Celebrating Lauren

She is officially nineteen and spent her special day seeing the sharks at Newport Aquarium with Taylor. He tried to surprise her but she can't stand surprises and harassed him until he caved and told her what he had planned.  He is a good sport. We celebrated as a family yesterday with her dinner request of grilled whole chickens, mashed potatoes, slow cooked green beans and candy pizza. I got the official candy pizza recipe from Grandma Carol and no one was disappointed. Her TV has been installed and we fear she may never leave. Just kidding.

When Erin hangs out with us, elaborate tents are constructed

We took Batman to church on Saturday and he fell asleep on the way home. Being super is exhausting. Erin also joined us even though she is plugged into a new church near her house. It is always nice to have her along. She has been surprising us with visits more often lately and we love it.

Makenna's final run of 42nd Street was a success. The thespian society judged it yesterday for consideration of taking it to the nationwide conference this summer. The entire cast and crew are pretty excited by the prospect. Christmas Carol runs the first weekend in December because there is no rest for the weary, apparently.

I worked on Christmas cards today. We have decided to include the animals this year for reasons I do not yet understand but I needed a shot of both dogs together. Grilled chicken was used for cooperation. If only the kids were as easily bribed. But in all seriousness, this shot of Oliver is the one I really wanted to create our card with this year.

It is the most wonderful time of the year after all.