Nativity

nativity, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

I chose this one in the end.

Nativity

108muril, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

I put a nativity scene as a screensaver on my phone. I debated between these 3.

Images of the Season

Nativity-xx-Philippe-de-Champaigne, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Nativity by Philippe-de-Champaigne

Christmas tree 2009

Christmas tree 2009, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

This was the earliest we ever put up our tree, on Thanksgiving weekend. It was also some of the easiest decorating our house. The kids carried the boxes up from the basement and I went through them, handing out decorations and telling them where to put them. It only took about 2-3 hours to do both the tree and the house. It has been really fun having it all done early to enjoy!

Brrrr!

DSCN5604, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

It wasn't really very cold, but I. is one of those people who always feel cold.

Sawing it Down

DSCN5613, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Tree cutting 2009

DSCN5610, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Here are L., T, I and K sitting in the tree wagon.

Fancy!

DSCN5481, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Here are Daryl and I headed out to a black tie event, our first ever. I had never owned an evening gown before this, either.

Homecoming 2009

IMG_0094, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

D. and his girlfriend attended the Homecoming dance.

In Mama's shoes

In Mama's shoes, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Enjoying His Car Seat

Enjoying His Car Seat, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

He will ride happily for a while, but when he's tired of it, look out!

M and M

M and M, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Big cousin M with our little M on her back.

More Wild Wrestling

More Wild Wrestling, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

From left: I with A on her back, L with M on his back, cousin M with T on her back.

Wild Wrestling

Wild Wrestling, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

From left: T, M, I, cousin M with K and A on her back.

Jam Pile

Jam Pile, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

One evening there was a lot of wild running and wrestling. We had a cousin and 6 friends that were here, and it was crazy fun!

Here are, from bottom, D, J, I, M, T, and K.

A Ride at the Fair

A Ride at the Fair, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

J. taking M. on a train ride at our church fair. He LOVES vehicles of any kind and she was dying to take him. Of course, he had a great time until it ended....

Beautiful Big Sister

Beautiful Big Sister, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

J. remains the favorite older sibling of all the little ones. She is loving, nurturing, creative and fun (when she feels like it--there is that Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde aspect of being 15 that makes her somewhat unpredicatble!)

4th of July

4th of July, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

Here I am, wearing a light necklace as a headband prior to the fireworks, trying to be 60sish. Overall, this vacation and the summer in general was such a celebration for me because I felt really good. Last year I didn't even go to the fabulous fireworks in Telluride because I felt too ill.

Sand Dunes

Sand Dunes, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

J, A, T, I, K and L is buried in the sand. You can tell how overcast it was in these pictures.

Buried in the Sand

Buried in the Sand, originally uploaded by PaulaK.

We went to Sleeping Bear sand dunes, hiked a long way to the water, and played in the sand. Here is I (top), A, K, and T.