FEBRUARY 2009

Well Jonah turned 18 months. I can't believe how fast time is passing. He is such a little man. He keeps his mommy and daddy running all day. This kid never stops. He is so funny and his laugh is contagious. We were shopping the other day and he had everyone in the store cracking up. I love this shirt and sweater set. He looks good in green.Aidan is so cute in his little ricky jammies.

Takes after Grandpa with the hair.

Angela and her grandaughter Serena had a fun day at the lake. They rented a boat and Adrian, Aidan, Serena, and Angela spent the day out in the Arizona sun. Keep in mind this is February.

While they were at the lake Jim and I took the girls for an adventure to New Mexico. We had so much fun and Jim got to spend some time in the mountains he loves so much.

There was still some snow here and there in New Mexico. This is a valcano we hiked to the top of. It's the same one we took Angela, Josiah, Shawna, And Justin to when they were little. This time there was no freak blizzard and we actually got to see it instead of just trying to survive it.

This is on the Arizona side. Alot more snow. Adria and Amara were in heaven.

Adria is getting ready to hit Grandpa with the snow ball.

We also went to the Petrified Forest. I have been there many times but never saw so much wood. It was all over the place and just beautiful. We hiked all over this area. Adria was very in touch with God here and kept taking us further saying God wanted to show us something. And boy did He!

It was just beautiful!!!!!

Then the Painted Desert. This is Adria and Amara making a picture frame.

Adria and Amara loved the wolf preserve. This place was pretty cool and Adria got to howl with the wolves. She was in her element.

We also went to an ice cave. The ice in the cave is 20 feet deep year round. Considering it is right at the opening it is pretty incredible.

This is the volcano crater.

We stopped at the Salt River for some hiking time. This was Amara's favorite place of the trip. She was so brave jumping from rock to rock. Adria and I sat and enjoyed the view. We crammed alot into 2 days. It was a great break.

Freetime to play.

Josiah and Jonah. I can't tell you how much Jonah is like his Dad. It is like living in a time warp. He loves to try new things. He gave his bear a ride in the diaper genie. They looked everywhere as Jonah can't sleep without it and it goes with him everywhere. You can see it in the picture. They bought a spare but that didn't work. Then when Josiah was emptying the diaper genie he found it. Took four washings and a soak in 409 but it is almost good as new. He loves to do the dishes and is always finding new things to get into. He is always on the move. It is like going back in time.Once in awhile he'll sit still enough for some snuggles. Notice Mr. Bear. It doesn't get any better than this...

Grandpa even got some time for a tea party. Jonah loves the crumpets! (marshmellows)

I don't think Grandpa gave him enough.

Amara and Grandpa having some fun.

Grandpa teaching Adria how to ride her bike. "Don't worry, I won't let go."I'm right here, you're doing great!


Proof Grandpa lies.

And just as a sidebar, we're in the middle of winter here. Below is a picture of Di and Steve's winter.

Get it? Tee Hee Hee!

February News

O.K. I don't know how to turn this picture but it's so cute we'll let you see it like this. If you tilt your head to the left you will see how cute Aidan and Serena are.We are back to having time to play and Serena and Aidan are playing princess and prince.

Angela is well enough to sit on the floor and play trains with Aidan. He is obsessed with trains and never goes anywhere without a couple in his hands.

This is the newest addition to our family. This is Eric Jayden and he was born on the tenth of February. He was 7lbs 15 oz and 20 1/2 inches tall. He is my second great grandchild and is he a sweetie!

He has long nails already and loves to scratch!

This is a great shot of Jonah and Caleb. Caleb just loves Jonah and Jonah loves Caleb. Caleb keeps close track of his older cousin.

This has been a long month but one with lots of miracles and fun! We really do appreciate all the prayers. Thanks again and we'll see some of you at the Angela's all better party in March.

Late Fall - Long January

Fall comes late here and we only have one tree that sheds but we still had time for fun. The more Jim rakes the more fun the kids have. Amara likes to bury Adria. Aidan waits for his chance.Amara gets her turn in the pile.

Finally Aidan gets a turn.

January was a long month. Angela had open heart surgery to repair a thin wall and close two holes in her heart. She came through great thanks to all of your prayers. Life is very busy with trying to keep up. She can't lift or do much but she keeps busy trying. She is recouping well although she still has bad days. She has a few more weeks of healing to go so keep praying!!!!

Christmas 2008

Christmas is finally here. I put together a hodgepodge of pictures and I can't seem to move them around tonight so out of order but hopefully entertaining here we go.Angela and Adria opening presents.

I think Adrian likes it but I'm not sure.

Adria feels about clothes the same way I did. She opens the box, sees that it clothes and tosses it aside. She was so happy with her gifts. Then she was told this blue one was her last one. She ripped off the paper, saw that it was clothes, and said to herself quietly, "And it ends badly". Fortunately there were some more packages for her. Mom loved the kids clothes though.

Amara wanted everything on the commercials this year so she was so excited to get this game.

I got clothes, what did you get?

Trade you.

Vanessa and Eric got a dog house. They look like they like it but......

Amara and Mike having a moment.

Leanna gets to open and Mike gets to strain his back.

Now this is how you open a present!!! Yeah Steph! Jonah says, "Nah, don't like it". Joe has learned how to hide his opinion of Coach purses.

Jonah and Joe having a talk.

Caleb caught on right away.

Aidan and Dad getting ready for Aidans Cars shirts. He liked his clothes.

Jonah and Joe catching a power nap.

Jonah loved the bows.

Now for a sad story. I got so sick on Christmas Eve I couldn't even sit up. Jim had to finish all the wrapping and fill the stockings and finish putting it all together. Stephanie and Leanna helped him. Thanks guys, you did a great job!

Oh, I forgot to mention frosting the cookies.

Poor Michael. He came in at the wrong time and got cookie duty! They came out really good and we had them for Christmas breakfast.

Jim had lots of help putting up the tree this year! It was a fun Christmas, one that was as close to perfect as you can get. We went to California and finished off Christmas with my family. Everybody stayed and visited until the wee hours. I had so much fun with my sweet nephews this year. Hope everyone had a good time!!!



Oh yeah, Jim took his vacation the week before Christmas so he and Adria spent a whole day working on their time machine. Great Stuff.

Sugar and Spice

It's officially Christmas time. The gingerbread houses are getting decorated and so is the house! Adria and Amara are working hard to get the candy on and still have enough to munch on. They had so much fun! Next week is baking and stringing popcorn for our edible tree. With Jonah and Aidan this year it should be interesting.

Such focus!

Very creative.

I did a lot of licking the bowl.


Anticipation!

Hope you are all enjoying the season. If not, come on over, we have cookies to frost.