Last week we were able to get together with some of our very good friends, the Walshs.

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We ate a yummy meal at Panera Bread, and had a great time chatting.

Kaity & Kaitie

Ice Skating New Year's Eve...

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On New Year's Eve, after an excellent challenge was brought to the church by Brent, we had a dinner fellowship. Then, we headed over for a few hours of skating to usher in the new year!

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Lizzy and Jessie...

My beautiful sisters!

A.J. and Caleb taking a breather...

I helped Anna around the first few times, but she caught on pretty quickly!

Samantha...I hate to admit it, but she beat me in a race! :o)

Emily is our shutterbug...

There were a lot of people on the rink that night...

Stephi couldn't skate due to doctor's orders, so she grabbed some pics for our blog with my camera.

Lizzy and Clara...

Brett during a serene moment...

Luke comes out of a turn...

Dad and the A.J. man...

The little guys from the church enjoyed the challenge of just staying up! :o)

Mom and Nathan kept watch from the upper balcony...

Brent, Kait and Dad watch the skaters...

This picture makes me smile and feel sorry at the same time. This little guy was flying around the ice on his sneakers like the energizer bunny and having the time of his life, but near the end (12:00), he looked so tired and cold! I can guarantee that the little guys weren't the only solid sleepers that night though! :o)

This week we got to spend some time with our friends the Gilberts.

Jack, playing with the 'pit' bell.

Cowboy Joe

Rick, enjoying his apple crisp....yes, it was that amazing!

Jack got "Pit" for Christmas.

Kaity, Stephanie, and I

I guess Jack thought the bell was artistic.

Christmas Morning

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Eli, trying out his new MP3 player

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Sisters

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A.J. liked his new cowboy hat.

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Kaity and Brent got these from Mom and Dad.

Nathan didn't quite know what was going on.

I got Dad this big remote for two reasons. We won't lose it as easily...and also, he can use it without his glasses. :)

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Nathan loved his animal flash cards. I think Mom decided to get him these because he was walking around the house the other day with a toy duck, gleefully saying, "mooo!"

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oh yeah, a new tie!

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Mindy gave Molly this pretty doll.

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Luke loves magnetix, and this large set added greatly to his collection.

After breakfast, Kaity and Brent called Brent's brothers to tell them about the baby. I believe Mr. Gellos was making some smart comment, which was making them laugh.

We got a special Christmas surprise!

Christmas Eve Dinner

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Elizabeth and I decided that we would try to start a new tradition to spice up our Christmas celebration. We consulted recipes and grocery ads in order to get the fanciest (yet still affordable) Christmas Eve dinner for our family. We thought it would be nice for everyone to have a relaxing evening after all the busyness of the season.

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Ingredients for Lizzy's all-vegetable soup.

Right before stirring it up...

Lizzy and I spent most of the day at the counter...

Fresh baked dinner rolls...

The younger children were wondering why we used Soooooooo much silverware! :o)

"Touch the rolls before dinner, and you die!"

The menu...

Partners in cuisine...

Appetizer: Tropical Crystal

Salad...

Mushroom/cheese tortelloni with broccoli florets and four cheese pasta sauce...

Drizzled fruit cheesecake...

Connor, after being served the first four courses, watched as we started to serve the cheesecake. Then, in a very full and weary voice, he said, "Cheesecake? I'll have mine tomorrow." Now you know a young boy is REALLY full when he refuses such a desert! :o)

The Entree: Bacon wrapped angus filet supreme...

I am sure that many of you who prepare meals for your family wonder at times if they really enjoyed the meal or if they are just being nice. Well, when I came out to make sure everyone was satisfied at the end of the meal, I got a pretty good indication that it was well received.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!