Christmas Weekend

We headed to my Mom and Dad’s on Sat night. We got there pretty late and were able to go to church with everyone on Sunday. It was fun to see all my sisters and my little bro., and parents of course!

My little brother and baby girl fell asleep on the way to church! Late night the night before :)

 

“Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam, to shine for him each day. In every way try to please him, at home, at school, at play! A Sunbeam, a Sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam. A Sunbeam, a Sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for him!”

 

G graduated from nursery! I can’t believe he’s getting so big! We’ll see what he really thinks of it over the next couple weeks, I don’t think he quite understands what I’m telling him at this point! No more nursery G! You’re a BIG “Sunbeam” now!

Papa made a bow and arrow for G for Christmas. It is so awesome and G’s most favorite Christmas present I think! He immediately stuck the arrows down the back of his shirt and started shooting them off.. “Mom look, I am Robin Hood!” (Has been one of his favorite shows lately!)

   

Family Picture!

Dad, Katee, Shaun, Adi, Hailee, TJ, Dustin, Whit,(Maia),(Zoey), Derrick, G, me, J, Mom, E

Hailee, TJ, Adi, baby2

  

Whitnee and Derrick

 

Katee, Shaun, Baby1

(oops, hope that wasn’t a secret!)

I know, I know, she looks just like me!

Playing with more Christmas toys. Dad got a RC plane that the boys had fun with for a few minutes..till dad lost it first, then a couple flights later the wing broke (..but fixable!)

   

2 Brother-in-laws, my husband (holding the remote), my little bro, and dad!

I did get a Scroll Saw from my parents for Christmas too! TOTALLY unexpected, but I am SUPER excited to use it, as well as a game called Wacky-6 and a few other little things! Oh, and a cool wreath from my sister! I need to get that pic up!

Lots of these RC helicopters were flying around the house too! I just thought this was a cool pic! I love my camera (got it about last Christmas)! One of my goals for the new year, is to really dive into photography and learn how to use it!

Christmas Morning

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas, and it was so fun to wake up in our own beds and have our own little Christmas for our first time!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Sleeping in his new Bunk Bed! I built it in the fall, but he couldn’t sleep in it until Christmas night! Pics to come!! It worked well, ‘cause I have to make a few adjustments to the ladder or bed..still deciding, so I had to remove the ladder. ..so he couldn’t get down in the morning and wander the house w/o us!! :)

Cinnamon Rolls – mmmmmmm……

Got the tool table second had for $8 w/all the tools! I was pretty proud of myself :) He loves it and it looks brand new!

E loves her little table..mostly to climb up on top of, but has been having fun with it in her room playing “house”!

Santa brought Toy Story 3 “It’s the Lotso movie”! My son defines them as the “Without Jessie”, “With Jessie”, and the “Lotso” movies! They are by far his favorite. He watched it twice and  asked to watch it a 3rd that day!

 

Puzzle I made..he enjoys putting it together, but mostly stacking them.

E got a cute little phone and purse!

J got me a Dutch Oven Pot!

He got a wrench set and a new charcoal grill!

My dad and father-in-law went in together and got me a Miter Saw!!! :D

  

J’s parents drove all the way to our house on Christmas Eve, and then home again that night..it’s a 3hour drive both ways just to bring it to me! They went to the Chinese Restaurant with us too..it was delicious, and fun to have them! I was so sad I forgot my camera for the Restaurant :( If anyone in my area needs a good Chinese place to eat though, DEFFINITELY check out Joy Wok! Yummy and great Sushi bar too!

Christmas Traditions

…for this year..and to start in future years! I will likely add more or change things up in the future, but I want to document so I remember them! :)

Leading up to Christmas:

Advent Calendars

Elf on the Shelf

Treat plates delivered to friends (and caroling w/it when the kids are older), a night to go look at Christmas lights and open pj’s that night so they can enjoy them through the Christmas holiday.

Christmas Eve

Chinese dinner! (I forgot my camera though) J’s family tradition, my families was a fish fry w/french fries (Fish and chips..is what the Savior ate) But they have fish and fries at the Chinese Restaurant..so it’s a total WIN WIN!

Christmas Eve watch “Joy to the World” or read Luke 2. Have a Birthday cake and maybe sing Happy Birthday to Jesus while the kids are younger.

Christmas morning:

All go into the Christmas tree together singing “Here we go in to the Christmas Tree, the Christmas Tree, the Christmas Tree. Oh here we go into the Christmas Tree so early Christmas morning!”

IN OUR PAJAMAS!! (Very important.. ‘cause growing up, I always had to be dressed for the day before we got to go down to the tree!)

Cinnamon Rolls!

 

WHAT ARE YOUR TRADITIONS??!!!

2010 Family Newsletter

(I’m cheating this year..sorry!)

This has been a great year and I can’t believe it’s already coming to an end.

