Fixer Truck

I love watching Benson do new things. He has always loved Kimball's tools, and got his own tool set from Aunt Stephanie- which he still loves, but this one little truck comes apart over and over again. We couldn't believe how natural it was for him to take it apart and then put it right back together again. He will consult us and tell me, " I'm going to need a new drill bit for the wheels." He is all boy. He likes to use the drill for more than just his truck too. He uses it to "fix his projects."

Christmas Morning

I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't take ONE photo of Christmas morning at our house. We of course had the camera ready and charged, but truthfully it is the videocamera's fault. We have it all on film. I guess action is better than still frames, but still. Hope I don't make that same mistake again. We had a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!! It started at home with stockings, and presents to each other. One of Kimball's gifts to me will be realized in April when we get to go see Muse- live! Benson and Andrew were absolutely precious as they opened their gifts. Kimball and I were in awe at how excited Benson was that there were presents for him, and after each one he would say, "thank you mom and dad, I love it." or "Mom, and dad you got this for ME? Thank you!!!" It made us glow inside- and out. Even now- (almost February) he still remembers who gave him things for Christmas and he is still grateful.

After all the stops on Christmas day, Kimball sat down with Benson to help him actually open his things. This is one of his favorite's - his "fixer truck" which comes completely apart with a battery drill. He's also very excited about all of his new art supplies, and his Little Einsteins computer "puter". Credit goes to Santa.


Our first stop of the day was the High home. They have a tradition on making cinnamon rolls (homemade- from scratch) and taking them to the local firestation. We arrived just in time for Benson to be invited to go with Grandpa Pops. Needless to say, the firemen were more than generous to Benson and let him sit in the truck AND turn the lights on. They also gave him a hat and a great memory. He LOVED it!


I have to record the fact that after not getting a tree until Christmas Eve last year, Kimball decided to surprise his parents and show up with a tree the beginning of December. How ironic that they had bought a tree just the day before. The beautiful tree quickly found a home with Nathan and Andi. The whole thing was funny.

We were SO lucky to get Grandma Lorraine for Christmas this year. She was so brave to come during such cold weather from California. We loved having her here. Grandma Knights came over for presents to and we were spoiled with two grandmas.

Chocolate! All is fair on Christmas.

This little cheesy grin is a new one Benson has added to his many faces.

He tried to keep it on, but it kept falling off- and in some ways I'm grateful or else I'd be sneeking in his room after he was asleep to take it off.

Truly, Darryl and Louise were extremely generous and we opened many fun and wonderful gifts from them. Thank you. You do so much for us the whole year through.

These socks are yummy. I scored two pair this year, one from my friend Amy, and one in my stocking. They are so cozy.

Andi and Carter modelling their new Christmas sweaters. My boys were wearing stripes too. It must be 'in'.

Their first married Christmas! We're grateful for several reasons, 1- that they're still in-state. 2- That they shared their time with us. 3- We love the calendar. Thanks Carlie and Jeffrey.

4- oh and you spoil our kids with attention and toys.

The boys LOVE their uncle Foofrey.

This picture looks posed, but no, it's for real. Anyone who know Kimball knows that he likes to be on the cutting edge of technology. If he doesn't have it, he knows about it. (sidenote_ he takes phone calls all the time with questions about flat screens.) Well this year his parents bought him the Droid. He battled between the I phone and the Droid for awhile, even though he didn't really know if/that he was going to get it. He's in love with his Droid, and should get royalties for people that have bought it because of him. He loves it and is so grateful. As for me, I like it too, but am patiently waiting for the novelty to wear off a bit.

Emily, Derek and the kids were greatly missed by all, but their gifts were a hit. We got this awesome board made by Tanner of all the things that kids really want to play with- hardware. If you look closely, it is custom painted with knobs galore. Lexie made them a wooden race car, and they got magnet boards and lots and lots of magnets. Thank you.

