JUSTINE TURNS 18

It is so hard to believe that it has been 18 years since we were blessed to have Justine come into our family. Although we were initially devestated when we found out Justine had Down Syndrome, we have since been blessed with joys, sorrows, struggles, triumphs, laughter (and there has been much), and love. She is stubborn and the next minute she can give you a huge hug.
Justine's posed smile!

Justine loves anything High School Musical, listening, singing, and dancing to all her Disney and other songs on her iPod, sleeping in, letting Mukwa (our dog) lick her face, Reece's, chocolate ice cream, coloring, rice, all kinds of meat, and sorting cards.

For Justine's birthday we played games and went to see High School Muscial 3 with her friends (Megan, Jessica Blair, Jessica Bate, Lauren, and Charity).







Some of her favorite phrases are:
* When asked what she is doing - "Noding." (nothing)
* When not in a good mood - "Don't touch me."
* When Lacie comes home to visit - "Wacie"
* When she gets a job assignment - "What?"






Justine's favorite place to eat her birthday dinner? Chilli's for steak and loaded mashed potatoes.

wii Love playing together!!

CHRISTMAS DAY 2008

As is tradition, the kids all slept upstairs in one room. They also come down youngest to oldest. Wow, Brock was not first this year!!!

It is so fun to have little ones for Christmas. Bo is loving it. Justine is thrilled with her High School Musical collection of bedding, pj's, door organizer, and CD.

We made room in the kitchen for riding new Christmas bikes. Isn't that what kitchens are for?

Our traditional Christmas breakfast of bacon, sausage, waffles, etc.

Rock Band rocks!!!!

Christmas Eve 2008

Lisa (Diane's sister), Rian, Loni, Hank, and Bo came all the way from California to spend time with their Utah family. We were so glad to have them spend some Christmas time at our house.


There was opening of pj's and some pictures. When we asked the kids to do a "Charlie's Angel's" pose, Justine suddenly jumped out in front and did her own pose. ???

Mother and Daughters Diane, Johan, and Lisa!
Mom broke her wrist the day before fending off an attacker that broke into her house (just kidding, but it sounded good, huh?)

I think Loni and Hank are finally comfortable with Mukwa, and she LOVES the attention (except when you poke him in the eye like that, Hank).















There were many battles fought and won. Rian and Lisa fight it out in tennis. Justine and Hank duke it out in boxing.

HONEY CHRISTMAS CRAZINESS

Everyone piled on for a train ride down the hill.















Of course we must look our best while playing in the snow (cousins Breanna, Mariah, Paige).

Our baby, Bo, from California didn't like being bundled up so much that she could not move so she watched from the car with her favorite Aunt Diane.


They finally got Justine to go down the hill (back right with Craig on the tube) only as that is where the car was.










There was a warm dinner waiting for us back at Grandma's. We entertained ourselves by hitting Wesley on the head with strategically cut paper rolls to play our Jingle Bells.

We love Christmas!!!

PUTTING UP THE TREE

Every year it is so fun to look through the ornaments from the previous years and recall all the fun memories. The argument was ended about who got to put the star on the top when it was decided that Justine would. To our surprise, Craig had Justine get on the stairs and hoisted her on his shoulders. She giggled so much she could hardly put the star on. We all laughed so hard too.


2ND ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD PARTY

We love having everyone in our circle take time out of their busy schedules to come for a night of food, fun, and friends. We played Christmas charades and did our white elephant exchange. The big long pj's with feet on the left were the big item last year as well as this year. Who would have thought?




JONES CHRISTMAS PARTY

We love getting together for the annual Jones get together. We had a great dinner, opened presents, and were delighted with the traditional "Oh, I just go nuts at Christmas" with the Sweedish accent and everything.