Merry Birthday, Mom!!

A few years ago there was a happy little girl...

as you can see.

She grew up to be an amazing woman and teach me almost everything I know.

I love you so much,

and I am so proud to be your daughter.

Happy Birthday on this special day.

homemade gifts... kid to kid

This year we started a new Christmas tradition...

the kids drew each others names and had to come up with something unique and homemade to give on Christmas morning.

Very fun.

Next year dad and mom will be in the bowl, too!!

 Braden made Mad a custom pencil box.

Complete with an "M" made from legos glued to each side.

Spectacular!

And for Kimbel - a special frame made for her by Madison.

Kimbel promptly inserted a picture of her and her bestie, the other Mady!

Kenna presented Braden with a duct-tape wallet.  She has some seriously creative juices flowing!  Pockets and all!

Last, but not least..

Kimbel made Kenna a totebag with some iron-on decals and customized the back, too... with Ken's initials.

I am so proud of how they all worked so hard and love the unique gifts.  
We had an absolutely amazing Christmas around here!

I'm sure there are more Christmas pics to come! :)

Happy New Year!!

what I love about Christmas...

Here is the sign Braden made for his door.

"Anyone can come in but Madison.  

Why?  you ask?

Because I am making the present for Madison because I drew her name out of the bowl."

I seriously love this kid.

the santa parade .. and a really big baby!

one of the benefits(?) of having a dad who runs a hospital..

2 santas + banks + duffins = party on a float!

LOTS of candy.. and ONE really big baby on the back!

Hey big guys!

not sure if he's sharing his Christmas list.. or honking Santa's nose. hmm?

the REAL big guy.  Merry Christmas!

A few Christmas snapshots...

Kimbel & Kenna were stars in their Copper Canyon Christmas Choir Performance!

I was the star of Braden's kindergarten party..

(only because I brought the cookies and the frosting!)

Ethen was a very cooperative baby Jesus in our annual Nativity extravaganza..

(joined here by Joseph and Mary)

Christmas Eve jammies!!

We had even more "night before" excitement with Shir, Dave, Maya and Ethen!

THE Barbie Bus!!

(Don't worry Mom, I got the stickers on straight!)

It was a DSi kind of Christmas for Kenna and Braden!

...doesn't get better than this!!

Work the Christmas morning fun, girl!!

We had a great Christmas season. Lots of concerts, parties, friends and family.. Just the way we like it! :) We also got to celebrate Mom's Happy Birthday on Christmas Day!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Here's to 2010. Bring it!

Christmas Past..

I just came across some pics from December of '02.. I couldn't resist sharing them.

Mad, Kimbel & Kenna - I was trying to get a shot for our card that year.

Lil' Miss Rudolph after a day at preschool. (0h, how I miss Baymonte!)

...and sweet baby Kimbel kissing Grandma Braithwaite's moose. She loved that thing!

Hope you enjoy.. I just couldn't resist!

Happy Busy Days Before Christmas!!

Some Duffin Cousins!

    WE LOVE DUFFINS!   I know, I know we ARE duffins -- and love it!  Our cousins Jessica, Jayson, Kendall, Kaitlyn, Londan and Lydia, and Eric &  Heidi came from Smithfield on December 26 and stayed until the 27th.  It was a party!  Grandma and Raelene were here, too and Sharalyn and Matthew also joined us.  There was lots of food and laughter and fun (even some rousing Wackee Six!)  We miss you already!
  

Merry Christmas!

Rockin' Christmas Eve

How lucky are we to have Grandma Duffin for Christmas?!?

I love Christmas!

Did I mention Christmas rocked?

Holiday Cheer!

My aunt Karen sent this to me and it is TOO cute.  Merry Christmas.

http://www.glenn.tapley.us/MC.swf

Tooele Christmas Parade

We love that we can bake at the Tooele fourth of July parade and shiver at the Christmas parade!  Yup, the Duffins love a parade!!  And Madison got to ride on the CJH Honor Society float -- you go ms. smarty pants!! :) 

ho, ho, ho.

Temple Square at Christmastime!

I got to take some of the Beehives to Temple Square to see the lights and the nativity scenes (and cute YM..)

It was a beautiful winter night ~ the sights and sounds of Christmas definitely got me feeling the holiday spirit.  

Loved it.

Tree Time!

Off we headed to the tree farm ... in search of the perfect 

Utah Christmas tree!

To Braden's delight - the tree farm was a

 REAL farm with horses, cows, dogs and a BIG haystack!  

Nothing like a good climb to the top of a haystack... 

(my little country boy!)

The kids were LOTS of help decorating and singing and redecorating and laughing and being silly and redecorating and yup... tons of fun!

Ah... the shining moment ...  ya gotta love Christmas.