Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Alicia's Birthday Family Dinner

Gayle labored tediously all day on the 21st to prepare an awesome, delectable birthday meal for Alicia. Here are some photos to help you appreciate the spread:

Sweet potato souffle. Some like it with pecans, some don't. So Gayle prepared it both ways.

And here's the yummy broccoli casserole.

You've got to have fresh dinner roles!

And a tasty ham ties it all together

What's a nice Utah family dinner without Jello? Fruit in it makes it even healthier.

Alicia's favorite cake is a pineapple cake using a recipe handed down from her maternal grandmother, Martha.

Jared enjoyed the gathering, and assisted with the babysitting duties. You can tell how comfortable McKel feels in his arms.

Another of uncle Jared and McKel

The proud parents (and birthday girl)

Chatting with the other uncle - Shelby, aka "Chubs"

Grandpa Bryan at Avril's beck and call

The truly great grandparents. We also enjoyed the company of Robert, Kristen, Carly and Brandon Crockett, but lamentably did not capture them in any photos.

Avril really gobbled up the food on this occasion, much to grandma Gayle's satisfaction.

Granddad Spence lighting his daughter's birthday cake candles

Ali, pondering what to wish for

Success! Of course we didn't include all the candles this time.

McKel and December So Far

Much happened in December. Here's an early Dec. photo of Avril sitting on our sofa.

Nice tails, girl.

December 10th, a day later than the due date, Alicia was induced into labor.

The two moms.

It took a lot longer than expected, even after being induced. And Jesse had worked all night the night before this long day.

I didn't work the night before, but it was still long, so I rested when I could.

It was worth the wait. Here's McKel moments after birth.

Alicia and McKel united shortly after delivery.

The parents and newborn.

Grandma and baby

Great grandparents and the new addition

Avril, Jesse, Bryan, and McKel on the hospital sofa

Uncle Jared with McKel

Proud grandma Gayle

Shelby, showing his baby holding skills

The three Yarger men

Ali, Avril, Gayle, and McKel

The two Yarger sisters!

Bundled up for her first car ride, in this case home.

Carme gave Avril a tent, which I put together for her. It includes a sleeping bag and inflatable chair.

After a recent snow, Avril watched me snowblow from the garage steps. Gayle wrapped her up to stay warm.

I'm sure glad for modern snowblowers

We finally donated our flocked Christmas tree, which we purchased after it was used as a store display at Lumber City in Burbank in 1983. We got a screaming deal because it came with all the decorations as well. So it served us well for some 26 years or so. In its place this year, Gayle simply took our all-purpose evergreen tree that she uses year round (e.g., with seasonal decorations such as for Halloween and Thanksgiving) and turned it into a Christmas tree as well. The above shows it in its current incarnation.

Here are some decorations in the entrance area of our home

More decorations near the front door

As one goes up the stairs to our second floor

And the nativity set in our living room