Enjoyable Times

It was a sister-in-law day, ending with some games and laughs. Josh's sister has always wanted to take me and Ashley, my other sister-in-law, wine tasting. So with the holidays here we decided it would be a wonderful time to have a get together and enjoy each others company. Tamar took us to the Tri-Cities area and we had a great time.

Once we were done with our wine tasting, we headed back to her house where Brian made, once again a very delicious dinner for all of us. He even made a scavenger hunt for the boys and a theater room where they had to have a ticket to watch the big movie. We all had a lovely time and enjoy spending time with them as much as we can.

Thanks Uncle Brian and Aunt Tamar

Dad and Mom did it again

For some reason my parents always know just what to get for their grandkids. This year they nailed it right on!! Winston and Hans are really big into the movie The Sandlot. They run around here at home everyday playing baseball and going through their closets trying to find clothes to make them look just like Bennie. They had everything they needed except for the catcher's mask. So when asked by Santa "what do you want for Christmas boys"? Of course they asked for a Catcher's mask. Well it almost came from Santa but they had to wait all day to get it because Grandpa and Grandma had the mask and the helmet for them. By that night I was trying to figure out just how I was going to get them to go to bed without the helmets on their heads.

So with the boys completely happy about the helmets next came Alyee's gift. I wasn't sure just what mom and dad had come up with for a 1 year old but boy did they come up with something WONDERFUL!!! I know she is their special sweet little granddaughter, that they worry about all the time since she has two older and very ruff big brothers, but all three of them are special in their own little ways. So what did they come up with for sweet Alyee Jo, just see for yourself.

Alyee's Rocking Horse made by Grandpa Tom and Grandma Sharon

I was speechless when Dad brought in Alyee's Christmas gift. It is absolutely amazing and I 100% believe my dad could make a living with making things from wood or metal. I am so impressed by the work both my dad and mom did on this rocking horse. As you can tell Alyee loves her horse. Thanks dad and mom you made Christmas extra special for our children.

Meet the Band

For Christmas the boys and Cousin Hayden all got music instruments. My sister-in-law made a very good point, she only has 1 boy and that means only 1 instrument goes to her home. I was lucky enough to have two boys who each got their own way to make music.

Winston on the Drums

Hans rocks it on the Guitar

Look at them go with Cousin Hayden

Merry Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year. The only thing that was missing was SNOW!!! We hope everyone else had as wonderful Christmas as we did.

Too Much Fun

It was a trip like no other. We headed over the mountain and enjoyed a GREAT weekend at The Great Wolf Lodge with some dear friends. It was a trip full of fun, snow, Seahawks and of course Santa!! I don't know of any other indoor place that makes it snow after a live story time with animated characters. It truly was amazing!!

We enjoyed a great indoor water park, which the kids loved!!

That evening all the kids got a chance to visit with Santa.... and Mrs. Clause! I only wish Alyee had enjoyed it as much as her brothers. Maybe next year.

We said good-bye to Daddy Sunday morning while he went and enjoyed the Seahawks Game with his buddy Brent. Deidra and I had a stress free day at the mall and 4 kids. (Ya Right)!!!

Thanks Brent and Deidra, it was an amazing way to start our Christmas Holiday and can't wait to do it again.

A Day for Music

What a wonderful day it was, being able to enjoy both my boys and their classmates perform their Christmas Programs. The sound of children singing is absolutely a heart felt sound. It brought joy to my ears.

Hans Preschool Program

Winston's first Kindergarten Program

It SNOWED!!

Tuesday morning when the boys woke-up Josh told them to look outside. They both looked at each other and then yelled "Mom it snowed"! Thanks to the snow, Winston got a 2 hour late start and preschool was canceled for Hans. So with 2 whole extra hours the boys couldn't wait to get outside and enjoy some of the fresh snow.

They even took turns pushing each other down our hill

Sunday fun

The kids and I usually spend our Wednesday's and Sunday evenings at Grandpa and Grandma's while Josh is off playing basketball. This past Sunday the boys got to enjoy the evening by helping decorating their Christmas Tree.

After enjoying some cookies and milk, the boys schooled Grandpa and Grandma at football. The playroom makes a great space for games that should be played outside to be enjoyed inside.

The Wanna Be's

What a great night but late night we had at Lyndsy and Ashley's. When you are ready for bed around 9pm, midnight is extremely LATE!!!! We spent the night rocking the Beatles on the wii with Josh's brother and sister and their spouses. I must say it was a ton of fun and can't wait to do it again. It's always a treat to spend time with the 4 of them since we don't get to all get together very often. Thanks guys it was terrific.

Show your Creativity

This past Saturday the Roberts family gathered on the farm and did the famous cinnamon ornament decorating. It was so much fun and is something they have done for several years. Family being together is what I love about the holidays. Good times and lots of laughter.

