Christmas Day 2011

I'll admit I'm not really posting this until January 13th. But I'm going to backdate it to December, so I can find it more easily when I search for it years from now.

So let's all travel back in time... to late December, 2011!

Christmas Morning! Santa was hungry, having consumed several cookies and a full glass of milk!


Opening stocking stuffers.


Deacon is THRILLED with his new 5-pack of Sharpies.


And Maren is excited about her new Scotch Tape dispenser!


A new journal! She's been writing in it every day.


Whatever this rubber creature is, Deacon is happy to have it.




A big rubber bug. Ugh.


A gummi seahorse!


Deacon had three items on his Christmas list: A relief map of the world, a relief map of the United States, and a box of white cheddar Cheez-Its. Santa delivered Item #1 in a big way!




Closeups of the notes the kids left for Santa...




...and Santa's note to the kids!


Later that morning - church! Maren sang with the kids' choir. The parents enjoyed a primo photo-op.




Close-up of Steve's Han Solo in Carbon Freeze iPhone Cover. Because it's cool.


Maren!


The kids really rocked out, especially at the 3rd service (they sang twice, at the 9:30 and 11:30 services).


Maren again!


Later... what's Christmas Day without a nice foot soak?? Santa gave Maren her very own foot spa, and Jeni happened to have one as well, so with the nice weather and all, it was a perfect day to soak their feet.


Later in the afternoon... Christmas dinner! Jeni, Maren and Deacon enjoy tri tip, mashed potatoes, smiley fries and mac & cheese.


Maren opens a present from Jeni...


A matching roller skate "Best Friends" necklace!




Ally and Kathy open presents, too.


Deacon rips up paper and acts tough.


Trying to look like he's using the Force to levitate the torn paper.


Maren and Jeni got walkie-talkies! Now they can call each other from their rooms. The walkie-talkies supposedly have a 9-mile range, and so far they work great!


Happy Birthday Jesus!


Maren and Jeni, wearing their new matching jammies, use their new walkie-talkies.

It was great spending Christmas with our good friends this year. Looking forward to a happy and healthy 2012!

Status Report 2011

Here's the Alff Family Status Report for 2011!

When you click on it, you might have to scroll down a little bit to see the whole thing. Or right-click and save to your computer if you're REALLY obsessed with us and want a copy to save forever and ever.

We'll keep this up top through Christmas but regular updates will continue below. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2011

A few pics from Christmas Eve!

The prospect of opening presents puts everyone in a good mood!


Skittles from Grandma and Grandpa!


Because a couple dozen Uglydolls aren't enough... two more!


The kids plan 2012 with Maren's Angry Birds calendar!


She's always said she wanted an RV.


Deacon models his new Angry Birds iPad case.


Maren made a card for Daddy...


It's perfect!

Next up: a Christmas Day super-mega post. Happy New Year!

Maren's Christmas Service 2011

Just a few pics from the Pre-K - Grade 3 Christmas Service the other night.

It was impossible to get any sort of quality pictures from where we were sitting, so there were only a few that were up to our very high AFB standards. Here's Maren waiting to begin.


Singing...


Speaking...


Maren and Jacqueline with Mrs. B. after it was over.

That's it for now! Tomorrow's Christmas Eve already! Yikes.

Visit with Santa!

The kids had a nice visit with Santa on Saturday, December 10th. Here's the pic!

Christmas Card 2011

Thanksgiving 2011!

Apologies for the LONG delay in posting this. Here's Thanksgiving 2011!

Jana and Terri in the kitchen.


Jana and Derek prepare Turkey A.


It was wonderful and amazing having Jana and Phillip with us for Thanksgiving. We love them anyway, but honestly, it was like having someone from the Food Network there to save your Thanksgiving dinner. Here's Phillip prepping the Weber for...


Turkey B.

Derek and Phillip and Turkey B.

Meanwhile... cousins Ethan and Maren enjoy a book!




Then, Maren helps Auntie Jana make Pecan and Cherry Pies!


A nap for Ethan (and Grandpa?)




The table is set. The famous Rancor centerpiece...


...is ready for his close up.




The kids in Maren's room, pretending to be McDonald's chefs, making strange and unhealthy food.


Turkey A is DONE!


Ethan adds a vehicle of some sort to the food table.


Back to Turkey A. Comments from Derek & Terri included, "It looks like a real turkey!"


In fact, Jana so expertly kept the juices inside Turkey A that there wasn't much juice in the pan to make gravy! Fortunately, another Thanksgiving Hero emerged in the person of Velta, who knew how to make a delicious roux gravy using our limited resources.


The Rosses arrive!! Michael wears his traditional Thanksgiving shirt and albino ladybug tie.


Terri is thankful for Velta!


And Carol!!


Phillip carves Turkey B.


Jeni and Kathy arrive! (In the background, Jason and Deacon run off to PLAY IN THE DIRT behind the house, yes, right before dinner.)


Jeni and her delicious pumpkin muffins!


Ally promised Terri she would fight her for the mashed potatoes. Fortunately for everyone, Terri made a ton of mashed potatoes, as well as a large quantity of BACKUP mashed potatoes.


The annual pic of Derek and his plate!


Enjoying dinner!








Terri didn't get a chance this year to put together a written Star Wars quiz. So we asked only one question... and the winner was: JESSICA!


The prize: an R2-D2 snow globe!


The annual end-of-the-night Ross Family Photo.


...ruined by Deacon, as per tradition...


...and Maren too!

We have the best friends and family in the world, and we are so thankful for all of you!

There will be another update soon, really. Check back soon to see the kids with Santa, and for our annual brief year-end update!