The end of the day, Christmas day.

Christmas with the Hill's

Hill family, Christmas day, 2007.

From Wendy Elise around the back: Wendy, Aunt Dedee, Andrew, Kyle, Daniel Collin, Josh, Abbey.

2nd. row from Katy Lynn: Katy, Mark Andrew, Uncle Mark (Kent), Kurt, Laura, Aunt Wendy (with the green shirt)

Front: DeeDee, Quin on lap, Grandpa Jack, Lynn, Justin on lap, Michael, Holly and baby girl Kennedy expected May, 2008, and Bob

Missing: Jordan and he was with his girlfriend Leah.

Christmas afternoon we had Christmas with the Hill Clan, and what a group we are! Sebastian Fowlks joined our family and he was able to click the picture and tried to make the little ones smile and look at the camera. Thanks Sebastian.

Grandpa and Katy always exchange special gifts. We've seen very interesting and creative gifts that only Katy and Grandpa could enjoy. But this year, Grandpa out did himself. Since Katy has followed in Grandpa's footsteps and is now teaching 5th grade, Grandpa gave Katy a keepsake album that was presented to him when Grandpa retired after teaching 6th grade for (about) 30+yrs.

Christmas with the Hill's

Grandpa presented Aunt Wendy with a special gift.

Christmas with the Hill's

Grandpa Jack brought all his old photo albums for everyone to look at and to divide up the photos. There was a photo/scrapbook from Granma Shirley starting when she was a little girl, which included sweet letters written to Granma Shirley (as a young girl), from her mom. (which would have been Bob's Grandmother). Pictures of Grandpa Jack running track, hurdling, playing football, etc. Plus all the pictures of the growing up years. It was a lot of fun, trying to figure out who was whom in the pictures.

Fun with Aunts

Working on calendars with Auntie Elena; pictures of the girls with gifts from Aunt Judy.

Strand's visit

Strand's came to dinner and for a visit on Sunday evening. It was very last minute and after and a bit of funny misunderstandings, we all ended up at the same house and food to eat also. After dinner we spent time talking, visiting and learning about all the strange things we had eaten (at other meals, not this evening's meal). Then before the Strand's had to leave we (well the kids) built a pyramid. Lots of fun.

A family

More pictures of the Allen Christmas gathering...

MaMa and PaPa decided last minute that they would brave the cold, arctic, non-golfable Chicago weather and join us at our Christmas gathering. We were so glad most of us were together. Julie and Freddie were in UT at the Air Force Base. We always tried to get a "MaMa and PaPa picture with the grandkids", the picture seems to be growing in number and height.



Dee's brother's family and mom and dad. Across the back Sean, Jacob and Ryan. Across the front, Mom, Dad, Rich and Elena.



There just seems to be a flurry of activity.

Abbey and Wendy got matching sweaters (you can still see Abbey's tag in some of the pictures). Dad loves yellow, so our girls were bookends that everyone wanted their picture taken with them. If you notice Sean is taller than both of his girl cousins.

Christ's Church Christmas Celebration

I guess this group picture was taken another day, during the Christmas season. Almost every family is represented by a least some of their family.


We had a meal together and then music and a play in the afternoon.

They're done!

Abbey designed (with the help of Josh and her dad) the inviations. Next took a lot of ink and paper, (thanks Uncle Rich), along with several trips to Hobby Lobby in order to come up with the final product. Then Abbey invited her bridesmaids (and an extra) to help her and Josh put them together, and I do think they have turned out beautiful. Thank you girls:
Jessica and Joanna Erber, Brittany Crist and Wendy (and Tessa too!). Also, Daniel was there to offer advice, be the entertainment and he also helped keep Justin occupied with other things.
Josh and Abbey, the invitations look great.

Snowball fight

New Year's Eve and Day

We were so glad to have Sandy and the kids with us, Allen, Aubrey and Jeff got stopped by an ice and snow storm, so we missed having them also. Hopefully another time!! We were able to have some fun on the sled ramp. Anna was all smiles, every picture we have of her while sledding. The above picture is four out of the five Crist kids, Josh is in the heap somewhere, for we can see his boots. Loads of fun for everyone.

Winter thaw

We have had a lot of snow, cold and ice, but this morning we woke up to NO snow at all. Which is odd, after so many days of snow, plus the kids were trying to go skiing on Thursday. So we'll see what the rest of the week brings. I snapped the picture of Bob grilling on the deck then snapped a picture of our thermometer for the outside and yes it was reading 14 degress.

December pictures

Just some pictures from December. Justin, Abbey and Wendy singing and playing at the piano. Justin on the guitar. Visit with the Yen girls. Justin practicing fishing.

Family and Christmas

Celebrating Christmas with the Allen's.

Celebrating Christmas with the Hill's.

Sledding update, again...

Bob and Wendy worked the entire day again, finishing up the ice skating rink. We just hope it doesn't thaw out by Thursday of this week. They had rolled and sprinkled the ice rink most of the day, but then the snow started coming and coming...so the ice rink was covered with about 5 inches or more of fresh snow. The snow was gorgeous last night and this morning. We've got the ice rink cleared again and the kids were making videos of the ride. I think they have as much fun making the videos as the actual slide.