Christmas.... a good time of the year to remember all that God has blessed us with~ our dear family & friends and best of all... the birth of our Saviour!! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and wish God's blessings through the new year 2008!!

Ashley's graduation....

Dec. 2007... Ashley graduated from OSF Nursing School!! She was so happy she finally made it to this day.... she did excellent through nursing school! Corbin was so intrigued with Aunt Ashley's graduation hat and the tassels! For being 8 months old, he did very well through a 3 1/2 hour graduation ceremony! We are so proud of Ashley!! Congratulations, Tweeter! We love you! XXOOOX

Ella, Sophie, I....

It's not too often I get pictures of these girls! Ella & Sohie live in MN... we went there for Thanksgiving! I finally got around to getting all my pictures uploaded on my computer & loved this picture with the girls... they are so adorable! I'm just hanging out on this cold winter day~ made a pot of chilli and making Christmas cookies & going through all of my pictures :)

Collin & Tara's Wedding...

I was in my friend's wedding this past Sat. 12-1-07, Collin Endress & Tara Schrott. Despite the icy, cold weather... it was the most beautiful wedding I have seen! They got married at the Gateway Building in Peoria. We had such a good time :) I saw old friends & many of our friends from church were there! The wedding party was such a fun group and we all had a great time dancing the night away :)

Hanging out with the kids....

I think little Harper is trying to figure out her crazy Aunt Joni! She always just gives me her sweet, little smile! I can't wait to start painting her toes, buy her a cute swimsuit with ruffles on the butt :) and do fun "girly" things with her!! (and I really need to add more cute, leopard print clothing to her wardrobe! :) !!!) I am so thankful for these 2 little ones! I just love him more & more every day!!! I love hanging out at the McGowans :) After having a long, busy week... I am always ready to come see my darlings to lift me up!! Today I called Heidi over my lunch. She told Brady it was me calling, so he answered the phone~ he didn't say "hi", he just got straight to the point and said "are you coming over to see me?" :) I told him I was working but will try to come see him this weekend! It doesn't matter how stressed or how down I am... he ALWAYS cheers me up! I thank God for my little Brady! I still have messages saved on my cell phone from last Oct. of Brady leaving me messages!! I just keep re-saving the messages, because I love to listen to his sweet voice to lift me up!!

Sweet little princess...

Harper is such a beautiful baby girl! It's fun having a niece around here... I have 4 other nieces, but they all live out of state, unfortunately! (one of the girls, Ali, just turned 8 yrs today :) !!) Anyway... it's fun to see Harper in such cute girl clothes and darling bows :) I'm thinking soon Aunt Joni is going to paint her little toes! When I have stressful days or start to get down, all I have to do is look at pictures of these kids or go see them & it makes life seem so much better! I have lots of their pictures up at my desk at work... they get me through the day! Harper is truly one of the sweetest blessings the Lord has given me~ I love you, Harper Grace!

My little sis that got me into blogging... she's always dragging me into something :) Heidi is my best friend! We always have a good time and she is always there for me! We were the "middle child" .... I think that's all I will say about that :) I am very thankful for her and all of my family that God has blessed me with!

So thankful for each one of these kids....

Sophie & Brady... cute little 3 yr olds!! These are my nieces & nephew that live out of state... I really wish I could see them more! Gabe, Ella, & Sophie live in MN and Ali & Josie live in IN! I can't believe how old they are all getting! Aunt Joni with all of her adorable nieces :)

Brady lives in Blm...he can be a little stinker at times for his mommy & daddy, but he is Aunt Joni's little sweetheart!! He is always happy when I come to see him, which usually ends up being weekly! He is my # 1 buddy ! Harper is the little sister of Brady... she is the best & sweetest baby I have ever met! Absolutely adorable! I love being the aunt, because we are allowed to brag!! Corbin lives in Roanoke... he is so precious! He loves hugs & kisses and he is always smiling!

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