Happy 2010!

We had a great Christmas and a great New Years! As you can see- Christmas Eve we had the missionaires over for dinner and then some friends of ours from our ward joined us for dessert. After seeing everyone off, Taylor sprinkled reindeer food out in our front lawn and she anxiously awaited for the arrival of Santa. I love having Christmas with my kids...it really is a magical time of the year... when they hope and wish for such insignificant things... we as adults wish for health and secure jobs. Oh the good ol days! Christmas morning was fun as it always is and the missionairies were back to eat breakfast and spend the early part of the day with us. In the afternoon we went to see "Avatar" which was awesome! (our new tradition since moving out here is to go to a movie on Christmas Day) Our kids loved it! The next day... I went back to school and life went on. Weird that our school wouldn't close. Then Monday night of this past week Adam got a wild hair, booked the Hilton in Marco Island Florida and Tuesday (after I went and took a test at school) we were on our way! We had an amazing time... sigh! I want to do that EVERY year from now on. Our friends were down the road at the Marriot so we joined them daily since their hotel was more kids friendly with activities, crafts,water park with a slide.. you know... more fun stuff. Our hotel seemed more adult friendly. So New Years eve we had dinner there at one of the restaurants and by doing so we got free admittance to either an adult bash or a family party with a dj and free pop. So- we took the kids and partied for 2 hours. It was fun to watch Taylor and her friend Ellie (daughter to one of Adams co-workers- the little boy in the pics with Kenz and me is "JB" who was adopted last Dec from Ethiopia and he is adorable!) -dance their feet off and Parker too! I was shocked that Parker even lasted that long! We had a great week even after the weather turned cold. You can't tell but when we were on the beach it was super cold! The pic of Parker and Tay in the pool was takin on the same day- it was so cold but we Wallicks know how to party! Later that day we drove into Naples- went to the pier-walked around their 5th Ave and had dinner at Cheesecake Factory. It was a great week but... alas... all good things come to an end! Ha- now we are home and just sent the missionairies back home as well after a great FHE. Taylor was in charge and her lesson today was about Matthew 25:1-13- the parable of the 10 virgins. Elder Clark gave his scripture from Alma 5:28. Then Makenzies thought of the day was taken from "Stand a little Taller" by Pres Hinckley for this day of Jan 4th. You know what? With out anyone knowing what the other was gonna do - it too was about Alma 5:28! So the lesson tonight... is be prepared for the day when Christ will come again. We all agreed that Heavenly Father definitely had a hand in tonights lesson since pretty much the same message was given without anyone telling the other what was prepared before hand. Taylor had made a "vessel" out of salt dough as her oil lamp and held it as she taught us the parable. So cute. I wish you all a very Happy 2010 and may we all think about way we can prepare ourselves and our families! Love and Hugs-