All made-up

Colby got a very nice set of make-up for her birthday. She loves to give make-overs to anyone who will sit still.
So she got all prettied up and came down to have some cake.....blue eyeshadow and kind of orange lipstick....she was beautiful.

Colby's Birthday

A new hat.....

Dream Life game......

And a groovy new pillow.....amongst many other very nice gifts.

Maya

Cousin Maya....just thought this was a cute picture.

Colby took Maya on her first Four-Wheeler ride.

The Christmas picture that we didn't take on Christmas..

Colby eating lunch with her cousins Maya and Marina who are visiting from St. Louis.

Pictures

Today was the first time that all of the Carlson kids and grandkids were together. Got a few shots, but it was a pretty big group of people to catch with all eyes open, kids hands down and everyone looking at the right place at the right time.

Making cake....

Creighton and I made Colby's birthday cake tonight while she is away at a sleep-over. He was in charge of the eggs. We only had one egg catastrophe so I guess you would call that a success!

Yes, it was a cake out of a box and yes, the frosting was out of a can. It will be just fine....

More Shopping, More Celebrating, More Hosting...UGH

Just when all the hustle and bustle of the holidays has slowed down, I again find myself out shopping, preparing for parties and celebrations. And I have to do it with a smile on my face as we prepare for Colby's birthday celebration this weekend. I'm back to work, Greg is working crazy hours yet somehow we have to fit it all in. A very special little girl will be turning 8 years old soon. What a gift she is to us......

Smilebox (see test below)

I have had this installed for quite awhile, but never took the time to mess with it. I think I found it through the Creative Memories website when I was looking at their digital scrapbooking stuff. Anyway, you can make some cute stuff even with the free one. There is a place that says "post to your MySpace" and you can copy that and post on Blogger too. It does take a little bit to load on the blogger page, but you can get more creative with this one than with the One True Media. Anyway, just thought I would share.

Just a test.....

If you click on "view smilebox" you should be able to view a photobook. It does take a minute or so to load.

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View Smilebox

A few more from tonight.....

Christmas with the Carlson's......

Tonight we celebrated Christmas with the Carlson side of the family. We had a great dinner and the kids enjoyed playing together. And, of course, the gifts were all so nice too. The kids (and I) all got new robes and loved getting cozy in them tonight. I would have put the picture up of the four kids in their robes, but it wasn't one of my better shots :)

Over this past week or so I have taken a ton of pictures. I know, big suprise. But, as I look at each picture of Colby I say to myself, "when did she get so big?" She seems to have suddenly aged a few years. I don't like it at all.....

Creighton

Flarp and Floam

Creighton making "fart" noises with Flarp. He thought it was very funny to blame someone else.

Kenzie and Colby making "Floam Critters". It actually is pretty cool stuff. Kenzie is such a good sport about playing with the kids. Doing nails, hair, playing ball, trucks, or whatever else the kids come up with at the moment. They love her. We all do.

The Eternal Gift....

As I head to bed tonight I am remembering that all of the gifts we have received and the gifts we have given this holiday season are just things, temporary things. The gift we were given in the manger is eternal. Days from now we will have forgotten about the "stuff" yet we will forever celebrate the gift of Jesus. So very thankful.....

Family....

Some darn cute kids in this family!

Lightning McQueen

Creighton is a Lightning McQueen fan. He is sporting a new shirt, a new hat and a lot of race cars this Christmas.

Something about these boys. Give them a computer or a video game and they are good to go :)

Colby

My baby girl is not really a baby girl anymore. I am sad....

A Disc Gun

Never before have we ever let Creighton have any "gun" that fires anything (except water). I broke down this year and bought him a battery operated gun that fires foam discs in rapid succession. Below you see Creighton demonstrating proper and safe handling of a firearm :)

Christmas morning