The End of Another Wonderful Year

With a new year quickly approaching, I thought it was a perfect time to post some of this years magical moments...

Bailey was in her first dance recital...Dancing Through Time.

A trip to Lake Havasu brought Bailey and Tessa back together again...

and my brothers, their wives, my mom and I all had a wonderful dinner together.

Bailey had a great first day at Wee Care Pre-School...next year it's off to Kindergarten!

Our Annual Shaver Lake Camping Trip with the DeVaney, Fabrie, Wadsworth and Gilkey families.

We had a wonderful time visiting the pumpkin patch at night this year.

Troy coached Bailey's soccer team for the second year in a row...Pizza Factory Hot Pepperonis.

My friend Carrie's sister, Tami, walked in the 3-day Breast Cancer walk and we went down to San Diego to cheer on the team...as Carrie put it "a nice period at the end of a very long sentence."

It was a very emotional yet such an amazing sight to witness. What a journey this has been for our dear friends, The Gilkey Family.

Our family had such a blessed year and we only hope the same for 2009.

Happy New Year To You and Yours!

December Highlights

December brought us many fun activities and took us from Ojai up to Oakhurst. The girls had a great time with Garrett and Collin on Christmas Eve...

we made gingerbread houses at Grandma Robin's house (can you guess which one is Bailey's?)

Corcoran's Annual Christmas Parade...BRRRRR. Baby It's Cold Outside!

The Girls received a new table hand-painted by yours truly (and Carrie)...

and they got new babies...Annabell and Pearl.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

1st Annual VanVelson Caroling Party

In the spirit of tradition, we hosted our first annual Christmas caroling soiree. Family, friends, and neighbors gathered to spread some holiday cheer. Guided by these printed song books, we toured around town singing to the tune of... mom's rhythmic guitar... (would you look at her creative source of light?)

We all cozied up in the bed of a luxurious hay-filled trailer.
We kept warm by filling our mugs with hot cocoa...yummmmm-o!

The night would not have been complete without a visit from good ole St. Nick!

A good time was had by all...