Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Castle Rock Star Lighting Ceremony

During the holiday months the town of Castle Rock light a large star that sits on the top of Castle Rock. They even have a little Christmas festival during the day and then a lighting ceremony at night. Well, the Schmidts, Smiths, Tyson and Miranda and our family decided to go check it out. To be honest the night was a little anticlimactic and very cold. And I don't think I could convince anyone of them to return next year but at least we made a memory right?
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Melissa, Stacie and Tara

Claire, Stacie and Chloe

The Rudd Family, I am not sure what happened here...

The Smith Family + Chloe

The Schmidt Family

Brandon and Lexie (she'd had enough at this point)

Brandon and James wondering how they suckered into staying out there so long.

Melissa Chloe and Miranda in the background

Lexie and her crazy tongue

The kids checking out the live nativity

Top of the Rock Award

Jackson won two top of the rock awards at his elementary school this semester. One for art and the other for being an inquirer (I'd say he's been practicing to win that one since the moment he could speak) He was very excited. However, the moment was not captured well because I couldn't figure out what the girls did to my camera. But here's the blurry moment:

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Thanksgiving in American Falls, Idaho

This year we went to Grandpa Rudd's for thanksgiving. Brandon had his whole family there. Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and nieces. It was so fun to see everyone. We had 17 people in close quarters for almost a week. And no drama! :) What a great family!


Lexie and her newest cousing Adelle.

The whole clan: Adelle, Claire, Jackson, Lexie, Chloe, Ivy and Rose

Adelle, Lexie (thanking mary for putting adelle there -she LOVES babies) and Rosie

Jackson found a dead fish out in the rocks

Claire

Chloe

Brandon and Jackson

Jordan establishing the hierarchy

Ivy, Chloe, Jacksona and Claire

Chloe and Claire

Ivy, Chloe, Jackson, and Claire

Claire and Lexie

Sharon and the girls taking a nap -I think this is how we all felt at the end of the trip. Totally exhausted but glad to be together.