Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas. We drove to Connecticut to celebrate with all of Derek's immediate family. We have never had a Christmas with all of the Davis family together. It was a lot of fun. The weather was nice, which made the drive easy, and allowed the kids to have some outside time. Diana, Derek's older sister, hosted everyone, even though she had a five week old baby at the time. She did a great job, as usual. Thank you Diana for everything!

Jenna, Kevin, Alyssa, and Jared dressed up in their Christmas outfits (Sunday before Christmas)


Alyssa in one of her Christmas outfits


Uncle Colin, Jenna and Tanner. I'm not sure what Colin was showing them, but apparently it was pretty funny


Alyssa, Jenna and their cousin, Tanner


Alyssa and Nana


Santa did a good job filling stockings...Kevin's, Jenna's, Jared's Alyssa's


The tree with all the goods


Nana with all of her grandchildren on Christmas morning: Jenna, Alyssa, Tanner, Nana, Hadley, Kevin, and Jared


Jenna, Alyssa, Kevin, and Jared on Christmas morning


Amanda and Alyssa on Christmas morning


Amanda and Derek - Christmas morning


Alyssa got to meet her Papa and Muzzy (Derek's dad and step mom) for the first time. Her she is with Muzzy


Derek reading Alyssa one of her new books


Alyssa with her new baby doll - thank you Great Grandma

December 2011

Random December happenings:

Kevin's first chorus concert. Admittedly, they were pretty good, which was surprising to me for an elementary school chorus.


Kevin all dressed up for his concert


Jared at Kevin's concert


Jenna at Kevin's concert


Alyssa at Kevin's concert


On December 16th, Derek and I celebrated our 11th Wedding Anniversary. It's hard to believe we've been married that long. It's been a great 11 years!

Amanda and Derek - 11th Wedding Anniversary


I watched my sister's children over night one night. Here they are eating lunch.
Janie, Levin, and Jared


Derek strung some fishing rods to take to an outdoor party we were invited to. We ended up not fishing, but now they are ready for next time.


Derek and Kevin - Kevin was tackling Derek while he tried to take some pictures of Alyssa


Kevin


We were trying to take pictures of Alyssa all dressed up, so Jenna and Jared wanted in on the action too.

Alyssa and Jared


Jenna, Alyssa, and Jared


Jenna, Alyssa, and Jared


Alyssa in one of her Christmas outfits


Alyssa getting good at being up on her tummy


Alyssa tries rice cereal for the first time


Alyssa


Jared thought that Alyssa should have something to play with...


Alyssa figured out how to free her arms (just one in this case, but she can get both out)


I love this picture of Alyssa


Jenna reading to Alyssa


I think that we had too many late nights in December...


Kevin, Jenna, Derek, Alyssa and Jared

November 2011

November was a fun month. It was full of Thanksgiving related activities. It ended with Thanksgiving in South Carolina. We are thankful for family (especially for family close by), for friends, health, a home, food, having our needs and many of our wants met, and most of all for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We are truly blessed.

Jenna looking cute with some braids in her hair


Jenna being artistic


Kevin and Jared playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii


Jared and Alyssa

Alyssa


Another picture of Derek sleeping while taking care of Alyssa. I am beginning to see a pattern here.

A friend of ours had an 80s themed birthday party in November. Here we are all dressed up and ready to go. It was really fun.



Jared dressed up as "Quiet Fox" for his school Thanksgiving Feast. They chose their own names.

Jenna the Pilgrim for her combined class feast.


Jenna with the turkey waiting for the Turkey Trot at her school. Kevin and Jenna's school does a "Turkey trot for Technology" each year to try and raise money for smart boards in each classroom.


Jared, Alyssa, and I went to watch the turkey trot. Jenna and Jared at the turkey trot


Jenna before the turkey trot


Jenna running the turkey trot. She did pretty well. She held back in the beginning because Jared wanted to run with her, but we all soon realized that wasn't going to work out. After that she ran the rest of the way. I was proud of her.


Jared decided he wanted to "run" it too (he doesn't go to this school yet). He finished the whole thing. I was impressed.


Kevin running the turkey trot. He did well too. He ran the whole way. Again, I was impressed.


Kevin after the race. This is one of his favorite pictures of himself right now.