Duree 2010 Christmas Party

I am still learning the ins and outs of blogspot i reversed the order of our nigh there so from last to fist heres the reel...

Savanah Ray, adores her uncle Dan, as he indulges her to wear her new earrings she just opened from our gift exchange. She is so adorable. What a good sport he is.

Corban, silly with receiving his gift from Grandma Bonnie, and Papa John.

Here are the Grand children and Grandma Bonnie with their new sweaters and the story Grandma read to them about receiving a Christmas sweater. Becca, John, Savanh, Bella, Ethan, Jadden, Mason, Azure, Corban,Gwendolyn, Ava is missing from the picture, I think she was sleeping.

Grandma, reading her Christmas story to the children. I love that she does this tradition every year. I will probably do it with my grand children. Don't you love her festive socks, too cute!

The kids after the story and a song or two. you have to look closely to see Gwen's big lip puckered out. She was upset because she was made to sit there. Silly girl, she does not like being made to do something thats not her idea. Do any of us? She shows a face of hey I a person, too. I want to make my own choices. She has been so grown up this way and many others since she was born.

Here is Linda Duree's sister Gina, her husband joey, and Elijah, their little one. They got to be at our Christmas party this year. I gave joey a festive Santa beard. I really don't know him well enough to mess with his face. But hey I just could not help myself I wanted to use that feature:0) I believe we are lucky to have extended family who wants to hang with us all on this special time of year. Ed's mother was also there but I did not get a picture of her. She is very sweet and like I said an honer to have extended family to join us.

Bella Bella, with her sweet self.

Ethan and his creation.

Corban, most defently naturally takes after his mother.

Becca Joy working on her tree creation.

Me, helping Corban, notice my hand on Gwendolyn's head. She had to be near with the full house of people there at the Horten's home. Thanks Horten's for hosting our Christmas party. We will look forward to coming again next year.

Aunt Jen, Savanah, Bella, Azure, and Ethan.

Aunt Linda's hands give directions to the children on how to build ginger bread house trees. i love this shot because I am fond of hands. It makes me think of my Grandma Fred, specifically his funeral and how his hands where talked about and mentioned for all they did for all who was there. And this is what aunt Linda is doing here for all with her dry cracked and have bleed hands that she serves so many with. thanks for the fun activity aunt Linda and serving us with your hands.

Group shot of the kids getting ready to build their houses. With aunt Linda's direction.

A shot I got of my two girls, threw out the night. (This was intended to be the first picture of the blog roll, how embarrassing.)

Christmas morning

Santa gave us a magical Christmas this year. The kids have been good. It was so fun to hear Azure wake up Christmas morning run downstairs then run back upstairs announcing there was presents under the tree.

Gwendolyn's second Christmas with us, this time she was quite animated by all the excitement from her brother and sister. Our morning took extra time from opening presents to stop and make breakfast so she could eat. She did not get the hang of how to open presents till the end. Santa helped by leaving some presents for her that where unwrapped.

Azure loves littlest Pet Shops and was so happy to add to her collection. She looks so much like her sister Rachel in this photo. I did not see Rachel at seven but I bet they look a bit alike. I think it's in the eyes and hairline, and face shape.

Corban is too cute, with all his wild expressions. He loved his batman mask and costume not shown here. He is so much fun for his sisters to have. And, thank you grandma Bonnie for his Christmas Pajamas he kept them under his pillow ready to put on Christmas eve. He was so excited to wear them.

My children are such a joy, I loved seeing them so happy. They got everything they wanted except DS's. They are saving their allowances for them. They love each other and I am glad they have one another. We do not plan on having any more children. Corban talks about the baby boy who is coming sometimes. He is not ours to have. I know my heart tells me to give more to all my children they need me and I want to be here for them. To stretch to meets what ever needs of theirs I can meet. ?It is a joy it is to be a mother, a treasure that gives continually. To see their lives effected by the choices I make, big and small. I plead often with my father in Heaven for help me do this daily. And I know he is, helping. Just look how happy they look.

Thank you, Santa. For the Dinner, the Gifts, the company, the feelings of JOy. Our family thinks you are the stuff dreams are made of!!

