New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve at our house usually includes junk food, games, and movies.  This year was no exception.  Danielle and I drove 25 miles roundtrip to pick up my favorite pizza.  Yes, it was worth it.  When we brought it in, Matt was shocked because he knew we didn't have this pizza place anywhere close to us.  We also had the traditional pizza rolls, hot wings, taquitos, and sparkling cider.  We had fun playing Apples to Apples, Imagine If, and Stratego.  I'm known loving to my family for picking out really lame movies.  The kids ( the older ones ) think I pick really dumb ones, or for a while it seemed someone died in every movie I rented.  This year Matt wouldn't watch it, so it was probably lame.  I, of course, thought it was a cute family movie.  I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's, and a most blessed 2011!

Buddies

You might wonder what a 16 year old and a 2 year old have in common.  You might be surprised to find out how much Matt and Josiah have in common.  Lamborginis, basketball, and Matt's Itouch to name a few.  Matt has been without his Itouch for a couple of months.  I think it was harder on Josiah than Matt when it got crushed by 8500 pounds of Ford.  They both are happy to have a new one!

Christmas Day

We always go to Brian's parents on Christmas Day, after we spend the morning at our house opening presents.  Brian gets us coffee every year on Christmas morning.  It's a real treat that we look forward to.

We had a wonderful meal and then opened presents.  The kids played Apples to Apples with Grandpa and then we watched a movie with him that had everyone laughing.  Then we went home and the kids played ping-pong and Imagine if.  We are thankful that we are so close to all of our family that we get to celebrate holidays with them.  Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  God Bless!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!  Christmas morning was a special time for us.  We read the Christmas story from Luke chapter two, and then we read our advent calendar.  This particular advent calendar tells the Christmas story spread over 24 days.  We started this tradition with this advent calendar on Sarah's first Christmas.  Yes, it has survived 20 years!  I collect advent calendars but this is by far everyone's favorite,(except maybe for Matthew, who prefers the one filled with candy)!  I pray all of you have a wonderful Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is always spent at my parents house.  This year everyone was there except Big Josh, Ted Dawne, Ella, and Lily.  Keeri made it home from South Korea.  My family hadn't seen her for about a year and a half.  Josh had to work.  It was our first Christmas without him.  We missed him, but he really seems to like his job so we are happy for him.  The kids had a great time. 

Christmas Youth Night

It was the annual children's program, and Timothy was the Chief Shepherd and Joshua was one of the wise men.  Timothy worked hard to memorize his line and he did great!  Joshua had to lay down his gift before Josheph, Mary, and the baby Jesus.  He also did well, especially since he doesn't enjoy performing in front of an audience.  Josiah opted out of the sheep role for this year.  There's always next year.

Casey

I think we wore Casey out.  This is how she looked soon after we got to grandma's house.  I think she saw all the kids and just decided to fake she was tired so they would leave her alone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  It's one of my favorite holidays.  We went to Grandma and Grandpa's.  There were 16 of us.  The food was great.  We had turkey, ham, potatoes, green bean casserole, corn casserole, cranberry relish, sweet pototoes, stuffing, and some other things that I am forgetting.  `I hope all of you have much to be thankful for.  I know I do.  God bless!

Danielle's Snowman Cake

Danielle decided to make this cake for Thanksgiving.  I think she did a pretty good job.  I hope we can keep Josiah out of it until tommorrow!

Matthew's Massive Fort

Matthew was in charge of Josiah while I was doing some stuff with the boys.  When I saw him walking down the hall with some blankets, I got a little nervous.  He made this huge fort for Josiah in the living room, and I mean huge.  It took up most of our living room.  To his credit, when they were done, he put away all the blankets and even vacuummed. 

Climbing the Walls Part 2

Josiah gets in on the action.  He thinks the boys are so funny when they climb up the walls.  Soon he will be climbing them, too.

Our Thankful Tree

Every year around Thanksgiving, we think about things we are thankful to God for.  This year some of the things on our tree are-the Bible, Jesus, animals, snow, God's beautiful creation, and family.  We hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving this year.

Go, Gators!

Matt has really enjoyed playing basketball this fall.  He is working hard to stay focused and listen to his coach.  It's a lot of fun to watch him play.  His is getting a lot more playing time this year.  This guys seem to really play well as a team.  Go, Gators!

Cooking with Gramma

We all love the Sesame Chicken at Safeway (except Matt), so we decided to try a recipe I found.  Many of the ingredients were foreign to me, so I called Mom.  She had all the ingredients that the recipe called for, so it was off to Mom's for a fun time of cooking and eating.  The boys helped for a while, they really enjoy cooking.  But Mom and I did most of the cooking.  The end result was yummy!

