My "Baby" Is Growing Up

Sooo, my baby is growing up. . . .

Little Miss Nellie had her first official "date" Saturday night. Eli Gremmert (green shirt on the R) gave Nellie a 1st date certificate for her 13th birthday, to be cashed in November of 2009, when they would both turn 16 (their birthdays are 10 days apart). Well, it was a little late much to Nellie's frustration, but FINALLY at the end of January 2010, it actually happened - I guess "good things come to those who wait" :). You see Nellie and Eli have been friends since before they were born (if that's possible). Rosie (Eli's Mom) and I used to swap babysitting, even before these kids were born, so they've been playing together ever since then :). This is a fun group of kids 5/6 from our own Carnation ward - the other girl is the bishop's daughter from the Big Rock ward. They made their own personal pan size pizza's and then went bowling. Good times.

Fun in Oak Harbor

Nellie had a basketball game Friday with Coupeville so we spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa afterwards. It was fun. Nellie got to have her hair done by, Aunt Connie, our favorite beautician!
While Nellie was "processing" we convinced Jeremy to try a new "do". Doesn't he look (thrilled?) handsome?

It took several trys to get a shot of Jeremy showing his teeth - doesn't he look handsome?

A tummy contest; Lee and Jeremy were laying there being goofy - showing off their stomachs and such, when Grandma asked Jeremy what the scratches on his stomach were from. He quickly replied "they're STRETCH MARKS Grandma!" They both ended up being a little embarrassed ")
It's all okay though because Grandma reminded Jeremy that when he was little he asked Grandpa what all the "cracks" (wrinkles) were on his face - when Grandma laughed hysterically, he said "you have them too!!"

They're sooooo weird!

A walk with Scott and his "kids" (dogs)

Scott and I enjoyed some Mother/Son time today on the trail with his 2 kids :). It was nice to catch up a bit and enjoy the great outdoors at the same time. He got a new 2 dog collar system for Christmas - too bad I wasn't aware of those when we were trying to raise OUR kids :) Ha ha! Good times.

Our (physical and spiritual) "Safety" Family Home Evening

We had a Family Home Evening on "safety" tonight. Lee brought in his turnouts for part of my lesson. We talked about what each piece of clothing protected and how. Lee was demonstrating here how the newer turnout coats have a strap that is sewn to the inside of the coat (under the arms and all) so that if a firefighter is "down" it's easier for another one to pull him out of danger.
Here's Lee putting all of the firefighting safety equipment ON Nellie.

Here she is all decked out. After this we had her try to run up and down the stairs like this. It was difficult for her to do with all this protective gear on, but if she were in a burning building she would be glad that she had this on. Sometimes our safety measures seem restrictive (like abiding by the standards in "For The Strength of Youth"), like these turnouts - and we want to "take them off" , but we need to hold to them so that when we need them we've got them to protect us. Nellie wanted to try to get all her gear on in 45 seconds like the firefighters @ Eastside Fire and Rescue. The first time she tried she didn't do so well, but with a few pointers from Lee, she was able to accomplish it the second time. Soooo if we'll LISTEN and follow the instructions of those who know, we'll be safe. AMEN :)

Lee taking everything OFF.

Then we gave her this picture for her room so she'll always remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus love her (us) very much, want us to be safe, and follow THEIR direction so we can SAFELY return to them. Hopefully something sunk in - if not Nellie had fun playing firefighter :)

Happy 2010 Everybody!

For New Years Eve we went up to Emilee and Paul's house - here's a little snippet of what we did; ate, played guitar hero, DJ hero, (Wii) skiing, soccer, tennis, and frisbee. Here's Em on the guitar and Bailee and Summer singing.

Emilee and Paul on DJ Hero

Tyson was the life of the party!

Grandpa and Bailee. I asked Lee after taking this picture why he can't ever just smile normal when I take a picture. He says he looks like a dork when he does that, so he tried for me . . see what YOU think in the picture below :)

We all brought our "crafty" stuff and the girls made hats. They turned out quite cute.

Notice the party animal in the background!

NEXT - New Years Day Lee and I took off for a long walk. We ended up going up the evacuation hill and found some "TREASURES" that (Lee) we just couldn't resist!

Here we are with the goods; a ragged old camo shirt/coat, and a rocking lawn chair - yep we carried them all the way down the VERY steep hill.

A closer shot of the chair - it really IS a rocking chair. All I have to do is snip off a few ragged strings and we're good to go - it will be nice to take camping this Summer, and it will always remind me of our New Years Day walk.

We went through some pretty rough terrain on the way back.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry merry Christmas!

Christmas morning before anyone else was up

I know this is blurry but I liked the view of the lights in the dark

Miss Nellie modeling 3 of her gifts - she always WAS a "snappy" dresser :)

Chad with his new rice bag and vacuum

Lee being a goofball!

Chad and Nellie playing the Wii that Lee got for Christmas

Pay special attention to Lee's feet - he was really getting into this tennis game

A crazy timer picture of our matching jammies that Santa left for us on Christmas Eve.

Then on the 26th we headed to Puyallup for the Barrett Family Christmas Party.

Debbie had all the kids (age 18 and under) singing an action song

Danny and Dad

Joanna and Nellie singing with the little kids - a little embarrassed, but still doing it :). These 2 are just 1 year apart - Joanna has always been so tiny and Nellie so tall. The difference is not as noticeable anymore, but still there.

Santa came and visited, read a story, and then . . .

handed out gifts!!

I had to give something to my favorite brother, so here he is with his gift :). It was just a rice bag and Christmas pillowcase but he seemed pleased - isn't Christmas great?

4 of us kids went together and bought Mom and Dad a Wii for Christmas, with an extra controller, some games, and a gift card - my Mom was soooooo happy - we're not sure how Dad felt, but he LOOKS happy :). Tammie's family bought them a new camera.

Lee and I had Connie and Mark's names for Christmas. Mark has recently bought some cows and loves them to death so Billy made this transfer for me to put on a t-shirt for him (thanks Billy) . . .

along with these sweat pants (like some that Tammie and Loren had made for Lee several years ago). The "keep back 500 feet" is printed on the buns, just like a firetruck.

Miss Connie got some earrings,

and a couple of tops that I think will look stunnishing on her

The kids ended the party with a couple of pinatas.

Debbie and Chuck put on a very fun party!

On a side note, I got home from a meeting today and Lee had laid out some of his Christmas pjs (12 years worth). The rest of us actually wear them throughout the year(s) so they get worn out and eventually go by the way side, but Lee only wears his on Christmas Eve/Day and then they go in his drawer, so here's his collection. This made me smile . . . ahh "traditions" ")