Sophie's First Place Essay

Sophie won our community's annual holiday essay contest. She got to read it in front of a big group of people who come for the evening to hear the choir sing carols, watch a Christmas parade with Santa in the firetruck, hear the mayors from both Monmouth and Independence speak, and as the climax, hear the winning essay and watch the giant sequoia tree get lit. Sophie did a nice job reading her essay, and then she got to light the tree. It was really cool!

Tommy's Taking a Bath

Tommy at the Park

Christmas Dresses

The girls got some Christmas dresses from Grandma Bevans, so we had to have a photo opportunity. I personally like the picture with the hick teeth (probably Jer's favorite too)

Dad's Birthday, November 19th

Steven, Meg, and Michael and Bill and Vivian Rogers joined us for dinner to celebrate Dad's birthday.Michael posed with a chicken bone in his mouth, pretending he was a dog.

Michael and His Birthday

Michael's latest fascination is with combines, so for his birthday Meg baked him a Combine Cake. If you look closely, you'll see that the combine has a driver and his name is Michael.Grandma figured Michael is now old enough to be inducted into the family "search for clues to find your present" tradition, so he got picture clues.

Helena's First Snow!!

It was a scramble to find hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants, but the first real snow of the year has the kids bundled up and making snow angels (notice it is angels, and not angles). It also has the hot chocolate flowing. Speaking of which, Mom, I still need that recipe. Thanks.

Gum Disaster

Well I always knew if one of my kids was going to do it, it was going to be Brooke. Call it mother's intuition, or call it a self-fulfilling prophecy, but that child has been banned from scissors for most of her childhood in an effort to avoid this situation. Can you see the teensy wad of gum in the gigantic pile of hair? Luckily, it's not really obvious, she did an admirable job blending it with her bangs that are growing out, and the shortened portion still fits into a ponytail, so it could've been worse.

Some of My Favorite Pictures

The kids after making wooden spiders from Lowe's.
Andy's making sure none of his siblings get to his Smarties.

Ellie just being Ellie.

Cutie Patooties

Ellie and Andy on the quilt Pook just finished for Ellie:

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Here are some pictures for everyone to enjoy.

The Hill family:
Ellie -Poor Cinderella
Andy - Cow


The Bevans Family:


Sophie and Phoebe - Hermione and Dobby the House Elf (Harry Potter)


Brooke, Janelle and Claire - Arwen, Galadriel and Frodo (Lord of the Rings)


Todd and I - Nacho and Encarnacion (Nacho Libre)

Michael had to be his favorite hero for Halloween (and every other opportunity). Talk about getting your money's worth out of a costume!

Michael having fun at the trunk or treat. He had a really hard time not using his hands for this.

India in her 'scary bones' costume - the eye shine was a nice effect don't you think?