Happy Birthday Amy

To my daughter Amy;

whom I know belongs to another mother. I am your mother too. I am your birth mother. You turned 13 today. Such a big age. Big, I mean big. Lots going on for you. I would love to see some of it. I would love to meet your friends. To have lunch with you and watch you move and walk. I hope you are eating healthy, making good food choices. This is difficult for anyone at any age yet so important to your body. I hope you are taking good care of your body. Making good choices for it, keeping it clean and thinking about the future and what you may want to be able to do. Our bodies take us where we want to go and whatever we do we tend to use our minds, hands, legs to do so. I hope you are practicing listening to your own voice in your mind.

If I could share with you, I would about how your Mind is so valuable and how much you can do with with it.

I would share with you all I believe in and I would listen to all you believe.

I wish you the best 13th year, you can possibly have. Mostly, I hope for you to smile as often as you can, to laugh with joy as often as you can, to feel happy everyday, to exercise your body and your choices to feel the powers you have and wield them wisely.

I wish I could share with you the lesson I shared with Azure today. About as a girl you have power that will effect so many as you grow and become a Mother you have the power to bless. She is a little young to understand still, but I tell her these things now just in case there may be no other chance.

I wish I could share with you Amy or as I think of you, my Coco. I love that you are part of my story. I am awaiting to hear your story and wish you ink of creative powers as you write yours everyday.

Your Birth Mother, Elaine Wagstaff Duree

Gwendolyn and Dan Shared their Birthday in October

Gwendolyn Turned 1 in October, she shared her first Birthday party with her Daddy who turned 33. the party was held at Laumeier Sculpture Park. I am trying to create multiple family memories at this park. Dan and I had our wedding engagement pictures taken there I had Maternity photos when I was pregnant with Gwen taken there. This was our first party held there. It is a Art Sculpture park. It is so fun to visit. We still have not seen it all.

Here is Gwendolyn with her friend Charley, she moved away to UTAH. Charley's costume is so cute, her talented mommy, Stacey Johnson made it. Gwendolyn was a penguin.

A Bee and a Penguin. Two two toned animals. I am in the picture below, I was Cleopatra or someone from Egypt.

Dan with Corban holding out their rings, Corban learned that Flash and Green Lantern are good friends. The education given by a father can never be belittled when Super Hero's are the topic. Gwendolyn receiving kisses from Grandma Bonnie who came as Little miss Muffet. Azure was a Cheer leader she was going to go as;

Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte of France who is the daughter of Marie Antoinette.

She said the costume was itchy. We had a great time dressing up and where so excited to see many of our friends come in costumes. Cousin John, was a S.W.A.T team member.

Our good friends and neighbors the Johnson's made an appearance. They have since moved to Utah, we still can't get used to them being gone.

The birthday boy and girl look smashing together.

John and Corban, are too cute these two adore each other. It is fun to watch their relationship. John would love to have Corban as a brother. They are cousins which will have to do. I love how Corban has just tuned his eye part up on his mask.

This is just part of the kids, they are so cute all dressed up for the themed party of Once upon a time. . .That interpreted to be just about anything. Azure is holding Gwendolyn and her friend, Rachel is holding her little sister, Harper. I remember the first day of first grade when we met Rachel, she was sad and I told Azure she should make friends with her, and help cheer her up. Her sadness lasted one day only, shes so friendly and talkative I will never know where that sadness came from. We also are oh so found of the name, Rachel. Daniel's daughters name being Rachel, and we love being able to speak her name in our home as often as possible.

I think about Rachel Lynn, and how she is six years older then, Azure. And how, Azure is six years older then, Gwendolyn. Six years is significant to me because I am six years older then my little sister. I still remember the day I decided to make my little sister, Joy, my best friend. I am so grateful the thought came to me. I exercised my power and chose to befriend her. Perhaps that may be a secret to meaningful relationships, a choice to exercise.

(a little off subject rambling here)

Our good friends Vicky or Yixiu Gong and Chang Yang came. They are always Fun to see and support our little family with much that we do. They get a kick out of watching us Americans celebrate our customs. They have been our neighbors for the past three years, and are now moving to Fenton where they bought a house, we are happy for them, and will continue to be great friends always.

Thanks for all who came to make the memory with us. Those who did not we will look forward to making memories with you.