Antonio and Crystel's play date

Alice looking at her rice crispie creation

Crystel hers. Piper hers.

And Antonio his. Wow.... look at that candy!

Opening presents.

Christmas at Aunt Pat's

Sliding was great! The presents were awesome!

Sitting on the couch watching Mary and Pat open their gifts!

Crystel explaining the story on her card to Mary. Every card has a story.

Aunt Pat showing Jody and I a gift we might make for all the aunts and uncles next year.

Crystel explaining her card to Aunt Pat. Antonio did not have a story, he said.

Sliding, sliding, sliding.

The gals tried to have Midnight go sliding. No go.

Crystel and Antonio did a great job with big people shoes and big people ski's on. They liked it.

And then ... we tired her out. Does this mean we overstayed our welcome? We shall see. Though after posting this picture we might not be invited back.

Antonio's first grade program

Antonio is in the white shirt. 6th one over. Standing next to the little blonde girl that he is sweet on. She is on our right. They sit together at lunch. He bought her a Christmas present with the money he has saved. Her name is Alice.

Crystel and her hat

Crystel's first grade program. Or Crystel and her hat.

People say Spirit is fat. We have a fatter cat. Spirit usually stays hidden. She comes out after the kids and Bandit Rose goes to bed.

Yellow belt test. Antonio and Crystel had birthday parties to attend. I was happy about that. I was a bit concerned Crystel would have spent the test time laughing. Laughing at what - I don't know. Antonio already knows not to go there since we have classes together.

And I passed. Next pictures will be with me with a yellow belt on.

Jody's work party

Crystel and the Grinch. Where's Antonio? Not here. He's hiding someplace not anywhere near the Grinch. Last year he had his picture taken with the Grinch and not Crystel. This year it's Crystel and not Antonio. Next year will we see both of them? Hmmm.

Christmas Play at church

Preschoolers, Kindergarten, and first graders dressed in their pajamas. Antonio in the middle. Singing silent night. A very nice play. I was pleasantly surprised. Crystel in the middle. She knows exactly what she is to do but she does her best not to do it. I think her shyness wins out. Her songs are in her heart.

Singing.

Lighting the advent candle. We always love it when we get a family photo without trying.

Four friends ... on a warm day ... before the cold ... before the snow.

Halloween 2009. There are two witches in the picture. Crystel and Kayla. Her little sister must be a bunny. The one true witch.

The one true Claw.

Nattie.

Antonio the CLAW.

Big Antonio. A face we love to love.

Crystel a witch without even trying. No makeup needed. She is such a natural witch that it is unbelieveable. She won first prize in a Cub Scout halloween contest.

The Daisy's.

hiking

The whole family went minus the cats. Bandit Rose pooped out first. Even before the kids.

Ah, he can't wait to have that knife from Cub Scouts. But where don't we take the knife? School.

Spirit visiting us at bedtime. Antonio is very pleased she didn't run away.

Maggie. Holiday spirit? Bandit Rose. Her typical look.

Merry Christmas 2009

The little girl in Santa's sleigh is Crystel. She wanted to ride in his sleigh this year. You can't see it because of course it's a doll. The star goes one with some help.

Antonio and Crystel take care of decorating while watching a movie.

The cats enjoy the tree after everyone is in bed.