Benson just couldn't wait to use his new painting kit from Carlie and Jeffrey. He really took it seriously.

A Christmas to remember. A nice family shot before we all went different directions. We feel incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful family!

Another disclaimer. Not many pictures to show the Jones festivities. I'm just in the moment and wasn't thinking. Not too many pictures, but lots of awesome memories. Here's Luke and Benson playing with a new kid's computer that stays at Grandmas.

We had an awesome dinner and my mom made some unbelievable hot wassel. She did that a lot when we were kids, but hasn't done it for a few years. The house smelled of Christmas. We opened gifts and stockings, but it was more of a free-for-all since it was later in the day than normal (3:30). Then it was time for the name gifts. We did the names amongst the cousins first so that the kids could play happily with their new toy while we did the adult name gifts. This year I had Jennifer- it's always fun to shop for a firl in the family. I got her a cute winter hat and crocheted a few flowers to put on it to make it more unique. I also gave her a cardigan, and a soccer ball. Kimball had Evan and he gave him a pair of jeans, a leather belt, and a navy golf shirt. Stephanie (we really missed not having her family here this year) had my name and gave me a Modbe swimsuit, a pair of turquoise shoes and an orange bangle bracelet. She was worried about giving me an out-of-season gift, but I was sooo excited about it. Mom had Kimball and gave him a day ski pass, Harry and David popcorn, and some scunscreen for the slopes. The boys played NES- and had a techmo tourney. We had so much fun spending time together and letting all the boys play. What a full- awesome- day. We feel really lucky that our families live near, and that we could see both sides on Christmas day!

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve at the Joneses

Grandpa's lap is even better than Santa's!
Andrew goes immediately to my dad when he gets through the door. I love how they just climb all over him, and he lets them.

After a yummy Christmas eve dinner, and lots of talking and rowdiness, we are ready for our Christmas eve program. We didn't get out the costumes this year, (we were missing all the Jones boys) but we still read Luke 2 and sang some Christmas songs.
Paul and Angela were able to visit us all the way from PA with their cute little guy Hayden.

Hayden (visiting all the way from PA), Luke, Benson, Andrew

My cute little 'MONSTERS'! Not really, they just don't make 'ANGEL' jammies for boys- why would they?

Sweet dreams boys. . . . . Santa's coming tonight!

Annual Christmas Party at Grandma Knight's

Every year that I've been a member of the High family (and way before that) we have a family Christmas party at Kimball's grandma's house. Grandma Knights always hosts a dinner- a special Christmas DINNER at festively decorated tables. Then we do a Christmas program and read the story of the Savior's birth and sing all of the Christmas hymns. Grandma has little costumes that we wear and we re-create the NATIVITY. ( I was playing the piano- hence no pictures of the nativity). Then, if everyone is behaving themselves, SANTA makes a visit and calls each of us up by name to give as a gift. He said that we were all good this year! When it was Andrew's turn, we tried to set him on Santa's lap, and it was as if we were dipping him in boiling water. He was fine, and then as soon as he started to descend onto the lap it was a fire alarm scream! We all laughed really hard and did it several times because as soon as he was off of Santa's lap- he was perfectly happy. After Sants, we get out the REINDEER antelers and just have a great time. Grandma Knight's gave each family a very special gift this year. It is a book, "The Night Before Christmas" that has her recorded voice reading us the story. That is a treasure and we read it this year on Christmas Eve, and that will now be a tradition. We love our Holiday family gathering, the beautiful and unique candle tree, the songs, and all the laughter.

Grandpa Knight's amazing candle tree

Benson is such a lucky boy to have two GREATS

(Grandma Lorraine-Darryl's mother and Grandma Mary Jane Knight's- Louise's mother)

The famous dancing Rudolph

Spencer, Rachel, Carol, Lily

"Here comes Santa!"

Carol, Lily and Elliot

He was so cute in those things.

He's been a very good boy this year.