Ready for a new year!

Will this winter ever end? This month has brought some great challenges to my family and we are all looking forward to the 'great thaw' and a fresh start to a new year.

Typical New Year Resolutions are taking a backseat to the prayers and hopes we have for getting well, supporting loved ones and making wise decisions.

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Dec 14 - Ryan's car accident (weather-related) totalled our car and we had to buy something else to replace it. Thank goodness there were only minor injuries and both him and Matt were ok!


Dec 20 - My grandfather has been diagnosed with rapidly spreading cancer and I drove through the blizzard to Aberdeen so that he could be home with us in the area. (That was a white-knuckle drive, each way!) We are hanging on the words and encouragements of the doctors for his treatment, and praying that God will help us through this time.


Dec 25 - Hannah developed high fevers on Christmas Day, upwards of 103.3 and spent the wee AM hours of Dec 26th in the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital ER with concerns of meningitis (!!) -- later finding out she may have a UTI. Thank goodness that she is ok and that her illness is manageable and not severe!


AND wrapping up our 6th week of sickness...but we seem to finally be on the mend there... fingers crossed!

The wonder of Christmas...

Oh, to be a kid again! I love seeing the joy and excitement in the kids' eyes as they watch the twinkle of the tree lights, anticipate Santa's arrival, bake cookies and open presents. Santa and all our family was extremely generous, as always, and the kids have mountains of presents to enjoy. Merry Christmas to all!

Silent Nights

With all the snow we got this past week, people have been staying home and as I was out enjoying the night snow, I could really appreciate a 'silent night' under the glow of the Christmas lights. I love these pictures for the memory they evoke.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EZRA JOE!

My nephew Ezra turned ONE this month!

He's such a sweet boy and really enjoyed his pirate theme party...not too big on the cake though.

Let it SNOW!

I cannot believe the snow we have been getting. Never in my life have I dealt with anything like this weeks weather. Constant snow, heavy winds, and extremely difficult driving conditions. I am truly an adult now that I feel the snow is more trouble than fun! We did get a chance to get out in the snow and play a couple days even though the kids have been sick for most of it. It surely will be a Christmas to remember, but I wonder if we will still have it around for a white christmas? Probably not, it would figure.

Mexico Vacation Pics

So I finally got these downloaded. My mom and I took a Mexican Riviera cruise in late October to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. It was a nice break from the kids and daily responsibilities, but I missed my family terribly and was ok to come home.

Taking in our new digs, on the balcony.

The streets of Mazatlan and the beautiful old-world cathedral.

Dining companion Kathleen from San Diego.

One of many beautiful sunsets as seen from our balcony.

Holiday Dinner with the Lamoureaux's 2008

Good friends, Good food & Good wine!

Every year we get together with our close friends, the Lamoureaux's, for a small gift exchange and dinner. Hannah and Kylie have a blast together and give us a glimpse of what we have to look forward to with these 2 as they get older - oh boy! They can be so silly together and the giggling!!

House of Sick

We cannot seem to get past the cold(s) that keeps coming through! One or more of us have been sick for the past 5 weeks! Currently, Jack is down. Check out this pic of Jack just waking up from a nap...and his kung-fu grip on Hannah's hair brush. It was his security 'blanket' while he was sizing up the day.

Hannah turns THREE!

I can hardly believe, Hannah is three years old! We celebrated with some friends and family for a Wild West theme party. Hannah got many great gifts and several horses, whom you know are her ABSOLUTE favorite. Many earned the name Dan and her spring-horse is now "Nick".

Uncle Jeremy, the rockstar of our lives.

Pin the 'stash on Cowboy Keyes!

BFF Kylie

Auntie Kristin and Cousin Ezra

Dad with Buddy

Hannah & Sara

Hannah's new horse 'Nick'

Seth's Holiday Sweater Party

Many of these pics need no explanation, or at least are open to your own captions...

Walk this way!

So our little man is taking his first steps and he isn't wasting any time. I think Hannah and her toys are a pretty effective form of motivation! Check out this vid. He is walking like this more than a dozen times/day in the past several days.

Santa Claus is coming to town...

We got to see Santa! The kids were very excited and not a single tear.