Favorite pics of '09

Of course it's hard to narrow down my favorite photos, but there are always a few that stick out in my mind and I want to share them one more time before we start the new year and a whole new set of memories.

The family at Alamo Square Park in SF:

Magically transformed into a Harry Potter family for Halloween:

Mother's Day at Gilroy Gardens:

Pa with half of his GREAT grandchildren:

Kai and Gavin, Fresno Temple explorers:

On the beach in Hawaii for Julie's 30th:

Kids going crazy for s'mores while camping:

Underwear helmets (Noah makes me laugh in this pic):

Zonked out on the couch-edited. I love his little bum in the actual pic:

Mia up on skiis in Don Pedro Lake

Kai's 1st day of pre-k:


Gearing up for 2010 with a new camera too. Nothing fancy, just updated from our *gasp* 3 year old camera.

Boo Hoo x2

I don't know why so many things go wrong right around Christmas? Our TV broke last week, luckily we got it fixed before our company arrived, but spending the $$$ for the repair HURT. That's sort of an insignificant detail compared to other things that have gone wrong. I was watching the news and saw many families being displaced because their apartment building was on a cliff that was beginning to crumble. Having to be evacuated from your home would be traumatizing and inconvenient any time of year, but can you imagine this time of year? Many of them have no where else to go and will now be spending the holidays in shelters.
Then my sweet grandpa got pneumonia and was in the hospital. He's out, but he's too weak to travel so his Christmas plans are canceled. We were really looking forward to spending Christmas with my parents who were coming to our house this year, but will now head in the opposite direction and spend Christmas in Arizona so my grandpa doesn't have to be alone. It was tough breaking the news to the kids who were really looking forward to Nana Carol and Papa Jeff. We are glad they can be with Pa, but are sad they won't be with us and will miss them A LOT! Merry Christmas to everyone, may your cars keep starting, your TV's keep working and most importantly may your love ones stay healthy and travel safely!

Christmas time is movie time

Ahhh, one of the many things I love about Christmas is all the movies. All the Christmas movies that get you in the spirit and all the new movies that come out in the theaters. I am really looking forward to Sherlock Holmes and dreading sitting through Chipmunks the Squeakquel (oh, yes on the top of the list for my kids). Anyway, I felt like posting my top Christmas favs!
Here's my top 5.
Nothing cheers me up like this movie:

Awesome cast, and great english humor that I love:

Wonderful movie that actually tells you the true meaning of Christmas:

Too many movie quotes to count, I love it:

My kids saw this for the first time this year and loved it. It's a classic, what more can I say?


Honorable mention:
It's always been my favorite version of Tiny Tim and Scrooge:

I just really like this one:

If you don't like this movie you are a grinch:


What are your favs?

Thanksgiving '09

With Christmas fast approaching I thought I'd better mention our Thanksgiving. Even though Sarah's wedding trumped Thanksgiving this year it was still a memorable day full of family and of course...food. We really enjoyed the 80 degree days, it made the beach and the park VERY enjoyable.

Wedding vids

I'm bummed I only got 30 seconds of her singing. I stopped the camera during the applause and meant to turn it back on when they started the next verse, but I got so into her performance I never turned the record back on and she was just gettin' warmed up:(

Also them gettin' down on the dance floor.

More from Sarah & Angelo's wedding

More pics for now.
I'll put the videos up next.

The happy couple:

Me and my grandpa:

Me and my siblings w/ spouses sans the newlyweds (sorry Maria I know you hate this one):

The first dance:

Papa Jeff and Noah toasting:

Even a daisy cake:

Father-daughter dance:

Mia's "Love Story" solo

Mia and teary eyed Auntie Sarah:

...and that's the ball game!

All 5 Billen kids are married off. We got married in our same birth order which in a family of 5 isn't very common. The other silly coincidence is that all 3 girls married boys with "A" names. Aaron (Julie), Adam (Whitney) and Angelo (Sarah). Plus both boys married girls with "m" names Maria (Ryan) and Monica (Rhett).
Sarah the baby in the family became a newlywed this weekend in a fun spirited wedding. She had daisies everywhere and it just seemed so friendly. Sarah wrote her own vows and they were amazing. Mia sang Taylor Swift's "Love Story" song and had the bride in tears and very nearly her dad as well (which you don't need to mention because Aaron will totally deny it). It was great being surrounded by family and just enjoying each other throughout the celebration.
LOTS of pictures so I'm going to add a few more every day instead of overwhelm all at once.

Poolside ceremony:

Matron of Honor, Whitney and Flower girl, Mia:

Family table:

9 years ago we were the newlyweds:

Patiently waiting for lunch:

More family tables:

The wedding party:

Really?!

I just planned my December and January calendars! I can't believe we've been in school for 3 months already. Is there another metaphor besides "time flies" something that implies time goes even faster than flying?

Season's over

Mia had a great soccer season. Her team had so much fun and became good friends in the process. She told her coach she'll always be a kickin pixie in her heart. I'd never seen a group of little girls so disappointed after their last game. They really love each other. What an awesome bunch of girls!

At practice:


Last game:



The only action shots I could scrounge up: