Lucas plans a fun birthday party

Lucas had firm ideas of what he wanted for his 6th birthday party. It started with his dad making quesadillas for all the guests...

...with all his aunts, uncles and cousins invited, and a big rich chocolate cake.
Lucas was proud to use both hands and his shirt to tell his age.
Lots of guests came to the party.

Elsie got acquainted with her 2nd cousin, Huck.

The kids played basketball and volleyball and then the dads played.

Then Lucas unwrapped his gifts...

Then all the cousins lined up by age to take turns hitting a pinata.

The little girls went first and didn't make any dents.

Then the boys each got to take three whacks at it.

James hit it hard and the candy went flying across the floor.

Everyone filled their pockets with candy.

Than Grandpa Hawkes took us up in the attic for a tour. It was cool.

A Double Blessing

Me and my sister Laura holding our new babies.

Cousins, Elsie and Oliver, were blessed on the same day at the same meeting.

This photo is of some of our family that joined our celebration. Mike's sisters Dina, Marla, and DeAnn and their families and all of my siblings were there with the exception of Kate and Nate and their families. We were thrilled and flattered that so many made the effort to be there with us.

Mike and I looking half asleep.

Sisters & Elsie's blessing gown

Cousins born in 2009

During Christmas break, the cousins born in 2009 got together for a photo op. I love this photo so much I borrowed it from my mom's blog to post here. From left its Oliver (Laura's son), Millie (Nate's daughter), Isla (Dave's daughter), Joseph (Jim's son) and Elsie.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring -- not even a mouse.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear but a big van and the Delta misplaced luggage delivery man! Miracles do happen. We said, "Thank You" with a big chocolate Symphony candy bar.

Santa and his wee elf take a rest during the calm eye of the storm.

Lucas, our early to bed, early riser, is first on the scene--grinning from ear to ear. His concern that Santa wouldn't know where to find us was put to rest. On the Christmas Eve flight into SLC, Lucas saw a miniature sleigh pulled by eight tiny reindeer and driven by Santa out the plane window at 30,000 feet. But he was going in the wrong direction, or was he?

All the girls were in the pink for this festive event.

The boys found digital cameras in their stockings and were side-tracked taking photos for a long time.

Mike gets his first official induction into the University of Indiana Medical School.

After an eventful, fun-filled morning, the tissue paper has settled and all that can be heard is the sound of cold cereal munchers and Super Mario Brothers.

It's a Wild, Wild Life

Mike, Dad, Jim and David drove up in the canyon at dawn to look for wildlife. It was well below freezing.

They saw a lot of elk.

Looking through binoculars, Mike announced that he saw a pair of mountain lions. This met with total disbelief, "You mean mountain goats." Cougars move with such stealth that they are rarely seen, and never in pairs. The other guys took a look and were shocked to discover that Mike was right. Can you spot the pair in this photo?

Ariel's Princess Birthday Party