Josalyn and Levi Celebrating Levi's First Birthday (May).

Levi's First Swim

Alyssa's First Loose Tooth

Katey's Recital

2008 Christmas Letter

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting ting-a-ling too
It seems like lovely weather to write a Christmas letter to you!

The kids have been reminding me (since 6:30 this morning) tomorrow is Christmas Eve, which means, it’s past time for me to write our Christmas letter. Please forgive my tardiness.

Each year I am surprised how quickly Christmas arrives, and just like every other year I swear we are going to slow down and next year will be different. Despite last year’s resolution, 2008 was packed full of activity for the Tippets family. We spent the first part of the year tying up loose ends in New Jersey, such as attempting to sell our house, touring a few more sites in PA, seeing the Statue of Liberty, saying good-bye to Aunt Mechelle and our friends, and helping Derren finish his research project for Temple University.

In July we said “adios” to the Northeast and moved home to Colorado!!! We are now settling in Montrose, and love everything about it.

Derren opened his Pediatric Dental practice, Treasured Teeth in September and has been working full time advertising it. He has thrown an open-house, held a fund raiser pancake breakfast, handed out toothbrushes for Halloween (in a pirate costume), took part in two Christmas parades (our float won 2nd place in Montrose), held a luncheon for the Pediatricians in town, and has taught several dental classes for the schools of the area. I’m very proud of Derren, he’s worked so hard and is really good at what he does.

Katey (8), is still our little entertainer. She loves singing for everyone and being the center of attention. Being around Aunt Mechelle, the opera singer has inspired Katey to try to be in musicals some day. Katey started her first year of formal piano lessons this year and is doing very well. Please allow me a moment to brag… Katey’s teacher tells us over and over that Katey has learned her lessons faster than any of her other first time students. Katey is also in a clogging class and Girl Scouts. When she isn’t busy with classes and homeschool Katey fills her time reading. This year she has read 20+ children’s novels. Good job Katey!

Alyssa (6), has become Miss Moneybags. She is thrilled that Dad will hire and pay her for miscellaneous jobs at his office, and she can’t wait until she looses another tooth so she can collect from the Tooth Fairy. If anyone is interested you may purchase one of her pictures (she rarely gives them away now) for only $0.25 a piece. When Alyssa isn’t contriving ways to increase her nest egg you can usually find her drawing or writing poems. She is quite creative. Alyssa also enjoys singing, Girl Scouts, her ballet/tap class, smothering Levi with kisses, playing with her friends and sisters, and keeping her room clean.

Josalyn (4), loves life! She wakes up happy and smiling every morning. Josy is proud that she has started homeschool this year. She loves her ballet/tap class, singing, writing letters, playing dress up, putting on make up, and playing at Daddy’s office. Josalyn has curbed her curiosity bouts. We no longer find her gluing her eyes shut or shaving her lip, her biggest temptation now is food. It’s almost impossible to get her to eat a full meal, because she is constantly sneaking little tastes of whatever food she sees. Josy just informed me, “…and I sneak chips!” Good to know.

Little Levi (1 ½ ), is SO cute! He is adored by all of us. We get a kick out of how “boy” he is. He loves cars, dinosaurs, snow-men, ghosts, and anything else he thinks might roar. Levi loves to dance, sing Once There Was a Snow Man and Boo, Boo, Boo, bonk anyone within arms length on their heads, and laugh. Levi started walking in October. Mommy is excited that Levi will be starting nursery at church next month.

I have kept busy trying to help Derren with his business, keeping our blog up to date, guiding homeschool, teaching the 16-18 year old young women in our church, and being the Girls Scout Troop Leader for our girls’ Troop.

We wish all of you a peaceful and simplified 2009 filled with many wonderful happy moments.

Love,

Derren, Shauna, Katey, Alyssa, Josalyn, and Levi Tippets

Levi at the family visit day at dance class.

Forever November...

November is only half way over. I've done so many things I feel like I've gone through 2 1/2 Novembers! Below is a condensed version of this month...

Here is one of our "homeschooling moments." After I cut open this squash we found a load of sprouted seeds, the girls were quite excited (and grossed out) and spent the morning talking about our wonderful find.

Derren had a how-to-start a dental business course in Denver on the 7th, so the girls, Levi and I came along to see our family. We spent the first night taking Alyssa to the Emergency Room for a sprained arm.

