The TRUE Meaning of Christmas

This is how Emma arranged one of our Nativity sets. I had them all facing out, but I agree with her, this is much better!

May we all remember why we celebrate this special, sacred time of year. Thank goodness for those that remind us in such simple ways.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Company Christmas Party

We had the annual EFP Christmas Party last week. My father-in-law decided to do it a little differently this year. The Young Women in our ward were looking for a fundraiser, and so Denny hired them to put on a "Polar Express Christmas Extravaganza" for the office! It was just wonderful. When Santa arrived, we all rode the "EFP Express" to the North Pole where there were elves to help the kids at different stations. Seriously, such a fun night. They did an incredible job! Here are a few pictures (the North Pole was back in the warehouse so the lighting back there was, to say the least, lacking!!!):

This was Emma expression when the Santa walked in. Classic!

Ice skating!

Not really. Although, this as close as I have ever been to doing so! Emma L.O.V.E.S these!

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MAJOR updates

Wow! This is a lot. Sort of an over kill on posts. But whatcha going to do... it's been busy!! Here's what we've been up to...

Family pictures

We live in a very cool town. It's old and right on the Missouri River. It's been gorgeous weather the last few days (smile), so out came the camera and down the the river we went with kids and a tripod in tow! I had to share a few!

TOFW 2009

If you haven't been to Time Out For Women you MUST! Last year it was here in St. Louis, but this year it was in Kansas City. A weekend away... we can't possibly... so we rounded up a group very awesome ladies and took off for the weekend!! Can you say "road trip!!!!" Oh my gosh, we had a great time. While we were eating our lunch the lady in charge of TOFW knew our friend Rebekah (who has an amazing story to tell. Trust me, she's pretty great) and wanted to take our picture. So here we are. Kate, Rebekah, Me, Cammie, and Heidi:

Man, photoshop is awesome. Not that we weren't all glowing and beautiful that day, but come on, this lady is good!!

I have great friends and we had an even greater time together. That was a trip for the books!

Halloween Time

Halloween was busy! We had a Halloween Carnival up at the church before a candy filled night of trick-or-treating! The carnival turned out great. (If any of you need to plan a ward activity for next year let me know... I've got it all lined up for you!!)

Guess who we are?! Give up...? Goldilocks and the 3 Bears!!!

Miss Goldilocks
Mama Bear and Baby Bear (I don't think that porridge on Baby Bear's face!!)

Papa Bear and Mama Bear taking a moment!!

Oh, boy what a day. It was fun!

Pumpkin patch!

L.O.V.E the pumpkin patch! Always a must before Halloween. We got some great pumpkins, but first things first. Look who we saw! Chris Carpenter the ace of the Cardinals!! Yes I was that annoying fan who just had to get a picture. At least I waited until he was not right next to me, right!?

That's him in the black jacket and visor with his two kids. I zoomed in as much as I could. It's him, trust me!

Very true! Point taken!

Now some fun pics of the day!

Apple picking

Yummy yum yum! This is becoming a great family tradition! Apple picking with friends. It's great. And the applesauce I made from these little honeys is to die for. L.O.V.E. apple picking!!

Primary Temple Trip

We feel really blessed to have a temple so close to us. Our Primary leaders organized the most wonderful visit to the temple grounds for the kids. Each child there truly felt the peace and importance of the temple.

The day started out pretty gloomy. There were dark clouds in the sky and the rain was coming down as we drove to meet at the church that morning. But as you can see from the pictures the sky cleared up and it was absolutely beautiful. And just as we were finishing up and loading everyone back into the cars, the dark clouds rolled back in and the rain came gushing down. It was evident to us that there was a special "weather man" looking out for us that day, and made it possible for these sweet children to experience the beauty and reverence of the temple. It was a very memorable trip for everyone.Emma took this picture of the St. Louis Temple. Isn't it beautiful!
Emma and I with Grandma and Grandpa Coleman.
While we were there Sis. Donovan quoted a talk given by Pres. Monson on the temple. In his talk he said, "When you touch the temple, the temple touches you." This is Emma and Callie following the prophet!
All the sweet kids that came along. I love these guys!

Happy Halloween!!!!

From, Matt, Angeline, Emma, Tal and Uncle Nate the Werewolf!!

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Sneaky pants

How does he know that he should hide?

My AWESOME friends

Do you have awesome friends? Well I do! Look at what two of them have put together:



If you hurry they are doing a free giveaway!! Let's just say I'm glad to know these smart, creative, beautiful, funny, practically perfect in every way, girls! How's that for sucking up!!

The Cards and The Rams

Nate and Jasmine were here for a quick visit... just long enough to catch a game with them. It was Jasmine's first game. She was officially introduced the these brothers somewhat crazy obsession. Sadly, the Cardinals lost, but since Nate and Jasmine are moving here eventually she'll see a win. Hopefully it won't take as long as it took me.

Then a couple weeks before that a friend from our ward scored some incredible seats to a Rams game. I know, I know it's the Rams, but they're all we've got!!! This is a view from our incredible seats. Thanks Nichols'!

My Five:

1. Being the Primary chorister. We had our program on Sunday and the kids blew it out of the water.

2. 78 degree weather... Fall is coming!

3. Getting to spend time with just Tal while Emma is at school. He's just fun.

4. Finally refinishing the dressers I found at Goodwill! $75 each people!

5. Recipe night!!

Tal's first Cardinals game...

and as if that weren't enough they were playing the Cubs! WOW! Trust me these are very coveted tickets. Could this day get any better for Tal? Yes is could. The Cardinals won!!!

Choo Choo!

Emma's pre-school class had their first field trip. They do family field trips, so that the entire family can join in the fun. We rode on the WF&P mini steam engine.

It carried us through the pretty woods, along the river, and back. Emma and her new friend Brooke thought it was pretty great!

Here Fishy, Fishy

This is what we gave Emma for her birthday!!! Fish. Easy enough right? That's fine, until you get them home and they look at you like, "Why are you doing this to me?" I didn't think it would effect me this way (no wonder my mom never wanted us to have pets). I keep having flashbacks of "Finding Nemo." Don't laugh, I'm seriously having issues. Although, now that they've been here for a few days, I think they have just kind of realized that this is there fate, which makes my guilt sky-rocket. WHAT HAVE I DONE?!! Emma has no idea though. She feeds them twice a day and talks to them about what's she's doing at school. Tal just like to watch them swim. What a softy I'm turning out to be.

Rex and the two sisters Alice and Tulip! Welcome to the family.