Its so hard to say goodbye!

The kids got to spend a little time with their cousins right before we left.

While we were in AZ, Auralee got to visit her very best friend. They've been friends since they were babies!

On our way out of AZ, we stopped in Coolidge and got to spend lunch with some more friends. We miss you!

A Birthday and a Baby Shower!

Durring the couple minutes of free time we had for our Christmas break, we threw Candace a surprise baby shower. It was so much fun sneaking around and she really loved it. My sister Mechelle made a yummy, yummy, yummy cake that was beautiful, and we all got her gifts. I made her a blanket cake. Normally I would have done a diaper cake, but Candace, bless her brave soul, is doing cloth diapering.

We were also able to throw my nephew, Eli a birthday party complete with another cake by Mechelle (she was kept very busy). Happy Birthday Eli! We love you!

A Bath in the Sink at Nancy's

We got ready to get our Engstrom family pictures at auntie Nancy's house. I gave Connor a bath in the sink and the girls got showers. I love giving my babies baths in the sink!

SO CUTE!

Engstrom/Snyder Family Pics 2009

I love family pictures! This year we were able to participate in them from Luc's and my side of the family. Luc was only able to join us for the weekend and then he had to go right back to work. Oh the life of the responsible! Someday it will get easier :)

All the Engstrom cousins.

The whole Engstrom Clan.

My beautiful little family!

The Snyder kids and mom and dad.

The sitting pose.

The nerdy pose.

Everybody except Lucas. He couldn't make it because of work.


The whole fam being goofy!

Christmas With the Engstroms 2009

At the Engstrom's everybody went in shifts to open gifts. We got there after everyone else had opened their gifts, so it was our turn. The kids had a blast!

Taryn sure did miss her Nancy. She wouldn't leave her almost the entire time!

Auralee enjoyed all her gifts and even got an MP3 player!

Yay for family!

Christmas With the Snyders 2009

My Family!

Early morning pics of the little ones and the tree before the masses decended.

All the above pics are by Alisha

We all gathered at my sister Mechelle's house for Christmas morning. Each family had their own little corner to open their gifts. It was so much fun watching all the kids opening their gifts!

Luc was able to join us for the Christmas weekend. It was so good to have him with us!

Hooray for family and Christmas!

Giant Customers

For Christmas I was able to go to Arizona to visit my family. On our way there, we went to Luna and visited my grandparents. A couple of my siblings and their spouses were there and we had a great time!

Collage by Alisha

We all convoyed back to Phoenix, stopping at a Giant gas station to fill up. My brother Marc is 6' 8", so when he stood next to this sign we all thought it was particularly funny.

This guy is GREAT! I was on my own this trip (Luc had to stay home and work - no vaca for the first year with this job) and I was taking care of my 3 kiddos by my self. The truck's heater doesn't work, so it was cold and Connor would cry as soon as it got dark (he hates the dark in the car for some reason) and keep crying 'till we stopped and I picked him up. On the 5-6hr trip from Luna to Phoenix, he left his beautiful wife Candace in the car with my sister Alisha and her husband Tommy and drove my dumpy, cold truck so I could sit in the passenger seat and take care of kids easier (Auralee took his place in the nice warm car). What a saint! Thanks Marc! I love you!