I WANNA BE A COWGIRL

This is one of our favorite things that comes out of pre-school each year. Seriously, these are my favorite. Grandma Debi, this one's for you.

Our Week Home - Random Shots

What a week! We have much to be thankful for!

• An outstanding family - thanks aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, grandmas and grandpas!
• Beyond amazing friends
• An amazing Mother-in-law and Mom - its not easy after raising five of your own to come and help out with the next generation! We know that and man, you were such an immense help! Thank you, thank you, thank you. We miss you already!
• Sleep! We are thankful for our two-hour snoozes.
• The girls are thankful for West and the time they get to hold him before dashing off to school.
• Go Taani go! Men are wimps, I know that now (kind of always knew it but am reminded everytime we have a baby).
• An amazing little guy we call West - can't imagine our life without him.

This was hilarious - his first bath and then after when Debi rubbed his feet he would do this laugh that was a crack-up.

I couldn't resist putting this one of Neeley up. She is thrilled with her brother, so-much-so that she forgot to put her make-up on (see previous posts).

The Kids & Grandma Debi Meet West

Yup, Neeley put on some make-up before seeing West. Aren't kids great?

WATCH OUT WORLD!

Ryan West Secrist

Born 9:52am

Banner Good Samaritan Hospital, Phoenix, AZ

8lbs 0 oz 19 inches long

Healthy and happy!

Announcing the Newest Member of our Family (and no, West isn't here).

Thank you Universe for finally smiling upon me. It's rare I covet a worldly posession, but I have plotted, planned and shamelessly prayed for the stars to align. Tonight I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Taani's only requirement before handing it over - I continue to blog. Am I the only Dad out there that maintains their family blog? Wassup with that? I happily sell my soul for this camera, so blogging-for-life it is Taani!

Memories of Christmas 2008

I apologize it has taken so long to post some of these, but I had blogging brain block - I just couldn't focus on it, think about it, and needed my space. I know, strange, but I do believe a point arrives where the BLOGGER evaluates the value of their blog and if it adds value or if it adds to the endless amounts of worthless information available on the web.

The bottom line: this is our family journal and we welcome our friends and family to "peek over our shoulder" and see our musings (boring or not). And then when a certain Grandma in Utah pointedly informed me to blog the Christmas pictures...I obeyed. Ah, the power of a parent to continue to influence child into adulthood. Nice.

CHRISTMAS EVE WITH THE SEELEYS:
So, as we prepared for the reinactment of the nativity we had three girls that all were pulling for the role of Mary. As a director of our low budget production, I had a challenge I had to work through. So, in our new version we had three Mary's and one amazing donkey (thanks Valoy).

CHRISTMAS EVE:

After everyone returned home we have our family tradition of opening one present from Mom and Dad. Of course PJs are the tradition.

CHRISTMAS MORNING:

The stockings were filled and the presents under the tree. We had a great quiet Christmas at home filled with movies, PJs and outdoor hiking (yes, we love Christmas in PHX).

The gals received loads of art stuff this year. They colored all day. Notice all the hair decor from their stockings.

Neeley received a cupcake making kit from Grandma and Grandpa Secrist. She immediately tore into it, put on the apron and while we visited with family she went to the kitchen and started making cupcakes. She helped herself to the eggs, milk and more. By the time I realized what was going on she had a soupy mess dished into the cupcake tin, ready for the oven. This was a hit. (see video below)