A Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride

In Utah

In January!

This has been the winter that wasn't really a winter!  We've had a little snow and some cold days.  But we've had a few days in the low 60's too.  And we have really enjoyed the nice weather.

We like it!

She Loves Horses

Jorg fixed this cowboy's computer (yes, my eternal boyfriend is a genius).  In return, Cowboy Bruce gave our girl a ride on one of the horses at Dee's Ranch!  Great trade, I think :)

and here are the cuties eating their (non)food at Burger King.  "Makes you feel good!"  heheh

cheese!

What a cutie! This is a photo to remember because this is when our girl declared, "I will smile for pictures now, mama!" Will the pleading and bribery and sneaky shots be coming to an end?  Only time will tell...

Merry Christmas!

Our 2011 Christmas card
and then there's this!

Weihnachtsmann

Weihnachtsmann (German Santa) comes on Christmas Eve while the children are awake.  He usually knocks on the door and leaves the presents.  Or the old man himself shows up at the door!  And everyone opens their presents.  We had a nice family dinner together on this day.  Jorg and Rebecca ran outside, because they thought they heard the Weihnachtsmann!  And we opened all the presents under our tree.

eating all the chicken skin.  she loves the skin like her daddy.

"How many more songs do we have to sing, daddy?"

so excited!

watching the pyramid spin:

Unicorn made by her Omi, blue monkey from mommy, and Ken doll from Jorg. (and a few more)

Christmas Eve

(we did not get a white Christmas this year - though the...car dust?...looks like snow in the photo)
Magnificent dinner and Pageant at Aunt Kay and Margaret's House:

My dad shared some family Christmas memories and memories of his dad, my Papa, Clair Aldrich.  He also made everyone a copy of this photo of my Papa and a quote copied directly from his mission journal:  "That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do has increased."

Look at how cute William is - I can't stand it!

Little Sophie just loved Logan...she would look at him and just start giggling.  It was the cutest thing!

Logan made the perfect Baby Jesus:

Rebecca was excited to be an angel.  And later, an elf :)

Christmas Morning

She got her wishes from Santa:  A Merliah Barbie and a talking tea set.  "I WAS a good girl this year!"

So fun playing Just Dance (thanks Kristin)!

We went to the 11:00 ward that morning (since we are in Utah and we can do that!) and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas program at church.

Christmas Day

McKinlay Family Party:

the cousins exchanging gifts :)

And we headed home, with full tummies, and hearts full of gratitude and love!  We talked about how lucky we are to have our amazing families.  We both feel so loved by my family (immediate and extended).  And so loved by Jorg's family.  And I know that my Savior and Heavenly Father also know us and love us with that same love.  Eternally grateful.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  (thought those little barbie sandals were so cute sitting there on the couch after she'd gone to sleep.)

Christmas Wishes 2011

My camera cut out at the end, but I plan to make it a tradition of interviewing her each Christmas season.  I love watching her interview from last year and noticing the changes in her speech and how much she's grown up.  I love her to pieces :)

Makin' those Gingerbread Houses - thanks Mimi!