam's very MEAN children talked her into going on this...

"It's not that scary," they said.

"It's really smooth," they said.
"It's so much fun!" they said.
What they forgot to say is,
"Did you bring a change of underwear?"
NEVER AGAIN!
Pam is the green blur in the middle of the picture.
She is such a stud!

Don't be mistaken, Grandma Niecee did not ride the Ghostrider! She did ride a few other rides, but Ghostrider was a bit much for her!

We teased ShelbyLynn about her
"sexy leg" pose
So the next time everyone joined in...

We had a great family filled day!

Then we went back to the Beckett's house for a family dinner. This year, instead of doing a gift exchange, we all did a service exchange. It was wonderful. We drew names and then did an act of service in behalf of the person whose name we drew.
Here are some pics...

ShelbyLynn organized a group of her friends from drama and choir and formed a group called High School Kids for Hope. She made a sign and got a bucket and they went down to a local theater complex in Vista on a Friday night to sing Christmas carols and collect money for Operation Hope, our local homeless shelter. They raised $88.00!


Jake held a half day Day Camp and invited the kids over for crafts, a movie and fun at the park. The agreement was that while we had the kids, each mom would use the time to go out and provide service for someone. It was so much fun and the mom's
provided amazing service!

Jessica and Todd also joined in the service in Provo...

Jessica spent a night babysitting adorable Ava so Josh and Katie could have a date night. They watched a movie, read stories, and had a great time!



We don't have any pictures of Todd's service, but he shoveled and salted the big slope driveway leading from their parking garage out into the street. I'm sure everyone living in their complex was very grateful!


Pam decided to do one small act of service everyday during the month.
One of her favorite ones was visiting her Great Auntie Floy in San Diego.
It was so much fun catching up with her and talking about Grandma Alyce!

Dave took Christmas treats to
the widows in our ward...

The Beckett Family performed some great service in our behalf...

Zac took hot chocolate at midnight to the night shift crew at Vons to thank them for their hard work which helps his family buy groceries!

Cody, Jeff and Brad made blankets to donate to a resource center that helps those who are in need!

Jana spent a day making treasure boxes that are shipped to less fortunate children all over the world!

Geralene donated her time to help set up over 400 nativities for their annual stake event called "Follow the Star"!

Randy didn't get a photo, but he helped a single mom pack up her entire house and move on a moments notice. She was so grateful!


Grandma Niecee bought over 50 coats at garage sales and donated them to our local homeless shelter. They were thrilled to have them!

As the years go on, we all feel that this will be one of our favorite family Christmas memories! We each felt the true spirit of Christmas this year!

Christmas morning was wonderful...
as always!

The sisters got matching sweats...

And Santa gave the kids tickets to Disneyland!
They must not have been on the naughty list!
They look pretty excited!

Shelby got Taylor Swift's piano book and put it to good use right away!

I think it's safe to say that Toddica had a great first Christmas together!

On New Year's Eve we stayed home and had a family game night...
Except for ShelbyLynn who was sick...

The Monday after Christmas the kids headed for Disneyland...

They decided to "use and abuse" Jake's hip disease by pushing him around in a wheel chair...thereby cutting to the
front of every line!

Shelby has a "thing" for pirates!
Pirates in love!
Looks like everyone had a great day! Thanks, Santa!
On their way to California Jessica and Todd decided to take a detour to Hollywood and met up with Greg and Kerina!
Toddica had a great time seeing the sights!




This one's for Pam!