5.4.3.2.1

Counting down to a new year! We borrowed American Idol for Wii from my sister. Jeff and I had a great time playing it. The kids didn't last too long. CJ played for a while then joined Brian to watch tv. Alexys stayed up the longest of the kids, she lasted until 9:30. This was the first year in a long time Jeff and I actually made it to midnight. New Years day we took the kids to see Bedtime Stories and to Chili's for dinner. It was a very nice family day. Cheers to you all for a very Happy New Year!

Fun at the Park

Yesterday the girls and I went to the park to play for a bit. Just some pics I took of Sam for fun! She loves the swings as much as Alexys does. I can't believe how beautiful its been the last couple of days.

Christmas 2008

This year we decided to go with an artificial tree. The first day I had it up I did walk over to feel the needles to see if they were dry and to smell it. lol. However I am so glad we did get one. I love it. It feels good to not be wasteful of mother nature.

Christmas Eve we had Jeff's dad Jack and his wife Melinda and daughter Katelynn over for dinner. It was my first time cooking a turkey in a very long time. I must say it turned out very well. We watched the Adam Sandler movie Zohan. Very funny! The girls left cookies and water (Alexys' idea) for Santa on their new plate they did at the ceramic store.

Christmas morning we did things a little different this year. Cj went to his Granny's house and we stayed home. We stayed in our PJ's all day. We did feel like we should be doing something. CJ came home Christmas night along with two new family members (2 rosy boa snakes). YIKES! Thats a whole new post to come later.
Samantha and her new shopping cart that Santa brought her. She is having so much fun with the walking toys. She wants to walk so bad like the rest of us.

Brian opening one of his gifts. This year we let the boys buy their own presents so they didn't have much of a surprise Christmas. Brian decided he didn't like it very much and would rather be surprised.

Alexys got some fake nails in her stocking and boy was she excited. Daddy not so much he thinks they are too grown up for her. Santa also brought her a new leapster 2 and some games. She had asked him for a Nintendo DS but we thought she was too young for it. Since getting the leapster 2 she has been playing with it non stop. We havn't heard one thing about the DS. Wheew! Santa did good this year.

This smile is what I loved the most! To be a kid again with all the excitement!

This was Samantha's first Christmas getting to open gifts. She wasn't so sure so daddy had to do it for her.

The day after Christmas Jenny and Martin and the dogs came to our house for the weekend. We had a great time. We had a lasagna dinner and opened our gifts. Jeff and I bought the family a WII for Christmas. I must say it has been one of the best things we have bought in a while. We made everyone their own MII. We had bowling tournaments all weekend. Everyone got really into it. Alexys beat Adam in boxing KO'd him. So funny!

Brian, CJ and our nephew Adam ( Terry's son).

Terry (Martin's Son) and Jeff.

Alexys in her adorable Santa hat Aunt Kathleen made for her. My sister in law made all the kids santa hats and they loved them.

CJ and all his Christmas Dough!

Martin.

Gramma Jenny got Alexys this adorable pig he makes oinking sounds and moves.

Jeff and his new Arizona Cardinals hat. The Raiders have been sucking so bad for a few years now and with all the visits to Arizona we thought we would adopt a new team.

Jenny

I made a mini album for Jenny about one of our visits to her house.

Brian and CJ

Alexys got a Cupcake maker from Gramma Jenny and it was a lot of fun making and decorating the cupcakes.


Samantha figured out she can climb up on something to reach the candy canes off of the tree.

Trying to get the candy cane opened. If ou look on the floor next to her she broke it in half on her own. lol

Well we had a wonderful Holiday! We wish all of you a Very Happy New Year!

Love The LaDue's

Happy Sweet 16 Birthday Brian!

HaPPy BiRthDaY! Yet again I can't believe how fast you are growing up. Seems like yesterday you were this little guy and I couldn't understand a thing you were saying to me. I had to have CJ translate! lol. Thank you for being the wonderful man you are growing into. We love you!

Gingerbread Houses and Baking Cookies

On Tuesday us girls had a great time in the kitchen. First the girls decorated the gingerbread house...
Yes our house had a roof problem. Every year it does. I call it a built in sky light!

Then we baked lots of cookies! They had a lot of fun decorating the sugar cookies. We had lots of candies left over from the gingerbread house so they got really creative.

Our taste tester! She gave them an A+.

Officially an Adult!

I can't believe how fast these 18 years have gone. It seems like yesterday I was bringing you home from the hospital. Now you are a grown man. Enjoy all life has to bring you. Happy Birthday CJ! We love you!

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Happy 1st Birthday Samantha!

It has been such a wonderful 1st year! I can't believe how fast it has gone. We had a few friends and family over to share the day with us.

The GIANT cupcake! It was all yours. You weren't quite sure what to do. I am sure if I set this baby on the floor and walked away you would have demolished it. You just took little bits of it and ate some. You never really stuck your hands into it. I did break off a piece and you made a pretty good mess with that.



Cupcakes for everyone! The kids loved looking at each others tongues to see if the frosting changed the color.

12 months notes

weighs 18.6 lbs.

28.5 inches long.

has 3 teeth and cutting 3 more.

says nightnight,hi,dada,mama,cj and angel.

is a chatter box.

into everything she can get into.

walking furniture.

gives kisses.

wearing some 6-9 and 12 months clothes.

size 3 shoe doesn't like to wear them though.

hates socks too.

loves animals.

likes to through herself back.

plays peekaboo.

loves music.

gives high 5's.

will let you wipe her nose if you ask.

Visiting Santa

Today Jeff and I took the girls to see Santa. Its something we look forward to every year. I don't know why I thought Samantha wouldn't cry this year but she took one look at him and was not happy! Alexys asked him for clothes, shoes and cars. I was cracking up. The clothes and shoes I could see but the cars not at all. What happened to the hot pink Nintendo DS she has been talking all about. Guess Santa is getting off easy this year.

Thanksgiving 2008

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Arizona to visit Mom and Martin. We had a great time. We always do! Lots of shopping, food and fun!

Jeff's cousin Ashley and Samantha
Alexys decorating Grandma's new Christmas tree. Which is beautiful without any ornaments!

Thanksgiving meal! It was delicious! Jenny did a great job!

Jeff

Martin

Terry and his pooches!

Alexys' centerpiece she made at school!

Our Pilgrim and Indian!

Grandma and Samantha playing!


Samantha's new thing is so cute! She scrunches her nose and blows in and out!