Climbing the Walls

Climbing the walls at our house takes on a whole new meaning.  The boys have been having so much fun just climbing the walls.  I guess it's like a playground inside.  They finished tennis for this term so this is the next best thing.  Matt had his first basketball game of the season.  He got a lot of playing time.  We think his height may have something to do with that.  Danielle will have her first volleyball game in early December.  She is looking forward to it.  Sarah, Matt, and Dani went bowling today.  They had a blast with friends from church and the school. 

Dinner at Jamma's

Happy Birthday Uncle Tim!  We had fun celebrating Tim's birthday at Grandma's house.  Josiah had fun playing with Grandpa Jack and raiding the snack cupboard.  Joshua had fun bugging Uncle Brian, as usual.  Poor Uncle Brian always gets picked on.  Someday maybe my kids will out grow that, but don't hold your breath Uncle Brian.

Losing Another Tooth

This makes a great picture, but it didn't come out like it looks.  You'll have to ask Timmy how it really came out.

Finally!

Josiah gets a haircut!  He actually sat pretty still for me.  One of the nice things about curly hair is that it can be uneven and it doesn't show.  Now he really looks like Joshua.

Josiah and Baby Jaguar

Josiah goes shopping with Sarah.  Baby Jaguar came along on this trip.  Baby Jaguar got his name from Go, Diego, Go!  I think he must be Diego's number one fan.

Tennis Anyone?

The boys have been having a lot of fun in tennis this fall.  Their coaches are terrific!  They may do basketball during the next term or we will keep on with tennis.  Noah and Timothy are in the same class and they are bright red in the face and sweaty when class is over.  It's really great exercise.  Joshua had four kids in his class last week, so he gets a lot of ball time and instruction from Coach Ivan.

Timothy's Highlight of the Week

Timothy got a new cookbook.  He absolutely loves to look through cookbooks.  He is also fond of Everyday with Rachael Ray magazines.  Maybe I have a little chef in the making.

Matt and the Purple Shirt

So here's Matt and his new shirt.  He likes bright colored shirts, but hates having his picture taken,  Eventually, he will learn that it's easier to give in to mom and smile than to fight it.

Noah

I started tennis this fall.  It's my first sport.  I'm having lots of fun.  I like to read.  Mom bought me a Hardy Boys book today.  I really like it so far.  It's so cool, it's The Tower Treasure.  Then she bought another one, House on a Cliff.  I can't wait to read it.  They are my first Hardy Boys books that I have read.  In school, I'm really enjoying History.  Today we went to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  It was fun!  I'm glad I live close to my grandparents.  Someday I want to play basketball or football.  It looks like fun.  Thanks for reading.  Bye-Noah

Another Busy Week

Well, It's been another fun and busy week.  Brian, Matt, Dani, and Noah went hunting.  Sarah had a birthday.  Noah, Timothy, and Joshua started tennis class.  Sarah went to Idaho again.  Matt made doughnuts(yes, doughnuts), and surprised his dad when he showed up at church in a purple shirt.  Wait 'til he sees the matching tie with it tommorrow.  Never a dull moment.

Timothy's Turn

I started tennis class today.  I had fun playing tennis.  I learned how to hit under hand.  My teacher is a lot of fun.  I am in the same class as Noah.  I also like to make pictures.  I think drawing is fun.  -Timothy 

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

We had fun celebrating Sarah's birthday.  I'm so blessed to have her for my daughter.  She is so fun to be around.  She is extremely helpful.  When she is gone, I remember how much she helps me without even being asked.  She had a good time in Idaho, but I am so glad to have her back.  Happy birthday, Sarah!

October Family Dinner

We had another great Family Dinner!  Mom always makes something yummy.  This time it was chicken enchiladas.  She made the enchilada sauce and it was fantastic.  I know it's a lot of work for Mom but it's fun to get together regularly with all of our busy schedules.  The kids always look forward to it.  When we pull up to their house, Josiah will get excited and start saying " Jamma, Jamma " , this means grandma and grandpa for those of you who are not fluent in Josiahspeak.

Sarah and Josh are the new "Oldest" at Family Dinner!  Sorry Keeri and Hannah.  You've been replaced as oldest!

Joshua's Perspective

Hi.  It's my turn to update our family blog.  I had so much fun camping.  I liked playing in the water.  It was cold.  I found obsidian, pumice and red lava rock on the beach.  The obsidian was my favorite.  The meals were yummy.  I toasted marshmallows and made smores.  I went on the raft.  It was fun.  I liked the chipmunks that came to our campsite.  They would eat crumbs we dropped.  They were so fast.  I went on a hike.  I led the way.  There was lots of obsidian.  I love camping!!!   Joshua 

Vacation

We had a great time at East Lake.  All the boys had fun in the water.  Joshua loved searching for obsidian.  The hike at the Big Obsidian Flow was a highlight for him.