Vance Family Christmas Party

It is always nice to have a delicious warm meal followed by a rousing White Elephant gift exchange. My nieces and nephews are all growing up so fast - hopefully you will be able to recognize them mom and dad!
From the left: Dallin, Stephanie, Keira, Morgan, Lyndon, Chelsie, Eridee, Taylor and Justin.
"Is that you Ace?" No Grace thats Boo Radley..the newest edition to the Earl Family. I wish I had a picture of Boos face because he is adorable.

Teagie (Marquita is probably cursing me under her breath right now..she hates that nickname)

Easton, Marquita, Jeff and Lauren admiring their brand new Christmas train. WOOT WOOT Easton insists that this is "his" train.

Don't you just want to squeeze these cheeks??!!

Here is the cute fleece scarf that was passed and passed and passed around. As you can see Carlee is eyeing it very closely and that lucky bugger stole it away from me at the very last second.

Lauren is in deep conversation with her uncle Mikey.

I LOVE LOVE this girl.

Our 2009 Christmas

Our day looked a lot like this.....

Lots of smiles and pictures with Gracie's tongue sticking out...she was in a weird (but so fun) mood.

Lots of fun boxes to open and paper to run through.

And lots of play time with cousins.

Grace was so excited for this vacuum that she couldn't even keep her eyes open for a picture!

Also, this whole Christmas holiday I have been calling this little girl "Gracie Lou Who". With her pigtails and cute little cheeks she really looks like Cindy Lou Who from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". Don't you think??

Our Family Pictures

I wish Grace was looking at the camera but the colors are gorgeous.

I absolutely adore this man. He pretty much makes me smile like this everyday.

UGH...the dog wouldn't cooperate for family pictures. He also looks like a rag-a-muffin.

I just love this picture.

Strike a Pose

Can't believe this girl is one. Unfortunately, this is one of the only shots Grace was smiling in. This truly captures her cute little personality.

So serious and actually quite sad. She looks like one of those kids that needs a donation for food. Feed me!

Another true capture of Gracie...her tongue sticking out.

And this was her saying "you won't get a smile outta me today!"

I loved the colors in this one.

Don't mess with........

Wonder Woman!!!

Gracie may be petite but she can show you whose boss!!

Since we started walking, its been a whole new world for mommy and daddy. Grace has suffered from some massive ear infections so we are headed to the hospital for tubes on Monday 11/9...wish us luck!

Checkin' out her stash...

Grace turns one in just a few days. We have been working on this number 1 for weeks and she finally has it down!

Of course, Ace had to be in on the action. AND of course he was a San Diego Charger Football player...yes that's his personalized jersey. LOL

Mike and I went to a small Halloween party on Friday night. Unfortunately, all of my fun costumes are in storage right now (sigh) so we trudged to Zurchers and found Mardi Gras apparel. It worked...I guess.

Here is Grace and her cousin, Crystal. They LOVE being together. (As you can tell Elleisha is due in 1 week with Crystal's unborn sister, Cynthia). We can't wait to meet you baby Cynthia!!



My happy girl!

These two are best buddies.

I am almost ONE!

Check out our "sneak peek". Grace got her 1 year photos done by the amazingly, incredible, super-duper Denise with Bella Blu Photography. It was cold, windy, and a little rainy but she was a trooper. This picture of Mike holding Grace's hand is precious! I will post more pictures in a few weeks when Denise gets done editing them.

http://bellabluphotographyblog.blogspot.com/

Me and my ponytail

Little girls are so fun. I have been waiting for this day and it has finally come! THE PONYTAIL!! Our little Gracie is getting so big. She is now 10 months old but still wearing 6 month clothes..just a petite little thing. Grace loves to clap, squeel, say "da da" (we are working on "ma ma" daily but I think she is just teasing me by not saying it!!), crawl, walk from one piece of furniture to the next and laugh. Grace also LOVES books, dancing and singing. She is also attached to the dreaded BINKY. We absolutely adore this sweet girl.

Quick Trip to Jackson Hole, Wyomin'

For those of you who know Mike and I, you wouldn't consider us "campers". So this is what we call "roughin" it....

Yep, it was rough indeed...we had to share a bathroom with four other cabins.

Here is Mike and Grace "making do" with our king size bed in our 5 star cabin.

But no...really...this was my second trip to Jackson, WY and it is absolutely gorgeous. Mike and I had the privilege of attending our good friends wedding. The view was picturesque and we enjoyed spending time with Mike's best friends.

I'm pretty sure it is illegal to leave Jackson WITHOUT a picture of ourselves at the infamous Antler Arch. So here it is!


Camille was glowing and she looked gorgeous!

JUST MARRIED - Introducing Jordan & Camille Kuretich!

Mike and the "Shaw-eans" (yes both of them are named Shawn/Sean)

Judge Memorial (the High School Mike went to) picture with wives/girlfriends & baby included. Gracie is the first of her kind from this group.

Yo Gamma Gamma

***Apparently the show is called YO GABBA GABBA!! Thanks Tiff for setting me straight and teaching me how to be a "good mom"!! LOL I was typing too fast yesterday.....ok Tiff..that is my excuse.

Grace has found a new passion and love for a simple show called Yo Gamma Gamma. Whenever I turn it on her eyes are glued to the TV. Actually, during the entire show her eyes won't leave the screen yet she walks in circles around the ottoman. It is quite funny. But truly...how can it be that my almost 9 month old enjoys this show? It's a mystery.

"Oh my favorite show! Thanks Mom!"

Halfway around....

"I'm almost where I started and my eyes haven't even left the screen yet. YES!"

Still going....

Must be a commercial.....

Time for bed.