Jared is still in school at Cleveland working towards his Doctorate in Chiropractic. He had his PT Board in September and did great! He started in the Student Clinic in September as well and is finally able to put into practice all the things he’s been learning over the past 4 years. In January he’ll begin the Outpatient Clinic and working on people from the community. The classes are getting lighter and we actually see a light at the end of the tunnel! J He is currently serving as 1^st Counselor in the Sunday School Presidency. We all enjoyed a trip to Arizona to see family in August. ..it was a well deserved and much needed break for Jared! When he can find any spare moment, he likes to work on his car or take his motorcycle out for a ride, or just kick back and play some video games.

Ashlee has been busy being a mom and crafting as always. She and the kids took a trip to Utah and Idaho in July-Aug to see family and had a GREAT time! She is currently serving in two callings at church, one being Nursery Leader, the other is on the Enrichment Board and is having a BLAST at both! She enjoyed a little beginner guitar class this fall and has also ventured into the wonderful world of woodworking, building a picnic table this past spring and a loft bed for Gideon this fall, among many other little projects putting the “maker” in Homemaker J If you would like to see my projects: www.myswankycrafts.blogspot.com.

Gideon turned 3 this year and is such a “strong big boy”. In January he came off victorious in potty training, and has only wet the bed once (despite still going to bed w/a sippy of water every night!) He loves nursery and will miss it as he moves into Sunbeams next year. He especially LOVES being a big brother. He is such a great boy and special part of our family. Very helpful, loving, kind, and gentle. Very curious with lots of questions and can get a little bossy too!.. He says mom and dad is the boss and he is the “bossy”. He is very into Toy Story this year, and lately has enjoyed Robin Hood and Mulan as well. He has been enjoying some little sports classes this year too that have been teaching him Soccer, Track and Volleyball skills... next year will be t-ball, basketball and hopefully some swimming. He loves going to the Library to... play with the trains and story time. He loves the outdoors and playing with friends.

Ella is a BUSY little girl. She has been going since birth and hasn’t slowed down for a second. She has grown up so much this year, it is amazing to watch. She is very outgoing and determined. A BIG personality in a little body! She started walking at 10 mo. She knows when she is being funny and does things just to make us laugh! She also thinks… KNOWS she is very pretty as she puts her purse on her wrist and walks around! She LOVES playing with her big brother and it is so fun to hear them giggle and play together. She loves Bananas and Oatmeal, but will eat just about anything put in front of her. Because she is so busy, Mom couldn’t sit through RS anymore, so she gets to go to nursery w/me! She has learned a few words like, mom, dad, bye, bruuu (brother)..she knows much more than she lets on.. but is also picking up on some sign language.. please, thank you, diaper, shoes! She is such a joy to have around!

You can follow our Family blog to keep up to date here: www.daysofourlifeblog.blogspot.com.

We hope you all have a very wonderful Holiday Season. Merry Christmas!

Lots of love,

Jared, Ashlee, Gideon, Ellanor Dunlap

Merry Christmas

I saw this poem on another blog and had to share.

I hope you are all having a wonderful day! Merry Christmas from us!

 

 

Snowflakes softly falling

upon your window play,

Your blankets snug around you

into sleep you drift away.

I bend to gently kiss you

when I see that on the floor,

There's a letter neatly written

I wonder who its for.

I quietly unfold it

making sure you're still alseep.

It's a Christmas list for Santa-

one my heart will always keep.

It started just as always

with the toys seen on TV,

A new watch for your father

and a winter coat for me.

But as my eyes read on

I could see that deep inside,

There were many things you wished for

that your loving heart would hide.
You asked if your friend Molly

could have another dad;

It seems her father hits her

and it makes you very sad.

Then you asked dear Santa

if the neighbors down the street

Could find a job, that he might have

some food, and clothes and heat.

You saw a family on the news

whose house had blown away;

"Dear Santa, send them just one thing:

a place where they can stay."

"And Santa, those four cookies

that I left you for a treat,

could you take them to the children

who have nothing else to eat?"

"Do you know that little bear I have-

the one I love so dear?

I'm leaving it for you to take

to Africa this year."

"And as you fly your reindeer

on this night of Jesus' birth,

could your magic bring to everyone

goodwill and peace on earth?"

"There's one last thing before you go

so grateful I would be-

If you'd smile at Baby Jesus

in the manger by our tree."

I pulled the letter close to me;

I felt it melt my heart

Those tiny hands had written

what no other could impart.

And a little child shall lead them

was whispered in my ear.

As I watched you sleep on Christmas Eve

while Santa Clause was here.

All Stars – Track Week

G had a BLAST in All Stars this go around. Unfortunately we missed the last 2 weeks of Ice Hockey, but we’ll hit it up next time! He had 2 weeks of Volleyball then 2 weeks of Track. I think in the spring it’ll be 2 of Soccer, 2 of t-ball and 2 of basketball!

Shot Put

 

Discus

Relay

 

High Jump & Long Jump

Made Me Cry!