The talents God gives us

Growing up my dad always made us a wooden toy for Christmas. As a child, you don't fully appreciate the thoughtfulness or the time that is put into such a gift. Now that I'm an adult I am so thankful that I'm being able to teach my kids just how meaningful a gift homemade is. God gives us such wonderful talents, and for that I am so thankful my dad has the one he does. He does amazing things for our children.

When each of our boys where born, my dad made them a car with all their birth information.

Three years ago my dad surprised the boys with this completely over the top toy box.

When Alyee Jo was born I was most curious to see what my dad would pull out for his sweet granddaughter. Of course, he went above and beyond.

We are all waiting anxiously to see what her toy box will look like. He said he needs about 2 years before he can have it done. I'm pretty sure it will be worth the wait.

You are the best dad, and we love both you and mom very much. Thank you

Need for Speed

Today when I got home from picking Winston up from school Daddy had a little surprise for the boys. He had both their 4-wheelers out and ready for some racing. It was a pretty nice afternoon here at home and due to all the really cold weather the kids hadn't really been able to play much outside, so this was very much needed. I was beginning to feel the cabin fever setting in on all of us and a little fresh air was exactly what we all needed. Plus it's a lot of fun to watch them race each other.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

It was a wonderful Sunday spent with my family. We didn't get a lot done but what we did get done was plenty. Finally, the Christmas tree is decorated and the stockings are hung. It was a great day!

We always have fun

This afternoon I just couldn't help myself when I notice the kids enjoying some smiles with each other. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do.

All eyes on me

For some reason little miss Alyee has a way of getting all eyes put on her. I'm not sure how she did it, but she has her Uncle Jacob and Grandpa Tom wrapped around her little finger.

Family Fun

You know Christmas is almost here when you find yourself sitting around a table playing Pinochle. We had a wonderful day and evening this weekend with Havila's parents, dinner, cards and laughs it just doesn't get much better.

Our baby girl is 1

It's so hard to believe that our sweet little girl is already 1. We had a wonderful family gathering to celebrate her birthday.

She wasn't sure what to think about her cake

But by the end of it, she loved it!!!!

and loved it

Who says girls can't get dirty

Well when you spend 5 hours on the beach a little girl is going to get bored and want to get down and play... so she did. The boys and her had a ball playing in the sand and water. The after mess was a whole other story.

Turning 4

Hans was the lucky 4 year old who got two birthdays this year. Due to us being at the ocean during his actually birthday we threw him a family birthday party before we left.
Yes that's right, he is a huge Seahawks fan and when asked what he wanted his cake to look like he said "a Seahawk cake". I went into panic mood and then realized Josh has one of the craftiest sisters ever. So thanks to Aunt Tamar, Hans got his Seahawks cake.

Oh ya, did I mention she did it all free hand.

So, with birthday 1 out of the way we went for birthday 2 on the ocean. And when I say the ocean, I mean the ocean! We did beachfire with hotdogs and followed with candles and cake. Candles where a little interesting and ended up being blown out in the back of the car, but it worked. Hans had a wonderful 4th birthday and it was so enjoyable to see him all smiles.

Thanksgiving at Bandon

Well we have always said we wanted to spend a Thanksgiving as a family at the ocean, and we finally did it. Can't say the weather was great but we still managed to have a wonderful holiday and family vacation. Bandon, Oregon is probably one of our favorite family spots to vacation, as I'm sure the ocean in general is most everyones top pick for taking holidays. It is so relaxing and just fun for all ages. The kids did an excellent job of traveling the 9 hour trip. Our plan to have our Thanksgiving meal on the beach however got cancelled do to the crazy amount of rain. That evening we were able to take the kids and enjoy the opening night of the holiday lights at Shore Acres State Park. It is a must for whomever goes that way. A real sight and beauty to see.
We also enjoyed the wonderful downtown of Old Bandon. Lots to do and some of the best homemade chocolates along with a great toy store full of little prank toys. Oh yes, and lets not forget WONDERFUL fish and chips. All in all we had an outstanding family getaway. We can't wait to go back in February with all of Josh's family to celebrate his dad's 60th birthday.

Lunch with Winston

Winston's school invited all the student's parents to enjoy some turkey and gravy lunch with them. It was most enjoyable to have lunch with Winston and listen to his stories about his friends and him. As well as, what they do during lunch on a normal day of school. I'm not sure if they actually get their food ate or just play.

Hans Preschool Program

Hans had a preschool program where he sang songs with all the kids in his class, including his cousin Hayden. He really likes school and loves that he gets to go with Hayden. They are best buds he tells me.

Boys and their toys

"Wow! Thanks Grandpa" is what Winston said. Then Hans spoke up and replied with "It needs a number Grandpa!" Yes, a Wintoniak orange go-cart, just what these farm boys need.