Grandpa has the Golden Touch

Don' make a sound, we just got Ben asleep. Need we say more?

Happy Valentine's Day

We had a fun Valentine's Day. Jack and Brooke were spending the weekend with us (only afternoons) while their parents, Lyndsy and Stephen, were working. Ty, Megan, Scotty, and Ben came over to join us (Jack, Brooke, Grandma Jane, Amy, Scott and me), I was so busy with the meal and activities that I forgot to pull out a camera. Megan took one photo of the boys in the new Jazz uniform they got for Valentines Day (Grandpa Ritter). We didn't get a photo of Brooke in her first sun dress of the season. She looked so much like a princess that that is what she became for the next hour.

Athletic and Musical! Wow what talent.

Happy Birthday Darling Brooke

Brooke turned 5 years old January 29th. Where has the time gone. She is such a beautiful, bright, talented, happy girl. We are all so lucky to have her in our family. The following are highlights from her family birthday party.

Happy Birthday to Brooke...

Brooke opened a present from Aunt Amy. It is a Cake Decorating kit. It uses a loops and hooks method to make the decorations stick to the cake.

Grandma and Grandpa are going a little crazy with the baby dolls. They couldn't make up their minds on which one to give Brooke for Christmas, so they bought them both and gave one to her for her birthday. Oh my.

Mom and Dad gave Brooke the gift all 5-year-old girls dream of...Barbie dollhouse furniture. It will go well with the doll it came with along with the Barbie Grandma and Grandpa LeClaire gave her.

Aunt Amy and the Birthday Girl. This is the TinkerBell journal that Uncle Ty and and Aunt Megan gave Brooke.

It was fun to have cousins come. Aunt Megan and Uncle Ty were in Mexico, but Ben (breaking grandma's arms) and Scott were able to come 'cause they were staying with Grandma and Grandpa Ritter.

Scott Martin enjoying both remote controls. (Uncle Stephen keeps a few extras around that don't work just for this type of emergency.)

Grandpa Ritter (who provided the harmony during the Happy Birthday Song) and Ben and Scott Martin. Everyone is so happy to be at the party.

A birthday party is not complete without your younger brother Jack, right Brooke? Brooke was so sweet to let Jack play with her new Cake set. Jack was so happy to play with Brooke's gift.

Cousins Jack and Scott having fun together.

The sweetest part of the night is when Brooke opened the second gift from her parents and with sparkling eyes ran over and gave first her mom a hug and then her dad a hug and said, "Thanks so much for the presents and party." Wow, now that is a wonderful 5-year-old!

Jane Ritter's Birthday

December 29, 2010

Happy Birthday Mom!

Glad you could spend it with us this year. In early December, Mom came to Orem to stay with us for an extended time. She is very patient to put up with our busy, noise schedule and does it with a smile. We are happy to have her here. She adds such warmth and "texture" to our lives.

Christmas 2009

We started the night with a family dinner of ham, potatoes, turkey, stuffing, and all of the trimmings. Then Scott read the traditional "Christmas Story" from Luke.

Traditionally, siblings and cousins open their gifts to each other on Christmas Eve so that the act of gift giving does not get lost in the middle of Santa gifts. This year Lyndsy worked at noon on Christmas day so Brooke, Jack, Lyndsy, and Stephen opened from Scott and I on Christmas Eve also.

The first gifts of the night. Potato Heads for Scott and Ben.

Jack got a Duplo Truck from Ben and Scott.

Brooke was so excited to get a new baby doll and accessories for her.

Amy made an awesome "Welcome" sign for Megan.

Amy's tree ornament this year was none other than the Jonas Brother in a pewter heart.

Brooke got a "Flirty Apron" from her cousins Scotty and Ben. Lyndsy also got a matching one from Ty.

A Flip Video for Lyndsy and Stephen. Meg and Ty got a FlipShare TV (not pictured since we forgot to take pictures on Christmas Day).

Other photos on Christmas Eve:

Christmas Day

Talking to Geoff on Christmas Day all the way from Pau, France! The Best hour of the Holiday Season.

Lights at Temple Square

Stephen, Lyndsy, and family invited the rest of us to eat at Sweet Tomatoes and then walk around Temple Square to see the Holiday Lights. The food was yummy and the company great, but it was very cold and difficult to find a parking spot. The kids didn't seem to mind the cold and we all had a good time once we found a place to park.

Meeting at the Visitor Center to bundle up and get ready.

The Kids are so excited to get going.

First Stop, The Manger Scene