The Nutcracker

Jen & Alex had an afternoon out to experience some culture - a local high school production of the Nutcracker. They met up with Melissa & Emma for a fancy dinner (at California Tortilla) and headed off to the show.



Girls smile pretty before their afternoon out.



The two nuts and a Nutcracker.



Melissa, Emma, Alex, and Cote.



Melissa, Emma, Alex, Kerri, and Matt.

Alex with the Smitham stars of the show.

Alex gets her program autographed.

Family shot.

Joe's Office Christmas Party

Joe's office threw their annual Christmas party and all the girls made it to the event. Alex loves to visit dad's office, so she was thrilled to go - and the visit from Santa made it even more worthwhile.



Lily and dad watch Alex with Santa.



Alex & Lily play in dad's cubicle.



Santa brought Alex a Wii game.



Lily isn't so sure about this Santa thing.

Santa and the girls.

Lily was a having a funky hair day.

Taekwondo - Test and Belt Ceremony

Alex had her test for her first belt in Taekwondo, followed a few days later by a belt ceremony where she was awarded her yellow belt. We were surprised to find out that Alex won the "Best New Student" award.



Alex lines up with her class for her test.



Justin was there, testing for his orange belt.

Alex still finds a way to strike a pose, while she is testing.

Justin at the belt ceremony.

Alex on her way up to get her new yellow belt.

Ryan with his newly-awarded orange belt.

Lily checking out the camera.

Lily trying to get into the Taekwondo action.

Great shot of one of the students during the demonstration team's display.

Alex with her "Best New Student" trophy.

Video of Alex during her testing.

Video of Alex breaking a board during her test.

Alex's Birthday

For Alex's birthday, we found ourselves back at Chuck E. Cheese. Those darn kids and the rodent. The kids seemed to have a great time, and a parent or two could be seen enjoying themselves also.



Ellie and Alex catch a wave on one of the rides.



Heather, Cote, Bean, and Dave.



Melissa, Ethan, and Emma go for the big points in Skeet Ball.



Emma takes a whirl.

Ethan and the purple freaky thing.

Erin loads up on the coins.

Calli and Ainsley racing.

Erin shows dad how it is done.

Sean and Erin.

"You know, in China we usually get rid of our rodents."

Dave "shows" Ellie how to toss a Skeet Ball.

Alex and Chuck.

Kids lined up for the eats.

Heather and Melissa.

The birthday girl.

The birthday girl with Kaley.

Sean & Kate.

Erin goes four-wheeling.

Chris tallies her bounty.

Video of Alex & Lily playing peek-a-boo.

November randoms

A collection of pictures from late November - most taken when Nana, Papa, and Auntie Emily were hanging out at the house.


Lily and Auntie Em.



Alex shows off her Taekwondo.



Group hug, that probably ended with Lily crying.



Lily all geared up for a walk.

Nana and Papa taking the Bean for a walk.

Sure are pretty, aren't they?

Lily with her Nana.

Nana with the girls.

Some funny faces.

Lily tries on some of Nana's knitting products.

Lily's days in this swing are numbered.