Merry Christmas!

We are patiently waiting for Santa and the reindeer to stop at our house. We hope you all have a very Magical Christmas! We love you all! Love always, Rob, Jill, Joshua, Bradley and Emmalee

Santa & Mrs. Claus

Friday, December 14th Emmalee was able to meet Mrs. Claus (she met Santa last year). She was not sure if she wanted to go to either of them but Mrs. Claus won! Emmalee just sat and stared at Santa and as they listened to the Mommies and Daddies and the other kids talk to them Emmalee just sat and watched and listened as if she was supposed to be there. Santa and Mrs. Claus come to visit a very nice house about 5 miles from here, there is a very nice house that is always beautifully decorated and Santa and Mrs Claus come to visit and allow pictures for a food or toy donation. The donations are then given to an orphange. Hunter came prepared.....
Hunter had already written a letter to Santa telling him everything he wanted for Christmas. Hunter gave the letter to Santa and then Santa asked him to put it in the mail box. Hunter appeared to enjoy his visit with Santa.
Our friends Jana and Skylar came to see Santa and Mrs. Claus with us and Skylar actually hugged them both. This is the first year she has gotten close! She received a scroll with some crayons so she could write a letter to Santa to tell him what she wants for Christmas.
It was a wonderful night! Sarah and Hunter - again, Thank you for letting us tag along!
Love Jill and Emmalee

Zoolights 2007

On Wednesday, December 12th Sarah, Hunter, Jana, Skylar, Sue, Sheri, Emmalee and I did our annual trip to the Phoenix Zoo for Zoolights! It had rained all weekend and all day Monday and Tuesday so we were a little nervous about the weather. It was a wonderful night, there was a chill in the air but it was not as cold as it had been. We walked the zoo and looked at all of the lighted displays. There were zebra's, flamingo's, lots of penquins, frogs, butterflys, and even trees that danced to music. I took Emmalee out of her stroller near the trees to see what she would do, she danced with the music and then decided it was her turn to walk.... walk..... and walk.
The time flew and before we knew it, it was time to get the three youngsters home, bathed and in bed (to their respective homes of course).
I beleive Sarah, Hunter and I have been for the last 5 years and Emmalee for the last two. I think we hooked Jana, Skylar, Su and Sheri!! Thanks for joining us and Sarah and Hunter thanks for another wonderful year.
Love Jill and Emmalee

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPAW!!!

I wanted to take a minute to wish "My" Papaw a wonderful 86th birthday! Papaw is an amazing man who has taught me patience, love, trust, loyalty and friendship. I have many wonderful memories with my Papaw but one of my favorites is when Papaw and I went on a road trip to Kentucky for a family reunion and to find some genealogy information. Papaw was patient enough to listen to my music as we drove and even more patient when I woke up and thought we were going to run straight into the side of a mountain.. the song playing was something about Money!!! Papaw, as Jodie said you should be up for sainthood. You are an incredible husband, father, brother, grandfather, Great grandfather and friend. We all love you more than words could ever express. Thank you for being "our" Hero, mentor and friend!!! May this year be a Happy one filled with love. I am proud to be your #2 doll. and I have to say... we are so wonderful because we "Take after our Papaw." We love you! Happy Birthday!

Love, Rob, Jill, Josh, Brad and Emmalee

City of Chandler Light Parade and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting

Sarah and Hunter invited Nana Phyllis, Emmalee and I to join them in Chandler for the light parade and Tumbleweed Tree Lighting. The weather here has been very wet and cold so we were not sure if we were going to go. We made it down to Chandler (just about a mile south of my old house.) We enjoyed the Parade and then watched the 51st lighting of the Tumbleweed tree!!! It was really cool to actually see the tree light up since we have never seen it live in all the years we have lived in Arizona. To some I am sure we have some strange traditions, but we have to do something since we don't have any tall pine trees in the Phoenix Metro area. Enjoy the Pictures! Sarah and Hunter thank you again for inviting us!!!!

