FINALLY into a NORMAL PAIR of shoes!

Well....today's the day Tater (and myself :) have been waiting for! Its a happy day and a DOUBLE thumbs up from her Orthopedic Surgeon... she is going to be doing Physical Therapy for a few weeks, just strengthening those muscles she just hasn't used for 9 1/2 weeks. Her first therapy appointment is in the morning, so we are TRULY hoping he releases her further without any restricitons . Dr. Curtis said he thinks we are good to go, but wants the PT'ist to just confirm the progress he reported on Tatum! And Yes, Dr. Curtis is FULLY aware that Tatum starts her Winter Soccer Season (with Stockton too) this Monday, January the 5th! Not like we cut that close, or anything! Congrats on being back in shoes, Ladybug! You were a great sport.

Our Extended FHE Talent Show!

Ashlyn (Sids Family) playing the Violin , Olivia on the piano (Sids Family) and Colter with Grandma performing his talent of clapping and cute smiles

Talent Show cont'd .......

Here is Stockton talking about his Football Season, and Tatum and Stock singing "Reindeer on the Roof". Tatum forgot her Violin and music at home, otherwise she'd have played some ot the Christmas songs she learned this year.

More Talent Show......

Here are Brigg and Gunner (Sid's family) and Marlee and Miranda (Brad's family)

Tatum and Baby Kate

The Nativity

More of the Nativity.....

The Cousins present The Nativity Play

All 17 of the kids had a special part for this years re-enactment of the Nativity. (Even Jeep had a part in it) It was very touching and the kids were all super into their parts and put it on beautifully. They at the end all sang Away in the Manger. It was really neat and definitley one we will ALL remember. Miranda directed and my Brother Brad narrated, all the rest of the kids were either Shepherds, Wisemen, Angels, or Mary, Joseph and the baby. This year baby Jesus had to have a pink blanket, as the only real "baby" was little Miss Kate. Colter is now crusin' around, and never would've let someone just hold him quietly.

The Gift Exchange with all the Cousins

We drew names again this year for all the kids....and they all got to exchange them with each other after our Family Nativity Play.

More of the Presents....

Tatum is really into becoming a Make-Up Artist, so she got a make-up sketch pad, complete with how to do make-up for certain face shapes and colors, etc. Of course, they both had to have the latest version of the Nintendo DS, and Tater finally got her CupcakeMaker. I forgot to take a picture of Stocky with his cool remote control helicopter, which I will do still and post it, but I think these are their "favorite" gifts of all. Of course, and the iPods. So long to the "inexpensive" Christmas gifts. They are too smart and now what the good stuff. :)

All Smiles Thanks to Mom and Dad! (and Apple!)

Both kids asked for an iPod Nano this year for Christmas. And as you can see by the expression on their faces, that neither was pleased.

Christmas Morning.......

The kids awoken to the neat Sacks Santa had left for them, and couldn't hardly wait to get started opening all their cool gifts.

And so, it begins.......

Tatum and her little Buddy Colter!

Here is Tater and Colter, at dinner at Grimaldi's. The 2 December babies! Colter turned 1 on the 5th of December, and Tatum turned 10 on the 7th....so they are best buddies forever!

Santa Delivers!

After Santa had been here, I couldn't resist and had to take a few pictures. It was so pretty and he had put each of the kids many presents wrapped and in each of their own Sacks! Way to go Big Man!

The Annual making of Reindeer Food

It wouldn't be Christmas without making the Reindeer some sparkly reindeer food! And to our surprise, the next morning....they STILL LOVE IT! It was mostly gone, and the little piles left, were scattered everywhere, as tho the reindeer had to HOG and JOG! They had a schedule to keep.

Christmas Eve Dinner with the WHOLE Fam!

For Christmas Eve this year, instead of cooking ourselves......we made Grimaldi's cook for us! :) There were 22 of us, so only a portion of us made the photo. We gave a whole new meaning to the words "Big Family", to my in-laws..... (hence the stunned looks on their faces )and we were still minus 8 more family members from Las Vegas, as they weren't here yet. But, it was alot of fun and after dinner we went back to Brads to play a couple games and hang out.

Smoochin' on the Babies!

I only allowed my two to steal these sweet munchkins away from me about long enough to get a photo taken. I am the Mom, and bigger than they are, so I get to hold them most all of the time I am around them. We all love them. They are getting so big, its sad! They are all smiles and little angels. Good thing they take after their Mom!

Our 7th Annual Christmas with the Blacks

One of our favorite things about Christmas are traditions, and one of our favorite traditions is our Christmas with Brad and Alicia Black and the kids. We usually go to Peter Piper Pizza and eat and play games, and then exchange gifts. But, with the two little arrivals a few months ago...we decided this year to just get together at their house. We had Someburros for dinner, opened gifts, played some games, I PLAYED WITH BABIES (yea!) and even were presented a neat little Christmas Program at the end of the nite, courtesy of Aubs and Tater. Aubs on the piano, and Tatum singing. The Boys couldn't be bothered with it, as they were too busy playing destructively, as Stock and Carson often do when they are together. Even though they moved a little ways away, we still get to see them quite a bit. We are blessed to have such awesome friends!

World Famous GingerBread House Decorating!

It just wouldn't quite be Christmas, without decorating a GingerBread House, licking off the frosting and OF COURSE, sneeking in a few pieces of candy here and there. I think I have this exact picture of these two with candy in their mouths, from last year! Hmmmm......