look who's five months old!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope your holiday was fun! We had a fun time with Jerry's dad, step-mom, and brother visiting us for Christmas this year. Despite having a new camera, I didn't get very many pictures on Christmas morning - keeping Miles happy and Claire from opening everyone else's presents kept me occupied. Two funny things: On Christmas eve, we were trying to get the kids to clean up their playroom by telling them that Santa might not have anywhere to put new toys otherwise. Claire was not too concerned, because she said she already had presents downstairs under the tree. Darren's favorite gift from Santa was a SpongeBob Squarepants toothbrush. He found it in his stocking right away, and was so excited he failed to notice the scooter and racetrack Santa also brought him!

A proud moment for the Collingwood family

. . . too bad it's not in color, right? I should mention that in Darren's folder I also found a picture of Jesus on the water, saving Peter, who was just a head sticking out of waves.

So, we have been pretty boring lately. We went to the temple on Saturday and left all three kids with a babysitter for several hours. I was very nervous, but the babysitter did great! We also went to the ward Christmas party and the kids got to see Santa. We forgot to bring our camera. We saw "Frosty the Snowman" at the children's theater last week. We were also without a car for several days last week while Jerry's was in the shop. We were grateful for the beautiful weather so that we could walk to school each day (Darren rode his bike.)

By the way, we are getting ready to send out Christmas cards next week, and I realized I don't have all my Waco and blogger friend addresses. If you want a card, I need to you e-mail me your address to: michalann@byu.net

thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This is the second year we have done the Turkey Trot in Austin with my family. It was cold, but we bundled everyone up. We walked/ran 5 miles in 1:07:27, beating last year's time by about 5 minutes. It is a great way to start out the holiday. We have been so blessed this year with the birth of Miles. We are grateful for family, good health, our friends and the gospel. Happy eating!

Mr. Clean, A.K.A. Darren

For Family Home Evening this week, we took the kids out and picked up trash in a field near our house. Darren had so much fun doing it that he asks to do it all the time now!

For Deena!

Here is a picture of Miles in the outfit you gave him. It is seriously cute on him. I should mention, though, that it seems to inspire some major gross diapers, seriously! I was going to take a picture of him in it last week, but while we were at Hobby Lobby, he literally EXPLODED all over me, the floor, and himself (of course, I didn't have any wet wipes!) Today, I've been a little bit quicker! :) Miles is the happiest baby! He will smile and talk to anyone, including the phone, and himself in the mirror. He just likes attention. We love him!