Santa Cow... yes, I said Santa Cow

Today we decided to go meet Santa Cow. The Chick-Fil-A restaurant in town had an unexpected visitor. He is Santa Cow and he came to town to take pictures with the kids. Emmalee was not sure what to think... she would not sit on his lap and she would not get close to him unless I was holding her. We got close to have our picture taken and Emmalee decided she wanted to kiss Santa Cow right on the nose! She did it a couple of times. Hunter and Sarah told us about Santa Cow so we met them and had lunch with them. Nana Phyllis joined in on the fun. Hunter really wanted a picture with Santa Cow and Nana Phyllis. Here are some of the pictures. I was asked to sign a release to allow the picture of Emmalee to be used in publications... If it is I will share!

Thanks for letting us know Sarah and Hunter we enjoyed meeting Santa Cow with you guys!

Love, Jill, Emmalee and Nana Phyllis

Phoenix Suns!

On Wednesday, November 28th I was given 2 tickets to go see the Phoenix Suns take on the Houston Rockets. Rob and I attended the game and had a great time. It was a good game but the Suns Lost 94 - 100. It was neat to see Yao Ming who is 7 feet 6 inches tall. The half time show was an exhibition game by the Banner Wheelchair Suns and the Banner Wheelchair Mercury. I know several of the players who were there! It was great to seem them play!

Love, Jill and Family

Attack!!!!

It finally happened.... Papagaya and Emmalee had a battle and Papagaya now has a new name "NO-NO" Emmalee was playing in the bottom of Papa's cage after being told numerous times "No". Papagaya had enough and came to visit Emmalee in the bottom of the cage. Papagaya bite Emmalee on her right wrist - scratching her on both the top and the bottom of the wrist. Emmalee screamed and Papa Jim and Nana came running..... Following the incident Emmalee looked at Papagaya and said "No-No" in a really pitiful voice. When I got over there and Papa Jim and Nana told me what happened I did not think Emmalee would walk by the cage. I was in the kitchen and Emmalee was standing at the stair calling for me... I told her it was okay and she could come into the kitchen... it took her a couple minutes but she made a very wide berth of the cage and said "No-No, No-No, No-No..." as she passed the cage starring at Papagaya the whole time. I think Papagaya was just trying to tell her not to play in her cage.... I know she is capable of doing a lot more damage then she did!!! We did not take pictures right away so I don't have any to share! Sorry.
Love Jill and Family!

Emmalee's November Adventures

Emmalee is a very curious and adventurerous young lady. Above is a picture of her wearing one of her favorite t-shirts! Of course it is always her brothers fault (the question is which one). I am just worried about the day when they take the blame so she does not get into trouble!!!!



Emmalee decided she wanted to make some soup... so she got out the smallest pot I had and put her stuffed bunny rabbit in it and carried it around for a while... Then she decided she needed to have more pots to play with. It was very funny to watch her she got the first two pots out and then the third and then with all of her might she achieved getting the fourth pot out of the cabinet. After she had all four pots out of the cabinet she went about trying to figure out how to stack them.... She was having a difficult time stacking them smallest to biggest so she got frustrate. With all of her might she picked up the largest pot and carried it into the living room for Nana. Pay close attention to the look on her face in the picture below.

She is actually carrying 2 pots in the above picture, but she is a very determined little girl!!!! She wanted to take the pots to Nana and she did not care how heavy it was!!!! She played with the pots for almost 45 minutes. I really enjoyed watching her and seeing the little wheels inside her head turning.... I don't know if she wants to be a cook or a builder!!! On to more stories!!!

Love Jill and family!

STAY OFF THE ROADS!!!!

Josh finally asked his Dad to take him to the Department of Motor Vehicles so he could take the test and get his driving permit. So we know have a new driver in Arizona. I have actually taken him out a couple of times!!!! He is doing really good! I am very proud of him!!! Joshua also has joined the work force. Tonight is Josh's 2nd night of work at a new Pizza place that opened up in the same shopping area as Safeway. He seemed like he really enjoyed it when he came home from work last night! We will keep you posted as to how things are going!!! We are very PROUD of you Josh!
Love, Jill, Dad, Brad and Emmalee

Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Bradley Birthday at Papa Jim and Nana's house. Bradley chose to have Papa Jim's Steak, Nana's Mashed Potatoes and Papa Jim's gravy for his birthday dinner. Following our delicious dinner we also had birthday cake. Emmalee really enjoyed the frosting... I think she is begining to really like sweets!!! Bradley received a new cell phone and a fully decked out skateboard. I think he really enjoyed his 14th birthday! Happy Birthday Beezo, we Love you!!

Love, Jill, Dad, Emmalee and Josh!