Christmas 2009

Our mantle and Christmas tree 2009

I can't believe we now use a fake tree....and I like it...it's so easy......

Rick making sugar cookies with DJZ. YUM-I love sugar cookies!

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For Christmas Eve we always hang with the Langley side at Pop's house.

The Langley Cousins- Zack (3), Jack (1), Caroline (1), Drew (3), and Jill (3). The newest addition, Katherine, was still "cooking" when this picture was taken.

DJZ helping Lynn blow out her candles. Rick's family has a lot of December birthdays. My family is known for October birthdays.

Drew helping Pop open his gift.
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Christmas morning at Gran Marf and Papa John's house.

Jill with her barbies Christmas morning

Drew and his tractor

Zack and his bouncy ball

"The Making of Princess Papa John"- by Jill (in 8 easy steps)

Step 1- Convince him that purple is his color.

Step 2-Slowly slip the purple feather boa around his neck.

Step 3- Tell him the hat is not only fashionable, but protects his face from the sun.

Step 4- Even as he protests that the gloves just won't fit, be PERSISTANT!

Step 5-Pop some stitches if needed.

Step 6-Get the necklace over his head no matter how much he wriggles.

Step 7- Now that you have successfully placed the necklace, replace the hat.

Step 8- Sit back and admire your work.
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After spending Christmas morning at Gran Marf and Papa John's, we headed over to Becky and Ray's house for lunch.

Nanu with all of her Great Grand Kids.

Rick and I got to eat at the adult table, in the dining room, while someone else manned the trio!

Opening their Smart Cycle

Sleeping Beauty

Rick's rendition of a princess

Drew and Jill jamming with Uncle Mark

We don't have a clue where Drew got his moves, but the boy knew what to do with a microphone. It must of been The Wiggles!

We barely got on the interstate before all three passed out on our way back to Gran Marf and Papa John's house.

All the McLure's gathered Christmas afternoon at GM and PJ's.

Kenley stealing Jill's crown

Jill and her daddy

Breakfast with Hope and Uncle John.

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The day after Christmas, Rick headed to Nana's house to ride horses with DJZ.

The crew in the wagon.

Drew on the tractor.

Jill riding

Drew

Zack

Zack
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Christmas in TN

Posing for Mom before they head down the stairs.

Drew and his stocking

Zack

Jill

Snow White showed up for breakfast

Zack trying to figure out why Drew likes to play laying down.

Snow White in her castle

I get a kick out of Drew and his sleeping position.

I get a kick out of Milly's too. That is Rick's lap on the car ride home.

I receive pictures like this from Aunt Meg when she is keeping my kids :)

I'm not a fan of character themed clothing, but Aunt Meg bought Jill these pajamas and a doll on a Target run. Jill looks so proud. She loves ALL things princess.

The Newest Langley

Her name is Milly and she is our new baby! It was decided that she had to have a name that begins with M because she as an M on her forehead. See it?


She only weighed 2.5 lbs when we got her at 9 weeks old. That is what Drew weighed when he was born.....that really put how TINY Drew was, at birth, into perspective!

Here is Drew before they took him to the NICU. We still can't believe he was that small at birth.....he was 15 inches long.

Here is Zack. He was the largest at birth (3lb 15 oz, 17 inches), but had the hardest time in the NICU. Even though Drew was the smallest, he had the least amount of trouble in the NICU.

And finally, the Jill Bug. If anyone asks her what her name is, she says "Jill Bug"! Jill was 3lbs 7 oz and 17 inches long. She was the first one to come home from the NICU after 6 weeks. The boys were there 10 weeks and came home together.

Where was I? How did I get off track? Back to our new fur ball!

It took her a couple of .....MINUTES to settle in with us.

and find comfy new places to sleep.........

and keep her little 2.5 lb body warm!

Abby is still waiting for the little rug rat to go away!

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It finally got cold enough for us to start using the fire pit Eugene gave us as a "deck warming" gift.

It makes some mean Smores!

Yummmmmmmmmmmmm
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We took the kids to a local park for a picnic and to play in the leaves.

Walking with dad

Jill imitated this statue all on her own.

They worship their dad and he adores them. I could not ask for more for my little family.

Z-man

Jill Bug

Dew-bee

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I got a new camera as an early Christmas/b-day gift (Nikon D5000). I'd really like to learn a lot more about photography, but even if I don't, my pictures should look better with my new camera!

These next 3 photos I call "the faces of Drew"

"Oooo"
"heh"
"raaaaaaahrrrrrrr"

Just one face for Jill

Notice the smirk on Zack's face....he LOVES to pester and annoy!

Why play on that nice LARGE deck when you can play IN the toy box?

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The kids are officially out of their cribs! Jill is using an old rope bed (think antique), which is basically the same thing as a toddler bed, and Drew and Zack are both using their cribs transformed into toddler beds.

Zack

Drew

Jill
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Christmas Photo Shoot 2009 (at least this year I had a new camera)

Daddy and the crew

I hardly ever had one shot with all three looking in the right direction. I need to learn how to use Photoshop so I can cut and paste heads! OK, first I need to buy Photoshop!

Happy Zack

Sad Zack

Sad Jill.....when you ask her to smile and look at the camera, she always looks down....drives us mad!

I just think this one is funny

Ooo Oooo there went SANTA!

This one wound up being our Christmas card

Our early Thanksgiving with Nana and Eugene

Our real Thanksgiving with just the 5 of us. The kids' paper bag turkeys, that they made in preschool, served as our table decor.