The Christmas Season...was busy

December was a busy month for us and it came on the heels of a busy fall.

The month ended with the wedding of Brett and Kymee.

On Christmas Day, mom and dad flew out for our Christmas celebration and for the Wedding. Shellie and Maggie flew in a few days later. Here, Maggie is getting pictures of our local wild turkeys that roam the area.

Christmas Morning, wasn't celebrated sitting around the Christmas tree opening presents, but we dressed and I into my car and Logan into his truck and we headed to Tyler and Chase's home. Logan was towing some wintery Christmas cheer for the boys. On Christmas eve he headed into the hills and loaded his trailer with Snow. His gift to the boys, was snow on the front yard.

LOVING IT!!!

Building a snowman, then karate chopping it down.

It wasn't the freshly fallin' snow, but with a little work and patting, the boys were able to get a snowman made, and lots of snowballs thrown.

Among the December birthdays we have in the family, Only Chase's had us over for cake and ice cream. (Happy Birthday to Eric and Jill, too...sorry you're so far away).

Earlier in the month, I had along conversation with Chase about his "Un" birthday he was going to have, apparently a sentiment of Grandpa Fink ingrained into Chase, the idea being to keep the Chase from getting any older. Therefore the"Un" birthday where we have cake and ice cream and gifts BUT do not 4.

For his Unbirthday Chase said he would like a Buzz Lightyear, and another Buzz Lightyear, remember Toy Story 2 has two Buzz Lighyear's. Unbeknown to either set of grandparents, we each gave him a Buzz Lightyear....Wishes do come true and Grandpa Fink let him turn 4.

Every year when we bring the nativity out, the boys love playing with it. I meant to get pictures, but didn't...after they'd leave for home, I would find the Baby Jesus in the wisemen's tent...it had a light in it and Chase found it more comforting to have a light on for the baby.

Tyler and Chase were highly entertained with the computer game Halli introduced to the family, the boys laughed harder and longer each time the "Block" fell from it's platform.

We wish you all a Happy New Year, may it bring us all peace, prosperity and happiness.

I'm so Thankful for...

I can't begin to express my joy and happiness at having everyone, I mean EVERYONE here this year, especially since I know that it will be many many many years before it happens again.

I enjoyed the house being alive with all the activity of everyday life. I loved having Miss Peyton come in every morning and tell me it was time to get up. I loved watching the cousins enjoy playing with each other and the running in, around and through-out the house. I loved watching Halli make card after card for everyone and for everything. She even made place cards for Thanksgiving dinner. I loved the deep conversations I had with Chase. I loved playing soccer with Tyler, even if I was the one chasing the ball constantly. I loved holding LaNae and listening to her hoarse little cry. I loved that Lexie and Peyton loved being held by their grandparents. I love love loved the "I Really love you" 's.

We were able to adopt Krista, nicknamed "Rapunzel" for a 2nd year in a row, and the kids loved playing with her, she was there to play soccer with, color and enjoy tickle tortures.

The house was in constant disarray, with shoes, toys and dishes at every turn. The constant trips to the grocery store and always being on the look-out for something to entertain the girls. The weeks activities included; the tractor races, playing soccer, walking Old Sac and a drive to San Francisco, the Santa Parade, spinning in the swings, and watching Halli's obsession with playing farmer when she first got here. Though we didn't get to the snow like April wanted, because there wasn't any, I enjoyed all the mundane, little everyday things that took place.

These memories will always be close to my heart, as our family grows and spreads out, these are my little treasures, the greatest gifts I've been given.

Till we meet again...

Family Photo Sessions

April wanted more than anything to have family pictures taken in the snow while her family was here, that didn't happen, but we did manage to do a "photo shoot" every other day.


All of our grandchildren, taken the day the girls flew home, in full sun. Peyton was not wanting to have her picture taken, her bribe ended up being very specific, not just a treat, not just candy, but Chocolate Candy....now we have a smile and cooperation.

Family photo shoot down by the river. Can't wait to see Kate's professional version.

Someone wanted Lexie sitting with Grandpa, but they didn't ask her if that's what she wanted...hence we have the picture below, which also shows baby #7.


Amazing that anyone with a digital camera thinks they're a photographer...but here's my shot at it.

Eric and Jill's family photos.

One afternoon April, Britt and I headed out to find some good photo shoot locations, these are the photo's I ended up with of Britt and April.

Thanksgiving Week - Tyler's last day of School

On Tyler's last day of school for the Christmas break, April, I and the girls headed out to meet him when school let out. They live right next to the parkway that leads to the school. After a quick run to Micky D's we headed back to the school for a game of soccer and a chance to run crazy on the playground.

Ryan and Kevin had fun tossing the ball towards Lexie as she was running, just to watch her be distracted from where she was headed and chase after the ball, where ever it rolled to.

Halli was into "exercising" she ran, did crunches, push-ups....even hop scotch.

Don't think it was really soccer we were playing, but kick ball, with two balls. Rules were made on the fly.
This little bug likes her picture taken but only when she's running away from you.

Lexie wanted to be one of the boys, sitting on a ball.

Tuckered out, I loved how he looked sitting against the post.

Visiting with Uncle Ryan.