Nichols' Family Christmas 2009

Don't judge the photo...we worked hard for this one!


So inviting...

Patiently passing the time...

Not quite as patient...

Cute cousins Kaitlynn and Aubrey...

Listening to the boys recite a portion of Luke 2...

Will wasn't worried about a thing!

In awe of each gift...

Livvy (not feeling so well) during the "dollar hunt" (see stephanieburley.blogspot.com)

Mama dividing the dollars after the hunt...

The gang...

The logistics of our family Christmas celebration this year were somewhat simpler due to everyone living within a 125 mile radius! I don't know how many years it will be this way, but we'll enjoy it while it lasts! We were able to gather late after work on Friday and enjoy Saturday and Sunday together. Each year the house seems to become more alive by the addition of new little ones...not sure how many more years that will happen either, but it's great for now!
This was the first of at least three family reunions we will be attending this year, and spreading them out seems to make the season last longer and helps to keep us from being so rushed.
We hope you are taking time to savor the lights, the music, the children, and the Saviour who came to bring us life.

This truly is the 'most wonderful time of the year'! We have done a few fun things so far this season, including Bluffton's Blaze of Lights opening parade. Even though it was in the 40's that evening, we were freezing and had to leave a little before the parade ended. We warmed up at KFC (enjoyed the buffet, too!), and then took a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Waiting our turn...



Kaitlynn's first visit of the season with her favorite couple...

Part of our attempt to keep warm!

A little "Will time"...

This pic cracks me up! If you zoom in, you can see what looks to be a very michievous grin on Aubrey's face. Mom had just finished taking video of she and Allison in what appeared to be a real catfight!

The Burley girls were havin' a really bad hair day!

He looks just like his daddy did!

November Highlights...

What a busy month November proves to be for our family! Besides the traditional Thanksgiving festivities, we also celebrate the birthdays of the oldest and youngest of our kids. November must be the month for redheads! My brother Eric, as well as Sherry Mims (a close 'sister' of mine), both share a November 13th birthday with Allison. Just six days later, Ryan has a November 19th birthday. Enjoy the pics from their birthday celebrations...

Allison's 2nd Birthday

Started off the evening by taking Uncle Eric some birthday gifts and a balloon to the radio station where he works.

The kids enjoyed recording some clips that will be used during the Saturday morning children's programs on WTGN...

Two years have simply flown by, and Allison has grown from a tiny, helpless baby to a beautiful little girl who is a complete joy to our family! She is articulate, helpful, mannerly, and loves her family and her friends (yup, I'm braggin'!)

Olivia enjoyed trying out Kaitlynn's violin...

If you were to enlarge this pic, you would see a crocodile tear on her right cheek. By the time dinner was finished, she was getting tired and frustrated...

Birthday Girl and her "stuff"...

Livvy enjoying the kazoo...

Suzanna is such a sweetie...she loves her Aunt Steph!

This is a bad pic, but I loved the constrast...check out Will, sleeping peacefully in his infant seat, then check out Alli's eyes...

My beautiful $6 cake...lol. I'm not crazy about birthday cake (they usually look much better than they taste), so we adults enjoyed pumpkin spice cake with whipped cream.

Allison was kind and allowed her cousins to try out her new "bike"...she enjoyed pushing them around the living room...

Suzanna decided that the pink and purple flowers looked yummy, and when no one was looking she dove in! It made for some great video...she just kept stuffing it in!

Not sure which planet this child is from...

Happy Birthday Allison! We love you!!!

Ryan Turns 10!

Ahhh...the long-awaited double digits! I vividly remember my 10th birthday, and it doesn't seem like it was 23 years ago! We promised Ryan that he could have a party with all of his friends once he hit this milestone, and he kept us to our word!
He told me that he wanted a camouflage party, so we planned to do a hot dog roast, a big fire out back, and games like hide-n-seek in the dark. Mid-November weather can be quite unpredictable, and because of rain we couldn't do the outdoor stuff. His friends were all able to come (with the exception of one little guy that was sick), and they had a great time!

We try to remind Evan and Ryan to enjoy these years...in a very short time they could be living many miles apart...sniff, sniff...

Papa's girl...all the way!

Kaitlynn wasn't sure that she like the house being overtaken by boys...notice her dog tags and gold medal...

One of Ryan's many goofy moments that night...some great video that he'll be REAL proud of one of these days! :)

With Xavier...

With Matthew...

With Rodney...

With Zachary...

With Caleb...

Kaitlynn loves her Mama...

Zac in a zone...

Told you I'm not into cakes! Not to mention the fact that God forgot to add creativity when He put me together!

Mom and Dad with grandchild #1...

Happy Birthday, Ryan! We love you so much!

P.S. Ryan was born at 4:05 p.m. on November 19th. I think it is unique that he always makes a point of stopping whatever he is doing at 4:05 on his birthday to hug me and tell me that he loves me. I think he has an idea of what I went through to get him here! :)

Ryan was able to celebrate with Grandpa and Grandma Burley for a few hours the next evening. Thanks to them for babysitting while Greg and I did errands for the chicken dinner fundraiser!