Jones's Christmas Eve party

Brookie doesn't like to smile for the camera

But she does like to make faces.

There's a smile.

 We were lucky that the Jones's decided to do their Christmas Party at 12 so we could make it to two Christmas Eve parties. I don't mind going to more than one if I can stay, but I hate going to a bunch of partial parties.

Ashley and Brielle

Some of the great grandchildren.

Brielle and Santa

 Brielle and Brooke's favorite thing about the Jones party is that they get to open the present from Great Grandma Jones. Brielle got Skechers Twinkle Toes tennis shoes and Brookie got a Snow White polly pocket doll with prince charming and a horse and carriage. Santa always comes to this party.

Tate Christmas Party

The week before Christmas was the Tate Christmas party. I really enjoyed seeing everyone and was surprised that so many people made it.

Brookie likes her desserts.

All the Tate brothers and sisters did a musical number.

All the brothers and sisters

Back row: Lisa Johansen, Chris Miros, Jeff Tate, Debbie Fox,
Cindy Sitton, Tana Leander, Front Row: Ross Tate, JoAnn, Craig Tate

They had a hard time sitting still 

Brielle's School Christmas Party

 The last day of school for Brielle was December 16th and their school policy is that they may have one party the last hour for Halloween, Christmast Valentines and the last day of School. I went and helped and it was fun to see Brielle with all her friends. The parents plan and execute the entire party. One thing I love about her school is that the parents are very involved.

They made Christmas ornaments.

Brielle and her friend Haley

Here they made snowman cookies.

Playing with my new camera

Brielle and 2nd grade teacher

New Camera

New camera

Old Camera

See a difference?

Zoo trip

After Thanksgiving we went on an impromptu (the best kind) trip to the Phoenix Zoo with Papa and Marie. The girls loved it and it was the most perfect day, mid 70's, sunny with a slight breeze. You couldn't manufacture a better day. It was a lot of fun and then in the evening Chad and I took the girls to see the Temple lights.

Brookie the fashionista