We spent the next night helping Josalyn get over the flu.

Luckily we were still able to have some fun while we were in town. We went to the Denver Museum of Natural History (where we saw the dinasours "ROAR!!!")

followed by a night at Dave and Busters with Grandpa and Aunt Jackie.

While at the museum, we saw an exhibit about the evolution of man. Grandpa told Alyssa, "See man came from the monkeys." Alyssa said, "Maybe the men did, because they got all the hair." Ha, ha, ha! Good one Alyssa!

We also celebrated Derren's 34th (yes, he really is that old) birthday with a fantastic breakfast (made by Anne and Katey), and pumpkin pie with Elvis and Anne.

*

I had my share of the dental excitement last week. Derren had an emergency call and couldn't reach either of his assistants, so I got to sub in for them. It was hard because Derren had to do a root canal on a four year old. I wanted to hug the little guy the whole time. Poor thing!

*

Since I have so much time to spare (right!) I decided to volunteer to help at the Girl Scouting overnight lock-in last weekend.

The girls enjoyed a night of pizza, donuts, cake, singing (in the talent show), and roller skating. Katey and Alyssa were some of the all-night survivors! I have to admit, even though I no longer enjoy staying up all night, it was fun doing it with the girls.

*

Since we were all so well rested (wink) the girls and I had Girls Night Out and went to watch the ballet the following night.

I'll be posting again soon. We're going to Utah this Thurs. to see family and then Grandpa and Jackie will be visiting us for Thanksgiving. I'm sure we'll have some fun photos to share.

Have a yummy food filled Thanksgiving!!!!

Josalyn's 4th Birthday!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Family Night!

One of the things I missed most while we were on the east coast was our mountians. Since we have been here we haven't had enough time to enjoy them as much as we'd like to, but the times we have enjoyed them have been wonderful!Last week, we spent Family Night in Ridgeway around a campfire (which means smores and hot dogs!) and playing with Derren's telescope.

Our campfire preparation was very organized. We had workers...

A captain...

And an obeserver to make sure everything was "just right." We got a kick out of Levi's snow outfit. For those of you who have seen "The Christmas Story" it should bring back memories.

Being in the mountains is like happy medicine for Derren. It's nice to see him doing something he likes to do again.

Katey took advantage of the scenery and requested a photo shoot.

AND, as usual, I recorded it all. (-:

Treasured Teeth Grand Opening!

Once I unpack one more box and reorganize a few cupboards we will be totally moved into Montrose!



Our biggest happening this month was Derren's grand-opening.


Mom, Molly, Reuben, Elvis, and Anne came up to help us. Thank goodness!!! We couldn't have done it without them. Thank you guys!



Here's a sample of the day...




We had a bounce-house...


a dunk-tank...

hot dogs...

a treasure dig...

face painting...



a raffle (sorry, no pictures)...

and tours of the Treasured Teeth office.







This months other exciting events:



Alyssa lost another tooth! I guess we know what she'll be wishing for this Christmas.







Katey cut open the top of her head while jumping onto the counter to get a cup (those darn cupboards sure can be dangerous!), and Dad stitched her up.






The girls and I went to Beauty and the Beast with my Young Women.

Josalyn and Alyssa both started ballet and tap classes.

AND! Grandpa and Grandma Cox came to visit. We went to Ridgeway and ate at the True Grit Cafe which is named after the John Wayne movie that was filmed there. Levi made some tough John Wayne faces!

A peek at Montrose...

Welcome to Montrose!



I was recently told, "real trucks aren't bought, they're built." This must be the land of "real" trucks!
...and "real" trailers!

Here's Main St. at rush hour in Montrose.


Montrose people like everything in doubles...
double-wide trailers...
...double-long trailers...
...a double-lane McDonald drive-thru,
and "doubley" tall deer (the deer in the NE and Florida are as big as Coloradan rabbits)!

Some of the most beautiful front yards aren't the ones that are professionally landscaped.
Hm, plastic bags. Interesting way to keep the varments out of your garden.
This is one of my favorite homes in Montrose.



Just taking a stroll. I love it here!
You can't beat a day filled with wild flowers and homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Our state flower, the columbine.

Now that you've seen our travel brochure, we're sure you'll want to visit, so consider this an eternal open invitation! (-;