Christmas photo overload

I probably didn't need to post all these pictures, but I just couldn't help it. Everyone is just so cute! We had a great time in Montrose, and then back at our house for more presents. We are blessed! And seriously, I know I've said it before, but Hannah is the CUTEST EVER!

Hannah enjoying some dessert.



out of order, of course, a bunny in our back yard that Cade snapped a photo of.


Cade picked out a huge puppy for Hannah since she loved his giant penguin so much. She loved "doggie!"



Hannah loves Cade :) (and vice versa. "she's nice" Cade kept saying. Must be different than little brothers ;)


Cade built Jeff an awesome demolition tool and hid it in the garage with a treasure map to find it.




Cade taught Hannah how to touch his new ipod touch. I'm sure Jenn and Jake are thrilled to have her learning video games at an early age ;)


Hannah helped Cade open his gifts.


Some of the pictures I had to include just because the candid facial expressions are hilarious.


Jenn and Jakes dog Lucy enjoyed the presents, too.



Cade, Jake and Jenn


Grandpa, Hannah and Cade




Cades cousin Conner brought over his awesome drums and everyone gave them a try. (even Hannah and Grandma!)


Hello, how cute is Conner???!!! And that boy had rhythm!



Patsy and Jim


Grandpa and Hannah



Hannah literally knew almost all the words to the entire Frosty the Snowman song.


Jenn and Jake




Rockstar!


Kylie the rockstar


Hannah telling Jeff all about "baby."





Helping Jeff load the dart gun. Another thing I'm sure Jenn and Jake are thrilled she learned ;)


The tradition of snow shoeing after Christmas-gorgeous


Jeff and Cade


Cade, Kylie and Conner


Back at our house doing one of his favorite things-drinking egg nog. Not just any egg nog-the BEST egg nog in the history of the world. Royal Crest. 12%. Yep.


More presents at our house!


Oops, a stray picture from Montrose. Jared, Conner, Cade, Jeff and Kylie.


Not sure what Jeff got, but clearly it's awesome





Parallel clamps? OH YEAH.




A cool remote jet from Aunt Ann.



Checking out the multi tool that he was so excited to finally get!

And I think that's all for now folks. Thanks for stopping by!

Christmastime is Here!

Well, Christmastime WAS here. I've been trying to post some pictures FOREVER but the computer just would not cooperate. We have faster Internet now, though, so it's working. YAY! We've had a great week with Cade here and we have another week to go! :) I've had two fun Christmas parties with friends and we celebrated with Jeff's family in Montrose. We've also played in the snow with my parents. We still haven't even opened all of our presents yet. "That's one good thing about having so many parents-there are lots of presents." Cade. ;) I'll check in again soon. I hope you've all been enjoying a season of peace, love, joy and rest. Merry Christmastime!

Liz and Kevin's adorable place downtown. They did a gorgeous job decorating-as soon as you walk in you feel at home.



Staci, Grace and Liz. We celebrated with cini-mini's and apple cider.

Me and Liz

Grace and Stace were cracking up! We had to take about 5 pictures before they could pull it together :)

Jeff and I had a Christmas date last year and I made all green and red food. I decided it should be a tradition (the date night, not the green and red food) so this year we had an italian theme. Pizza bread and spaghetti with meatballs. YUM!

I went to Tiff and Brian's beautiful home in Denver for another party with the college gals. Tiff has done an amazing job with their place. You feel like you are walking into a catalog. It was so fun celebrating with a Raclette meal.

Me, Tiff, Steph, Grace and Sar

Here we are getting ready to sled at my parents place. It was so cool trying out the sled Cade built. It worked GREAT and was super fast!

There goes Mom!

Dad trying out Cades sled.

What is he doing? Maybe the tube is too slow for him!

Cade even said the sled was easy to push up the hill.

Mom and Dad thought they'd go down the hill together. Mom looks like a raggedy ann doll!

We roasted hot dogs after the sledding trip. A really fun day!

More pictures to come!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas???

This weekend was the Annual Smets Family Christmas. That's my Grandma Ellen Smets Garretsons' family. She had 4 brothers and for as long as I can remember they have taken turns hosting the family Christmas gathering. I haven't been to all of them. In fact I've only been to a few. But I sure do love that side of the family. Each time I get together with them I learn a bit more about them and grow to love them much more. These pictures may not look like your ordinary Christmas gathering, but for us, it was nothing but joy and fun! Thanks so much Grandma, for hosting, your home was gorgeous and the food was delicious. Thanks, also, to everyone for driving to McCook and bringing scrumptious treats to share! Until next time :)



Aunt Shirley, Mom and Dad working on some Christmas trivia. (Cousin Nick in the background. PS these are my mom's aunts and uncles and cousins.)


The lovely tree.


2nd cousins: Braden and Kyle


Uncle Bill overseeing the game of Spades with Kyle, Brandy, Braden and Scottie.


Scottie and Brandy-so cute! Brandy is wearing earphones to muffle the shot gun!


Cousin Brent, his son Trevor, Uncle Bill and Braden and Kyle.


Target practice :) Brent, Nick (brothers), Kyle, Trevor, Bill, Scott, Brandy, Jim, Braden, Granddad and Dad.


Oh yes! Sledding behind the 4-wheelers. (I can't recognize this person...oops.)


Uncle Bill


We had two going at once!


Granddad getting Kyle ready for a ride.


Uncle Bill pulling Scottie.


Uncle Steve and Granddad.


Yep, I'm excited :)


Trevor giving someone a ride.


Oh boy. Did I mention the snow kicked up like a blizzard? There's Frosty-I mean Dad.


Poor Dad!


I thought I was ready. I was wrong! I had to fall off on purpose because the snow in my face was so horrible!


I know this is blurry, but I just love how Grandma is laughing and having so much fun with Nick!


The whole crew minus Sue and Jim and Brent and Connie who had to leave early.
Back row: Tom, Steve, Granddad, Trevor, Kyle, Bill, Jo, Nick
Middle 1: Marlene, Donna, Hannah
Middle 2: Ann, Grandma, Reed, Dad, Dorothy, Shirley
Front row: Brandy, Scottie, Janna, me, Mom and Braden


Granddad, Grandma, Steve and Gail

Oh, and this is back home. Check out Hubbs new coffee table! Isn't that a beauty?! Sheesh, my man is talented. Want one? (a table that is, not a hubby ;)




I'm practicing settings with my camera. Love this picture with the lights and the shadows on the ceiling.


Last but not least-Chloe. She was thirsty!

Santas reindeer sure do know how to sing!

This is for Patsy :)

"Another Way to Give"

Check this out:

http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/12/small-measures-with-ashley-another-way-to-give.html