Unexpected changes

Just a little update on why the family blog has and will not be updated for a little while. Danny's Uncle Doug (his dads brother) has been suffering for many years from Diabetes and other medical issues. He lost his battle to stay alive last week and before we knew it we were packing and driving to California for the funeral. It was a great service and dedication to his life. He touched a lot of people over his lifetime even with his quirky sense of humor we were told some great stories to add to our own memories. His passing was a little bittersweet for Danny his Uncle was a connection to his deceased father. You could always count on Uncle Doug to tell stories of Tom and how he was as a man and father. You will be missed Uncle Doug, but so glad for your joyous reunion with your brother and father. Please let Tom know what amazing boys he has and what a great job their mom did in raising them. He would be so proud of their accomplishments and their new families they are starting.

So here we are in RAINY California waiting for the sun to shine which if we are lucky will be on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We left so quickly I was not prepared for Christmas and was not excited about coming down. I was looking forward to Christmas in our new home as a little family, having Brooklyn wake up in a familiar place, but we will make the best of it. It always turns out fine in the end its just changing the attitude that takes a little while. We did already get some exciting news that Mark adn Cara are engaged and will be married sometime in the Summer of 2011. Yea another sister in the family!

My parents were scheduled to come home April 2011 then it got moved to Feb 24th since there project will be completed the end of January now. However a new change has occurred, my dad had a mini stroke and now has a pretty bad cold/flu, when my dad gets sick he gets it hard so the doctor checked him out and suggested that he come home ASAP. Of course this is the worst winter they have had in a decade so the flight are not going out nor in. They are hoping to get a flight out by the new year. I am excited for them to come home, but nervous for my dad, he has gotten fragile in his aging years and life is definitely short so I would like him to come home safely and healthy. So if you would say a little prayer for his recovery and for my mom's sanity so that she can get everything ready to head home would be greatly appreciated.

That's it for now, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and  a Happy New Year. May you be filled with Jesus Christ's love for each of us and my your families being near or far fill your heart and soul with Joy and Love. This year has been a crazy busy year filled with great memories, I am grateful for my friends and family that help to keep me sane and that love me unconditionaly. My life would not be completed without all your love and support. The blessing of Brooklyn in our family has brought so much joy and love to Danny and I that we never knew could be there. (since you all have been asking we have been trying for #2 for some time now, but just not working out at the moment. I think we will be consulting the doctor before to long.)

Pre Holiday prep

I wanted our Christmas lights up and Danny did not want to put them up, soemthign about it had already frosted the rooftops in the end of November this year adn watching the neighbor fall off his ladder made him a bit worried. So I put up some Snowflake lights on the porch adn colored lights in the bushes. Then we had a pretty good wind storm and it blew out half my snowflakes lights we tried to fix them and no luck so the larger lights must go up! I put up half adn got nervous to do the high peaks and bugged enough to get Danny to help.

See why I was a bit nervous to go up that high by myself.

She thought she was so brave climbing that ladder after daddy.

Lights went up hooray! now time for a snowball fight

Tree hunting at our local farmers market that I like to buy our milk and veggies at. This was not the tree we picked.

This is the tree we got, it was so pretty the best tree we have ever had we bought it Sat Dec 11th and found out that we were heading to Cali for Uncle Doug's funeral and Christmas on the next Wednesday so we got to enjoy it for 4 days. Thank fully my neighbor was kind enough to come over everyday while we were gone almost 2 weeks and water it for us. This is picture it the tree Jan 3rd. We had it til mid Jan until it finally started getting dry. I was happy to come home and enjoy it for a few more weeks

Thankfully I had decided I did not want ot go through the effort of putting the ornaments on adn only did lights and garland.

Brooklyn loved sitting by it and touching it.

Jenny had us all over to make Tamales this was my first year going so I was excited to learn how to make them from Vicotr's mom a true pro. Kimmy enjoyed getting her hands dirty mixing the Masa.

We had a good assembly line going and ended up making about 250 pork, chicken and beef.

The tamale making group, yes that's the corn oil that will last us FOREVER. It was at Costco and Jenny said sure get it they said we needed a Lot! Not quite this much not even 1/4 of it oh well live and learn.

The Nutcracker

To start off the holiday season we got to see our niece Hannah in the ballet production of the Nutcracker for the Eugene Ballet company. She was a mouse, she did so great. She even got to Roar as they were running off the stage. I don't have any pics of her in costume since it was dark in the theater. We were so proud she is a great dance and used to be so shy, but she is coming out of her shell.

Brooklyn and Jake waiting for the performance to begin.

Ah sibling love. ( I think Jake was just so happy to be missing school :) )

The next evening Brooklyn and I got to go the a Tea Party with the cast members. They got to meet them and dance with the ballerinas, make a craft, and have yummy treats with delicious hot chocolate.

Hannah with the Sugar Plum Fairy, I think?

Lucy was a little nervous. but looks so darn cute

B with Grandma Etta coloring before the tea started

Some of the yummy treats.

Time for dancing in the Ballroom, they had fun with each other.

Trying to dance with the older girls, Brooklyn is not quite coordinated enough to go as fast as they go.

Some cousin love. Thanks for inviting us Stephanie it was a great time and thank you Hannah for being such a great ballerina that we get to come to these fun events.

Family filled Weekend

Baby Shelby being gretted by her Cousin B. Jeanette came into town for Jake's baptism so we got to meet Shelby for the first time she was 3 months old here.

Easy on the makeout session Brooklyn

Shelby wondering why she left sunny California to be all bundled up.

Eliza was excited to meet her newest cousin as well. The Johnson family came as well, it was a house full but fun.

Saturday morning we went to the local toy store to see Santa. We went last year and it was agreat , I love this Santa.

They rang the bell that he was coming, Brooklyn and Eliza went out to see him. Brooklyn started coming back in when she saw him.

Eliza on the other hand got picked up by Santa. It was so great it was the first time she had been to see him. Santa was so great to all the kids.

I thought if Lucas and Eliza went first Brooklyn would not be so afraid ...

Um...

NOOOOOOO

you have candy well then, "thank you". That was as close as she wanted to get to him, at least she said kept her manners. The funny thing is from that day on she talked about Santa and says Ho Ho Ho. She even wears her Santa whenever she sees them. Maybe next year.

Jake after his baptism he was so happy, Lucas is next in March.

Little Ricky, such a proud dad and son. Congratulations Jake your family is proud of you. You are a great example to all of us.

Proud Parents

The crew that came to celebrate with Jake.

Marissa, Eliza and Shelby ready to go home. It was a short trip for everyone, but fun to have them all here. It makes me miss them more, but when they come to visit we get to spend good times together.

We were outside saying our final goodbyes to everyone and decided to enjoy the sunshine and the snow for a little while.

After playing in PJ's and slippers we thought a few more waterproof layers would be a better idea.

Brooklyn loved it.

Yes she kept her necklace on this girl loves to play dress up.

We do not own a sled so we used a rubbermaid box lid.

Sunday night we went to Ricky and Stephs for dinner and for our families tradition of gingerbread making. Brooklyn was quite excited not just to eat the candy but to decorate.

 Hannah waiting patiently to make her own gingerbread house out of graham crackers.

With the help of uncle Ricky, frosting, cousin Lucy and Brooklyn the house was completed. Thanks for having us over, Brooklymn had a blast and not to much of a sugar high.