More Christmas Photos

Playing with a macy's bag

Gwenevere showing of her new dress sent to her from Laura and Mark and Kristi and Haini.  And her new shiny shoes from Grandma and Grandpa Thomas

Just a silly picture with Mama

can you tell where Gwenevere gets her smile from?

Trying to take a picture of Gwenevere in her Christmas Tutu.  She was not a fan.

Gwenevere's friend Kyler, rather enjoyed wearing Gwenevere's tutu.

Daniel, Max, Rebecca and Austin (hiding behind James) came to visit.

Our good friend Troy took some awesome family pictures for us

Where's Papa?

There he is

Our hat picture

Uncle Max was kind enough to braid Gwenevere's hair

Becca bushing her teeth and showing off her braided hair

James, Austin and Daniel playing the Wii while Gwenevere has her hair braided

She did a great job holding still

The wild hair the day after

Look i'm a Monkey

Meeting Santa

Playing Christmas Carols with Great Grandma

Playing with her new puppets Christmas Morning

Opening my Bosch

It was so exciting

looking a Toy Story 3 with Grandma

Gwenevere modeling the Bow

Gwenevere hugging her new bear

and Kissing

Making yummy cookies with my new bosch

Gwenevere tasting yummy cookie dough after helping Mama make cookies.

A tired baby

But before going to bed Gwenevere helped Papa change the laundry

Trying to entertain Gwenevere on our drive back home.

I must mention Rob bought us some new dishes and gave James a gift card to home depot along with other fun surprises.  

On Sunday we got a super cool surprise as both Rob and Sharolee were able to come to church with all the kids.  Gwenevere sat on Sharolee's lap the whole time reading a new book about Jesus Grandma and Grandpa Thomas gave her.  After Sacrament meeting Gwenevere took Sharolee's hand and led her to Nursery.  Gwenevere LOVES nursery.
 
Monday after Christmas we went to Old Town Country Buffet with Rob, Max, Becca, Austin and Daniel.  It was a great way to spend time together.  After pigging out we went to Bi-Mart to walk of some of the food, then we went back to Red Grandma's and played the Wii late into the night.  On Tuesday we slept in and then James packed the car and we headed home. 

We had a wonderful Christmas full of wonderful memories and lots of love and blessings.  Thanks again for making this Christmas unforgettable.

Christmas Joys

We had a wonderful Christmas.  I think this Christmas has been my favorite so far, but I say that about every Christmas.  They are all just so wonderful.

Here is the the quick version of what we've been up to

On Tuesday Max and Rebecca, Austin and Daniel came to Tacoma to visit.  We took family pictures, and played games.

On Wednesday Sharolee came to Tacoma to visit too. 

On Thursday Max and Rebecca, and Austin left to go back to Portland.  Gwenevere and I got to spend the day playing with Gwenevere's friend Katie while her parents worked.  James had a fun day playing with his brother Daniel.  That evening we packed our bags and drove to Portland.

On Friday we spent the day at Red Grandma's house (James' mother's mom)  Stephani and Lexi came to visit and we had a surprise visitor come.

 Gwenevere gave Santa a hug but didn't like the idea of sitting on his lap.  So she sat on my lap and Santa gave Gwenevere a Toy Story Snack. Then Santa gave Gwenevere a present to unwrap.  It was a book. She was very happy with the out come of Santa's visit. 

Lexi on the other hand was not a fan of the big Santa she felt much better after he left.  Then Lexi and Gwenevere played together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve Evening we went to Green Grandma's House (James' Dad's Mom).  Christmas eve is always a big deal.  All the cousins and Aunts and Uncles get together, it's a party. 

Rebecca, Max, Austin and Daniel

Scott (Rob's brother), Jill (Scott's wife), Green Grandma, and Gary (Rob's bother)

Gwenevere was spoiled by Green Grandma and by the end of the night she had a new sweatshirt and a pillow pal.  She was one happy girl.  Gwenevere also enjoyed playing with Diana

Santa came Christmas eve, filling stocking and bringing Gwenevere some cute hand puppets. 

Christmas morning we woke up looked at stockings made Breakfast and then it was time to open presents.
Gwenevere was super excited to open presents and had no problem ripping the wrapping paper. 

 Oh yeah and I almost forgot, Gwenevere got Toy Story PJs on Christmas eve.  She LOVES Toy Story.

Christmas Morning Gwenevere got Toy Story 3 from Red Grandma.  I think she was super excited.

 I got a Bosch!   awe!  

