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!