Christmas Day

Santa ate our cookies!

Here's a few pictures of the kids opening presents. Santa made his second stop to our kids this season and found them with no problems in NC. Just one more visit from Santa when we get to Georgia and are reunited with Daddy!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Eve with the Lewis Family

After eating a delicious meal, we settled into the den for a Nativity play by the grandchildren. Luke was Joseph and Kaitlyn was Mary. Eve played as baby Jesus. Miriam was supposed to be an angel but wanted the role of Mary instead. What a diva! Madison was an angel and Connor was a wise man.

After the play, we opened gifts. Here's Miriam opening the pots and pans that Maw Maw gave her. She was so happy and just smiled so much!

Luke was excited to get more Book of Mormon scripture action figures from Maw Maw.

Eve acted impartial to most of her gifts but I think she will love them all in just a few months! ( I liked them all and can't wait to start playing with them.)

Paw Paw gave Connor this cool tractor. Doesn't he look so cute sitting there with his John Deere hat?


We had a great afternoon with the family and the kids were so tuckered out that when I asked them to lay in bed with me for a nap, I didn't get any refusals. They were out in 3 minutes! Now that is what I call a Merry Christmas!

Snow in NC

We arrived in NC on the 15th...just in time for a major snow storm to hit a few days later. We loved watching it fall from the sky! Luke had a great time crunching through it a few days later (he was sick with an ear infection the day it started snowing). Miriam didn't really like the snow...too cold and the glare off the snow made her pretty upset.

A Visit with Santa

Before we left Washington we were able to sit on Santa's lap and give him our requests for Christmas. Even little Eve had a chance.

My 3 little ones

When we got home, Grandma couldn't resist taking a photo op of Eve under the tree since she looked like a present in her outfit. Eve is 6 weeks old in this picture.

Eve's Blessing

We were able to bless Eve Leona Fife the Sunday that Morgan was home. Here's the five fabulous Fifes afterwards:

Our sweet Eve

Fife Christmas

After we got home from church, we told the kids that Santa was going to visit if they ate their lunch and took a short nap. The kids were very willing to eat and sleep once we spotted a few elves in the yard looking in the windows to see if they were being good. ;) Then we heard a clatter during our nap and knew that St. Nick must be near. The kids ran upstairs and saw presents and stockings waiting for them by the tree. Santa made a special trip to Grandma and Grandpa Fife's house early just for our kids since Daddy was in town and since we are moving soon.

Grandma made the cute apron Miriam has on and even one for Luke. Miriam went for the candy in the stocking first.

Luke was all about opening presents. He has to open them all first before he would stop and play with the new toys. Miriam is chomping on some chocolate in this shot...like I said, she went after the stocking! Luke can now play as Diego with his rescue pack.

Grandma was very smart to give Miriam Dora's backpack. Now Luke and Miriam can go on all kinds of rescue missions and adventures together!

Eve slept through the presents. I can't wait to dress her up in the outfits Grandma gave her. She will look so cute!

The children and I are flying to NC on the 15th to spend our 2nd Christmas before moving down to GA. It's a busy time but we are grateful to almost be at the end of being separated. Happy Holidays to you all! We will have lots of Christmas' to share with you!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

On a very breezy and chilly Saturday we set out with Grandpa and Grandma to pick the perfect tree. Whether it was the chilly air or love at first sight, we found our tree in less than 5 minutes.

Grandpa was Eve's designated holder while we decorated the tree.
Grandma took over the tricky part with the lights.

Miriam liked the star and gingerbread people ornaments best.

Luke was so cute throughout the whole process. He sang the "Fa la la" part from "Deck the Halls" while Grandma was working on the lights and each time he hung an ornament, he would ask me to take his picture. He really got into the spirit of decorating the tree.

Our Christmas Tree

The best presents I have ever received...

We'll add Morgan to this picture on Thursday when he comes for the weekend and for Eve's blessing at Church. We can't wait to have our 1st Christmas with him this week!

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because of all the food. Grandma worked really hard this year to provide a feast that the Pilgrims would have been proud of to share with their Native American friends.

Eve's 1st Thanksgiving (4 weeks old)
Great Aunt Marti and Eve

Miriam and Luke enjoying the crackers from the appetizers...my kids do not appreciate the wonderful Thanksgiving dinner foods like I do.

Thank you Grandma for a delicious meal!

Luke's Thanksgiving Preschool Program

Luke's preschool performed a Thanksgiving program complete with song, dance and the story of Thanksgiving.

When we arrived Mrs. Rumel was reading Thanksgiving stories to the children. Miriam wanted to be a part of the class and went to join them in the circle.

Luke had excellent rhythm and kept a steady beat when he played the drums. I was very proud to see him alternate hands while playing too.
One of my favorite songs they sang was "Albuquerque Turkey." Luke would sing this for us at home and just crack up laughing while doing so. Here he is performing it with his class:

Here's Luke performing part of the Indian dance:

Peaceful Eve

Is there anything more precious looking than this sweet, peaceful, sleeping Eve?

Miriam the Big Sister

Miriam is such a good helper with Eve. On Tuesday I had just finished feeding Eve and was getting ready to get dressed for the day. Miriam asked to hold Eve and I was a little hesitant about letting her do so. However, Miriam completely surprised me. She sat completely still on the couch for 15 minutes as she held Eve while I finished getting ready. She loves to help in any way with Eve or whatever I am doing. She wants to help unload or load the dishwasher or help cook. I am grateful to have her around. She reminds me of Miriam from the Old Testament and how she watched baby Moses float down the river. I can imagine that Miriam watched over her baby brother Moses just as carefully as Miriam watches over Eve.

Happy Halloween

On Halloween Morgan and Grandma took Miriam and Luke trick-or-treating to some of the nearby neighborhoods. Since we had been in Dominica for the past 2 Halloweens, we really wanted the children to have the experience of American trick-or-treating. Once again, Eve and I stayed home. There's always next year for us!

Our little pumpkin Eve

The Loot

Luke trying to decide which to go for first

Miriam loved the mini Oreos

Yummy!

The kids asked on Sunday night if we were going trick-or-treating again. 2 consecutive nights of treats spoiled them!

Halloween Party

Morgan and the kids went with Grandma and Grandpa Fife to the ward Halloween party. I opted to stay home with Eve since we had just gotten discharged from the hospital earlier that day. I know... I am such the party pooper! I sent the camera with the troops and it looks like they had a great time!

Miriam dressed up as Tinkerbell

Luke as Buzz Lightyear
Dr. Morgan Fife, Tinkerbell and Buzz Lightyear

Miriam and Luke at the Cakewalk

Dr. Fife showing Buzz how to play the pin the nose on the Jack-o-Lantern

Grandpa helping Tinkerbell with her aim

Tinkerbell fishing

The kids then got to trick-or-treat to the different classrooms. They came home with so much candy! Tinkerbell was so overwhelmed by the amount of candy that she opened one pack of M&M's and started stuffing them all into her mouth. I guess she wanted to finish one pack so she could find other treats to devour. Mom and Dad also enjoyed the treats! I love being a parent at Halloween!