T"hanks Mom and Dad.  That was a Big surprise,

Gwenevere enjoyed playing the Piano with her Auntie

 Christmas afternoon we watched Toy Story 3

 We where every spoiled this Christmas and Thank all those who made our Christmas season so special.  I'll post more pictures later but for now I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours

Christmas 2010

Aloha Family and Friends,

It’s our favorite time of the year again.  The Christmas season is finally here.  Inevitably, the spirit of Christmas inspires kind deeds, touches human hearts, and prompts one’s mind to reach back to that humble stable in faraway Bethlehem.  Thomas S Monson once shared “the holiday season brings forth a yearning—even a longing—to be together with loved ones. To hear the laughter of children, to witness the expression of love by parents, and to feel the embrace of brothers and sisters provide a preview of heaven and the eternal joy to be found there”.

Whether we are together or apart this Christmas Season we want to send you our love, and let you know that we are thinking of you and your family this wonderful holiday season.

This past year has been a roller coaster for our family, but after all, the ups and downs are what make a roller coaster so memorable.  We started out on a high note, Gwenevere turned one on January 17^th.  We celebrated her birthday and the start of James second semester of school all in one week.  Soon after Gwenevere’s birthday we found ourselves driving to Utah for a family emergency.  Grandpa Thomas (Elizabeth’s Dad) was in the hospital and it didn’t look promising but as family gathered together Grandpa’s health improved dramatically.  Then in February we celebrated James’ 27^th Birthday.  Later on in February we found out that our second baby had died and a D&C was eventually needed.  The rest of the winter was low key and enjoyable.

 In May James finished his first year of school.  Summer finally arrived and so did all the family fun.  We spent a week in June at the Thomas Tall Moose Family Reunion at Discovery Bay WA.  Since Elizabeth was the family member in charge of the reunion our opinion is bias but it turned out great.  Alisha (Elizabeth’s youngest sister) moved in with us after the family reunion.

July is always a fun month with the fourth of July Celebration (Fireworks) and Elizabeth’s birthday.   James bought a new road bike that was an amazing deal.

In August we enjoyed the last few weeks of our summer vacation before James started his second year of Graduate school. 

September is always a special month for our family and this year was no different.  On September 17^th James and I celebrated our fifth anniversary in the city of Portland where our love first started. 

Gwenevere has grown so much this year.  She loves to read books, take bubble baths and spend time with her Auntie Alisha.  Gwenevere loved dressing up in her bear costume for Halloween.  When we took Gwenevere trick or treating she acted as if she was in heaven, every new piece of candy dropped in her trick or treat bag was just so exciting for her. 

In November James turned in his final internship request for next year.  And we were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with James’ extended family.  

As our family reflects on our past year we can’t help but share with those we love our love for our Savior Jesus Christ.   He is the one our family looks to for hope and guidance.  He is the only reason for this season.  We pray that this Christmas Season you will feel of our Savior’s love.  And once again wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love n Prayers,

James, Elizabeth and Gwenevere    

                

Visitors

Papa:  "Gwenevere guess you is coming tomorrow."

Gwenevere:  " Dano" (Daniel)

Papa:  who else?"

Gwenevere: "Awestin"  (Austin)

Papa:  "Is there anybody else?"

With excitement, Gwenevere:  "Matz"  (Max)

Papa: "Is there anybody else?"

Gwenevere:  "Nope"

Papa: "What about Becca?"

Gwenevere:  "BECCA!"  and a moment after James and I have finished laughing, Gwenevere yells "AND SANTA"

We're excited for our visitors. 

Beginning of a project

This is James and I thought I would share what a graduate student does once the unrelenting, nagging force of school work has been removed.  I have started working on Gwenevere's birthday present, nearly finished Elizabeth's Christmas gift, done research on near future car repairs (left CV joint), and now this project.
Let me introduce you to my chair

 I bought this chair shortly after we got married.  I believe I paid $5 at a garage sale which is an amazing deal since a chair in similar condition could cost as much as $100-$200 ($600+ in perfect condition).  Its a Plycraft chair which is reproduction of the much more expensive Eames chairs made for Hermann Miller.

I plan on restoring the chair in two phases.  This Christmas break I will refinish the wood and and fix all the structural deficiencies.  The second phase will be reupholstering in leather and replacing the foam padding.  I wish I could do the whole job this break but leather is expensive (does anyone out there have an extra 60 s.f. of upholstery leather in preferably black or dark brown?). 

Gwenevere was very interested in the project and was of course a big help.

Stay tuned for future installment of the project