Josiah's New Bike!

Monday of this week was a gorgeous day. That doesn't happen very often here in the winter. So, we took advantage of it. Josiah & I went outside to try out the new bike he got for his birthday. He was so excited. His birthday was over a month ago, but with all of the traveling & miserable weather, we haven't had a chance to go outside to ride.

This new bike is bigger than his last one & took a few tries to get him used to it...but he did REALLY well. This bike has breaks & he is trying to get the hang of riding & breaking. He had so much fun that we decided to go out again today & ride some more.

Thank goodness that the snow is gone, the fog has lifted & the rain has dried for a least a few days this week!

A January Christmas with Papa & Meme!

Yes, you read that correctly. We did not get to have Christmas with Dustin's parents until last weekend. They live on the other side of Snoqualmie Pass (a big mountain pass). The pass has been covered with snow, ice & then melted ice that was breaking away parts of the mountain. So, needless to say the pass was not passable. Ha! Anyway, the weather cleared up & they made it across to spend 3 days & 2 nights with us. It was great to see them again.

We, of course, had present time almost as soon as they walked in the door. Josiah dove into his presents & immediately wanted everyone to join in on the fun of playing.

Of course he didn't want to take a pause for a nap, but we all did anyway. I think everyone was tired.

We had such a wonderful time just sitting around playing with toys, talking, playing guitars & catching up on what is going on in everyone's life. On Friday night they even gave us a date night so we could have some quiet time & so they could have their JoJo fix. It was good for all!

Saturday then came, of course, & we had to say goodbye!

We had a great time with Papa & Meme & can't wait to see them again!

Go to the Head of the Class!

Tuesday, January 6th, Dustin began teaching at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. He was so excited to begin this new adventure. He is really a teacher at heart & loves to help equip new ministers as they go along their journey. His first class went very well & he is excited for the next one!

Dustin, we are so proud of you!!!

32 Candles!

Thursday, January 1st was Dustin's 32nd birthday! Yes, the world has been blessed with his presence for that long! :)

We began the day with a big breakfast & Dustin's favorite...cheesy eggs! After breakfast we had present time!

Josiah was ready for this part. He just jumped right in & started helping!

For a while there, we thought Josiah was thinking that these presents were for him...

until he started opening tools. Then, he knew it wasn't HIS birthday!

Here are all of Dustin's presents from Josiah & me!

For lunch, Dustin requested pizza & a movie on his new television. See how he is proudly showing off his remote!

After lunch we had a bite of Devil's Food Cake. YUM! When he asked for that, I kind of thought it might be my birthday, too!

Once Josiah's nap time arrived, Dustin decided to hook up his new X-Box 360 to his new television. I knew that was a mistake. That is where he spent the rest of the afternoon!

I finally dragged him away from his game long enough to change clothes & head to dinner. Some friends from church met us at Red Robin to celebrate. And yes, Dustin was serenaded by the Red Robin crew. The kids just loved that!

Happy Birthday, Dustin! It's nice to know that you now have 32 candles & I only have 31! HA!

Christmas Dinner!

Every year the Moody family (Dad's) come over to my parents' house for Christmas Dinner! This year was especially nice because we haven't seen my family for so long.

For years now we have a tradition of taking a picture with all of the cousins together. That has always consisted of Chris (brother), Dustin, myself, Tyler (1st cousin), Will (her husband), Bradley (1st cousin) & Mary Beth (1st cousin). Well, now we are having children of our own & wanted them in our picture as well. Dustin & I have Josiah. Will & Tyler have Madison & Walker. Will was sick on Christmas & couldn't attend, so he isn't pictured.

Madison, Tyler & Walker at Christmas dinner!

Our family at Christmas dinner!

Josiah had a great time playing with cousins. The last time we saw Walker, he was about three weeks old. These two really enjoyed playing together!

But of course, Josiah is a ladies man & wanted to also play with the girls. Pictured here is Mary Beth, Josiah & Madison!

Here is the Moody clan. My Dad, Aunt Faye & Uncle Scott (from left to right). My Aunt Luann & her husband, Bill, were also not able to attend this year.

What a wonderful Christmas dinner! Special thanks to my parents who hosted this wonderful gathering. My Mom outdid herself with all of the cooking. Yum!! The diet has already started!

Christmas Morning!

Christmas Morning is such a fun time in the Moody house! My family all seem to enjoy giving gifts more than they do receiving them. So, the party was on. Since we only come every other Christmas, they chose to spoil this Christmas since we were with them.

Josiah has become quite the movie buff. One of his new skills is moving quoting. He has quite a talent for it. So, he got two new movies for Christmas!

He also got a pirate ship to go along with his new pirate movie.

Books are another favorite of Josiah's...especially the Bear books by Karma Wilson.

Josiah thought it was so cool to get new firetruck rain/snow boots.

Showing off his new pajamas & boots! Cute!

One of the best moments of Christmas morning was watching Dustin open his gift card for a new 42" flat screen television. He was SOOOO thrilled!

One of Josiah's favorite gifts was the cars from the movie "Cars!" He has played with them constantly since Christmas morning.

Josiah's Christmas gifts from us!

Josiah's clothes from Granddaddy & Grandma!

Josiah's toys from Granddaddy & Grandma!

Dustin's gifts from Granddaddy & Grandma! Notice the gift card & TV picture at the bottom!

My gifts from Granddaddy & Grandma!

My clothes from Granddaddy & Grandma!

WOW! Santa Claus really DID come to town!!!

Christmas Eve Traditions!

Ok...now if you look at these pictures closely, you will see TONS of presents. You may wonder why these presents were given on Christmas Eve. Well, that explanation is two-fold. My family hosts Christmas Day Dinner for the entire Moody family (Dad's). My Mom works the entire day to cook all of the food for this wonderful feast. So, we decided to give her a break from rushing through presents & enjoy some of them the day before. The other reason is because my brother LOVES present time. He is such a gift giver & can't stand the wait. So, we decided years ago that everyone would exchange presents on Christmas Eve. Siblings, husbands & wives, children to parents, etc. Dad & Mom would always give each of us a pair of pajamas on Christmas Eve & that was it. Then, on Christmas morning we would only open the rest of the gifts from Dad & Mom & Josiah would also open gifts from his Dad & Mom. So, we get to celebrate two days in a row.

The festivities began with Josiah, of course.

He was so excited because he had Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper. I think he thought the paper was the gifts. He was so excited to go from box to box to box.

Granddaddy & Grandma gave Josiah him a pair of pajamas & Chris bought all of the rest of these toys for Josiah. Yes, he was spoiled rotten by his Uncle Chris.

Then, Dustin & I began to open our presents.

I received an iPod & an iPod docking station from Chris!!! WOW! Shocker!!!

Then, Dustin opened his presents & he got an X-Box 360. Can you believe he did all that for us??

We were both spoiled rotten...just look at the loot.

After gifts were opened & naps were taken, we headed out to Outback for dinner.

That has also become a nice Christmas tradition.

After all day in the kitchen prepping for the next day, we treat Mom by taking her out of the house to a nice meal SHE doesn't have to cook.

Once we return back to the house, we all sit in the living room to hear the Christmas story read from the Bible. That was always my Dad's job, but since we have a little one, he passed the torch to Dustin. We read this year from Josiah's new Bible.

Then, Chris hops on the piano bench & we sing Christmas Carols until either we are sung out, bath time arrives or Chris' fingers hurt. This year I think they all three came about the same time. What a wonderful Christmas Eve that will be remembered forever.