Christmas Cuties

Thanks for a wonderful Christmas! Marlin and Carolyn started dating 50 years ago on Christmas Eve. This photo was taken at one of our holiday gatherings.

Happy Anniversary Lori and Rod - 23 years

Lori and Rod were married December 29, 1984 at the Maryland Heights Church of Christ. Happy Anniversary Lori and Rod - may God bless you with many more years together!

The 5 Guys of Christmas! (Nancy)

Kyle - after opening stockings I gave everyone a fleece throw and pillow that I had made for them. Waiting for breakfast on Christmas morning - Mom makes homemade cinnamon rolls.

Jake modeling his Woolrich flannel shirt from Aunt Nancy and Colton with his new XM boom box and roady for for his car from Grandma and Grandpa Henley.

Matt with his Monticello colors throw and Eric just waiting for that special gift which was a PSP from Grandma and Grandpa Henley.

Christmas Eve - Nancy

For as many years as I can remember we gather on Christmas Eve with the Henley family. We have so much fun together. We visit, eat, play some games and laugh a whole lot. God has blessed us with a wonderful family. We miss Jill and her family! Here are a few pics from the evening! These are JD, Lori and Susan's children.

Illinois 59 - Missouri 58

Saturday, December 22nd was the Braggin Rights basketball game. Traditionally, we all would go in our Illini gear . . . . but Colton, Kyle and Eric decided to switch out this year! All I can say is "Scoreboard"!

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY KYLE!

17 years ago today -December 20th - Kyle was born in a snow and ice storm. He is our blizzard baby. He quickly made his debut with friends and family sporting the Santa suit below. Kyle is a junior at St Charles West High, plays the trumpet and is an avid sports fan! Happy Birthday Ky-man we love you!

Kyle - The Packer Fan - (JD)

Kyle wanted to go see Brett Favre and the Packers for his birthday (coming up Dec 20th).
Grandma and Grandpa got him tickets to the game and I got to go along! Kyle picked quite a game as Brett Favre broke Marino's passing record! The Packers beat the Rams! Kyle went in Packer gear and I went in Rams gear - in St. Louis I was outnumbered in my Rams gear. What a great afternoon.

Displaying our tickets and "gear"!

19th Annual Ornament Exchange

Carla and Nancy have hosted an ornament exchange for the past 19 years. For many years we did a cookie exchange along with the ornament exchange but the last several years we have had an appetizer tasting and ornament exchange. We wrap our ornaments creatively and then we play a rob your neighbor game with them. Each year we search for new games. . a candy cane hunt, hum that carol and reindeer antlers were this year. The reindeer antlers were so much fun - each team of 4 got a new pair of pantyhose and ten balloons - they were to make a pair of antlers someone would put them on and the team would begin to sing Jingle Bells. The team of Connie, Marsha, Donna and Jan won! Here are a few pics from the night.

Holiday Band Concert

Wednesday evening was the St Charles West Holiday Band Concert - Colton and Kyle play in the concert band. They looked so handsome in their new shirts and ties but of course they didn't let me get a picture of them! Here's a picture of the band - imagine them playing Carol of the Bells or Sleigh Ride - they were awesome!

You think You have Christmas Lights! (Nancy)

We were at an open house at our friends the Stahlhut's this evening - good friends, yummy food and lots of Christmas lights! Ralph adds something each year to their yard! This year Dad built the white sleigh for their yard. Check out the light display (and I didn't even capture it all in one photo!)

Happy Birthday Rod!

Happy Birthday Rod! As you can see we celebrated at the same time as we did Lori's birthday! Wishing you a special day - we love you Rod! Rod is smiling extra big because he is a loyal Illini fan and just found out the Illini Football team is headed to the Rose Bowl.

Happy Birthday Lori!

Today is Lori's birthday! We were celebrating with her at a Mexican restaurant in Champaign on Sunday evening! Happy Birthday Lori Lynn - we love you!

Rose Bowl Bound!

We were in Champaign this past weekend and the big announcement was made on Sunday night - the Illini are going to the Rose Bowl! Monday morning found us at Game Day Sports getting our Rose Bowl shirts!

Monticello Sages Win - Nancy

Matt is quite the basketball player . . . . . they won their game Saturday 35 - 30! Check out Matt at the free throw line. Monticello 7th grade team is undefeated (only one in their conference).

Oh How we Shopped! Nancy

Mom, Lori, and Nancy went Christmas shopping on Saturday afternoon after Matt's basketball game. We were successful . . . you got a Christmas moose for each $xxx.xx you spent. Look what we got!

From Marching Band to Pep Band

Tonight began the Pep Band season for Colton and Kyle - SCW beat Wentzville Holt (by about 20 points)! It's hard to get a good picture of the guys - Kyle has on white hat and Colton a light blue hat!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas - Nancy

Mom and Dad are doing a great job getting the house all decorated for the holidays - no room goes untouched! Here is one of my favorite views out the front bay window.

"Our" Black Friday - Nancy

The last several years Mom, Carla, and myself have headed out for fun "boutique" shopping. This year we were joined by a special friend, Carol. The first picture was taken at Oma's Barn. The second pic was the back of the van after several stops! We went to shops in Cottleville, O'Fallon and Wing Haven. We had a great time. We stopped for a break at the Chocolate Cafe!

Aunt Nancy is Thankful for these Five!

St Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade - SCW Band

This morning we headed out to the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade - baby it's cold outside! Mom, Dad, Lori, JD, Carla, Eric and Nancy went to cheer on the Marching Warriors! Here are a few pics from the parade. Rod, Jake and Matt held down the home front and got the turkey going.

UPDATE : SCW Band won 4th place overall and 1st place for Drum Line!

Good Times - Nancy

The last week seems to have just flown by . . .2 days till Thanksgiving. I had a camp board meeting last week and we got the Ne-O-Tez 2008 schedule completed. If you need a copy leave a comment and I will send one to you. I had Bunko at my house last Thursday night. We have been playing together for 12 years (I think) and some of us from the beginning. The best part of the evening is that we stay connected with each other. Friday night Mom, Dad, me, Colton, Kyle and Eric went to see Pattonville play in the semifinals football game. We lost 13-19. There were so many people there from Maryland Heights CoC to support Colin that it was neat!

Saturday I had the joy of having Gracie and Lexi for the afternoon. We went to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I must say that I didn't think much of the movie - why in a kid's movie do they have to have the main character die? The girls liked the snacks (Gracie the big girl potty) the best!

Saturday night I went to Eric's basketball game -they won 23-25.



We are looking forward to Lori's family coming in on Wednesday evening for Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving morning, if you have a chance, catch the St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade on KMOV Channel 4. Colton and Kyle will be marching with the St Charles West Marching Band in the parade. We will be there to cheer them on and then come home to our Thanksgiving meal.

Lots of fun to come the next few weeks. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you. God is so good and has blessed me abundantly.

Our Triple Crown

Matt (#50) won both his basketball games this

Week - Eric (red ) won his basketball game today - and

the Illini beat Ohio State!

There is great joy in the Henley Family!

Colton's Senior Night - JD and Carla

Thursday was Senior night. The Seniors from all fall sports and Marching band were recognized. Yeah, Colton!! The band performed for pre-game and then again at half-time. After the half time show the seniors all leave their marching shoes out on the field, since it is their last performance. It was a little sad:(