Still a very merry Christmas.

 Christmas morning started around 6:00 a.m (we had to wake up the kids).  We were on a rigid schedule because we had church at 9:00 and Rick had a meeting at 8:00.  So we opened up gifts in a very timely fashion.

Stockings are always my favorite. 

Emily joined the party too. 

Truman gave Emily one of his projects from art.  It was a paper mache figure from Lord of the Rigs, Frodo, to be exact.  Emily loves him.

Can you see the ring?

 Winston got a train.

 Quinn gave Rick his Rubik's Cube because Rick is always trying to solve it whenever he puts Quinn to bed.

Truman some socks.

 I got my favorite Christmas candy, See's Bordeaux.  Delicious.

 Mouth watering.

 After church, we had a bunch at my home for my side of the family at 11:00.  We had ham and rolls with all kinds of fixins.  It was lots of fun.

My niece Sammy. 

Miss Kimber.

 Some of the group.

We had a white elephant gift exchange and then a talent show.  I saw things I never imagined possible.  How does a 50 something year old woman walk down a wall backwards, touch the ground and then come back up without injury?  I don't know but it happened.  I don't have pictures to prove it probably because I was too stunned.  Truman did a standing back flip in my living room, much to my dismay.  I worry about injury, you know.  Emily and Steven played, "O Holy Night," on the piano and Quinn was supposed to play the violin but he was too embarrassed, he said.

It was a fun and happy Christmas.  I only missed Cole a few times.  The end of January he'll be out one year. It's incredible how fast time flies.

A very merry Christmas.

The day or two before Christmas there were lots of happenings going on.  Winston sported the Santa outfit that his mother and three uncles all wore when they were his age for Christmas Eve. 

Ted stole, helped himself, to THREE cookies while I was at work.  Apparently he'd growl whenever anyone would get near him to retrieve the goodies so the kids put him outside and let him enjoy his kill.  Naughty boy. 

 On Christmas Eve at 3:00 p.m. our time, we got to call Cole, our missionary in Japan, for his Christmas morning which was 7:00 a.m.  We used Google Voice, which failed miserably.  Then we went to Skype through the computer, without the face time, and it worked flawlessly.

Bama came over to talk to Cole too.  It's funny to me to see her talking to the computer because she is the least technology minded person I know.

We all took turns talking to Cole. 

Santa talked to him too.  He said, "Mom." 

Then we went to the Tipton's for Christmas Eve festivities which included each family singing a Christmas song.  You can see we took our song, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," very seriously.  I'm straining my neck 'cause I'm singing so hard! 

The Hess's sang too. 

The Hales sang a medley which was a stunner and crowd pleaser. 

Mimi and Papa 

Last but not least was an impromptu song by 4 out of 6 of the Tipton Children with actions.  

It was amazing. 

 This will go down in history.  For sure.

More singing.  The kids caroled to a couple of neighbors and to the Tipton's.  I'm told it was fun.  I didn't go, it was too cold for me. The guys wondered how they got picked to accompany the kids.  I guess we're just good like that when it comes to comfort and traditions.

But wait, there's more to come.  Later.

My precious!

Long before I ever heard about "The Elf on the Self" (which was last year...not exaggerating), I had this little guy.  He's nearly the only thing that has survived many, many moves as a child and the test of time.  I love him.  I do.  My tree ornaments are silver and then there's this green guy who sticks out, and I love it!  My brother had a red one while we were growing up.  Somewhere along the way his little elf got lost.  Through the years he's stolen my green elf and thought it was funny.  I didn't.  Honestly, I couldn't even be a good sport about it.

I can't help but feel that I need to wrap up my guy and give it to my brother in the name of sacrifice and all because I know his meant a lot to him as well.  I expressed to my daughter my feelings to which she said, "Not the elf!  He's special, we all love him.  You can't give him to Dave!"  I didn't realize that he meant something to someone other than me.  That changed things....but I still feel guilty that I have one and David doesn't.  Maybe we can do joint custody.  I'll think about it.

Stationery card

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Christmas 2010

Rick setting off to give Christmas Cheer to our friends and neighbors! 

This year, for the first time, we opened presents on Christmas Eve at Mimi and Papa's home.

Don't think the kids didn't  L O V E  that new deal!

After diner and presents, Papa drove the kids around the neighborhood to sing Christmas Carols.

I stayed inside.

Everything set, waiting for the kids to wake up.

It's tradition to go through our stockings first.

It's always been my favorite part of Christmas!

Truman and Quinn got new bikes!

Quinn is a serious Lego fanatic!

We found the perfect family game

Just Dance II for the Wii.

It's super fun and is good for the figure too!

My boys and my nephews are tying it out.

Cole's got the moves down.

I'll get a picture of Sammy where she's looking at the camera.  I've got one, the computer just doesn't want to give it to me.



20103

Starlight Flurries Christmas Card

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I love Easter!

Somehow Easter seems so much more fun when your kids are little.

At least smaller than mine are now.

But, I still love it.

I insist on making baskets for all of my offspring.

Including Steven and Emily.

Can't help it.

I love Easter baskets!

Sees chocolate is the best.

Here are just a small sampling of the Tipton cousins.

Quinn's the oldest of the bunch.

("Which one of these is not like the other?")

Delilah was loving her some Easter chocolate.

Can you see the drool dripping down from her chin?

Em and Steven dressed in matching Easter stripes.

She even has an egg in her hand to prove its Easter.

Truman got an Easter wound from catching the football on a burm.

Good times.

Can't get a normal picture of these two.

Whatever.