Schlitterbahn Christmas Lights!

Schlitterbahn Christmas Fun and Lights!

Sledding!
Heidi is way ahead of me.  Ralph was trying to get a picture of the both of us.  
Anna was tired by the end of the evening!
Pretty lights!

We went to Schlitterbahn to see the Christmas lights.  It was nicely done.  They have a couple of rides and ice skating.  Not a big enough rink and way to expensive for the amount of time you get to skate.  Other than that we had a lot of fun!

Merry Christmas!

Us in front of our Christmas tree.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas fun!

Christmas 2008!
Matt Simpson reading a Christmas story to all the kids!  
Blair and Heidi decorating gingerbread(graham cracker) house.
Showing off our houses!

This was our first year away from family on Christmas.  It was different and fun all at the same time.  To see what others have for Christmas traditions was fun and we hope to add some of them to ours.  We had Christmas eve dinner with friends that were not going to be with family either.  I guess this is good preparation for when we are moving around more with the military and not always close to family.  Our much loved friends were our family this year.  And for that we are truly grateful!!!  Thanks for sharing your holidays with us!!!  Love you all!

Santa's Cookies!

Our wonderful host and hostess on Christmas Eve!  Kate and Matt
Everyone is hard at work making the perfect cookie for Santa!
Why does Santa get all the cookies?

The kids had a lot of fun decorating cookies for Santa!  Everyone got to take home a plate of delicious cookies and treats!  I bet there was a Happy Santa!!!

More Christmas fun!

Tree down on the Riverwalk.
Boat ride to see all the pretty lights.
Look what I got!!!
Christmas PJ's! Oh yeah and presents!
Cute Nathan!  Posing for the camera.
Gingerbread houses!
Mine!
Ralph's was a two story with balconies and a deck out back!
This is what you do with all the left over candy!  Pile it on your ice cream!
We got caroler's while working on our houses.  The Melville's stopped by to bring some Christmas cheer and treats!

Best Buds!

My two best friends!  I'm so lucky to have these two!
As crazy as we sometimes act!
Tyra we are trying to SMILE with our eyes!
And the craziness continues!  
I often wonder how I ended up with two incredible best friends.  I'm so glad they got to meet each other.  I love you both!  Thanks for letting me be silly old me and still loving me. 

Dairy Keen! Yummy!

I promised my friend Bryan I would go to this place and try their milkshakes and onion rings! They were way good!  Thanks for the tip!  

Snow and Temple Square Lights!

SNOW!
Temple Square!
Friends and lights!
Do you want some snow?

Pretty lights!

You would think we were in ALASKA the way we were dressed!
Strike a pose!
All bundled up! BRRR it was cold!

There wasn't much snow but it was so COLD and probably the most snow I will see this winter. We move to Texas and miss a huge snow storm in Washington.  I love snow too bad I missed it. Temple Square was beautiful I haven't seen it in years. 

Ralph's day to day life away from home!

Ralph is currently working on his Masters in Nursing Anesthesia.  These are a few of his classmates.  He has been studying hard for all of his exams and is doing really well in school.

I am so PROUD of him!

SEA WORLD!

Oh my!
Shamu!
This is the coolest!

Lucas seems to be enjoying himself.
Dolphins!  He was loving every minute of it!

Feeding the dolphins!
Family picture in front of the Penguins.
Me and Lucas!
Grandma and Lucas!
The girls!  
Sisters!
The end of the day!  After all the rides and shows.  Me and Ralph!
Someone has had quite the day!  Taking a little break! Or Snooze!

We had a wonderful time at Sea World!  Ralph and I had been once before but I had more fun sharing it with my family.  To see little Lucas excitement and my sister's.  She loved the shows just as much as Lucas.  It was a long day but a great day!  Ralph and Chris went on this one ride 5 times in a row!  We enjoyed a couple of water rides as well!  To help cool us off during the heat of the day!  Only in Texas!