Condo Time with the Croxen Clan

We went to Jen's dad's condo with her entire family for the weekend. It was so nice to get away, relax, watch movies, update the blog, play with pictures, hang out with family and just have a good time together. We also had a nice dinner all together on Saturday night - which is where most of the pictures are from.

Christmas Day!

Christmas Morning at home with Storm.

Christmas afternoon we went to Scott's parents and spent time with them and Crystal & Tim. Tim was able to take a holiday leave from Camp Pendleton and spend time with us - it was great!

In the evening we went to hang out with Scott's moms side of the family. It was a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Eve with the Croxen's

Christmas celebration with Jen's side of the family!

Hafdell Kuhlman Family Christmas

Our annual Chrimstas party with the Kuhlman's & Hafdell's, Scott's dads side of the family. It is like an annual family reunion, and it is always great to see the family and catch up with everyone!

Ocotillo Wells Camping

We finally went camping with a "toy", our new blue Minx VW Buggy. We went to Ocotillo Wells desert with our friends Jen & Mike Ramirez with their 3 girls. It was so much fun riding in the buggy with the kids and the family. It was a bit windy, so we hung out in the campers when we were not out on the buggies. Jen & I watched movies and worked on our Christmas cards. The kids had a blast just playing together. It was a really fun trip - can't wait for the next one!

Jen Goes to Connecticut

I went out to Connecticut for work for 3 days, taking the red eye out. I got sick on the plane, had a 3 hour time difference and little sleep, so it was a rough Monday morning for me. The trip was very good, just too bad I got sick (ended up not getting better for about 2 weeks, and a lingering cough that does not fully go away). It was cold with small patches of snow, but not as cold as I was expecting. The weather started in the 20's on day 1, and up in the higher 50's with rain by day 3. The kids had a hard time with mom being away, but they managed just fine with dad.

Jingle Jam

Kylee was in our church Children's Musical called Jingle Jam. She was able to be the co-host of the musical. She learned all of her lines, was a little nervous, but did very well the night of the show. It was a very fun musical for the kids. Kylee's cousins Mattie & Emily were in the musical too.

Kylee's Winter Concert

Kylee has taken up cello. The music program is offered through the school, which is great to have during school hours and she is able to learn the instrument and how to read music. She is really enjoying it. She had her first concert for Christmas. It was a very cool experience for her and for us to watch!

Knott's Berry Farm

We went to Knott's on the kids Student Free Day from school. This time of year, they have Firefighter/Police days. It was a perfect day without a lot of people at the park. We had so much fun riding lots of fun and crazy rides. Kylee really enjoys the big, fast rides. Shane does too, and he is finally tall enough to ride some more. But, he is not quite as daring as Kylee. It was a really fun day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We were able to celebrate Thanksgiving the Sunday before with Jen's family, since not everyone would be around on Thanksgiving day. Then, we celebrated with Scott's family on Thanksgiving day. Jen's dad & Janet joined us there as well. Both celebrations were a great time.

We are so thankful for our close family and all of our friends! We love you all!! Happy Thanksgiving to you.

Fire Dept Visits Shane's Class

Scott's fire crew came to Shane's classroom today to share about fire safety and have a little "show". The kids all learned from a fun presentation by the guys in the classroom. Then, they headed outside to see how the engine worked - from the loud sirens and cool lights to the equipment, and last but not least, the big "water cannon" as some of the kids called it. They shot water out of the deck gun way up in the air, and the kids absolutely loved it! After it was over, a couple of the girls in Shane's class said "Shane is sooo lucky". How cute are they. What a fun day for the class. Thanks to the Fire Dept crew at Station 4!!

Soccer Studs Shane & Kylee

Enjoy some pictures of this soccer season! The kids are doing really well and enjoying soccer.

Girl Scout Camp pictures...

As promised, here are the picutures from Kylee's Girl Scout Camp back in August. See the original post of 8/15 for the commentary.

It's been a while...

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. I've been waiting to get some pictures organized and then life got too busy. Between cheer clinic, soccer practice, soccer games, Jingle Jam (church children's performance rehearsals), voice lessons, volunteering in the classrooms, book fair, Halloween and all the fun parties, working on a soccer project, etc, etc, and trying to work 24 hours a week in there - I have been neglecting my blog. I will be posting hopefully in the next week to get caught up.

So, check back and I will have posts back to the week of September 15th when Kylee had her Cheer Clinic she does with our local High School. Thanks & hope you are all doing well!

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween, we went to the Miller's Annual Halloween party (the weekend before Halloween). All of us sisters and Dad & Janet did not tell anyone that we were dressing up. Well, in prior years of Judy's party, she always dresses up and the rest of us don't. This year, Judy decided not to dress up and just dress in Halloween colors. SURPRISE Judy - your sisters, dad & Janet all decided to come dressed up in full costume. Dad, Janet & I did not even plan our "hippy" costumes, it just happened. Bummer for Judy, but she had fun watching us all. We had a good time as usual! The kids really enjoyed the party too.

On Halloween night, we stopped by the Fire Station to see Scott, but they were out on a call. Their reserve engine was in the station, so we went ahead and took pictures on the engine of all the cousins together. My 3 year old nephew Eric loved it since he was a little fireman, so happy! The cousins have not been trick-or-treating together in quite a few years, so it was a lot of fun. Thanks KendraLee for thinking of it and having us all get together.

Tim's Birthday Dinner

We celebrated Tim's Birthday (our brother-in-law) with a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant. We had a nice time. Shane was a little exhausted after a day full of soccer though. Happy Birthday Tim - we love you!

Fishing Trip #3

Yes, it was Scott's 3rd Fishing trip of the 2008 year.

Check back to read more.....will be posting commentary soon.

After School....

I had to share this. Every day when I pick up the kids at school, they always head straight for the cement hall where we are waiting to pick them up. They all sit down, pull out their books, and get started on their homework. It is our own little "after school program". I guess they figure they can get their work done, or at least started, while all the moms are talking. Then, they can play right when they get home. They even walk and do their reading at times on the way to the car. It is great!