Our Guela!

To most the name 'Guela' means nothing...

but to these kids is means Grandma and friend!

She is our biggest fan and our warrior of prayer!

What a blessing she is to our families!

So to you Guela we give a shout of thanks, love and appreciation!

Your Kids, Grand kids and Great Grand kids!

We love you!!

A glimpse of Christmas at our house...

Good Hair Day!

As many of you know...I'm a little obsessed with my Kali's Hair! If ya need proof, this is the 3rd time I've blogged about it! Exhibit A & B !! I grew up with 3 sisters and a mom (sorry mom) that didn't enjoy doing our hair! In fact we had bowl cuts until I could convince her that I would do everyone's hair in the morning....if she would just let us grow it out! Well I must have been a smooth talker because she let us grow it out! I did braids for my younger two sisters for years! Anyways....When Kali was born I just wanted her to have a little hair...no such luck! So for the past 2 1/2 years I've been willing her hair to grow!! Today was a big day! I was able to get two braids that actually look like braids in her hair!! I know...but for me it's the simple things!! Front view of my cutie!!
Back view!!

Adventures in Palm Springs...and beyond!!

I am very fortunate to have a husband that loves to travel as much as I do!! I'm also grateful for our shared sense of adventure!! We had gotten cheep tickets to Palm Springs back in August. Of course in August you don't know what the weather will be like in December...but we took a chance!! Well as we prepared to leave, our AccuWeather web site didn't share very good news...rain!! To go or not to go, that was the question...well as you can see we opted to go and take our chances!! Upon arriving the weather was fairly nice so we were able to get our first round of golf in...by the end we were a little chilled!! On Friday we thought that we would wake up to rain and found that it was actually very nice out! So we got our 2nd round of golf in. (side note-my best round ever...with 2pars and a birdy on the back nine!!) We knew that the rain was on the way so we left...and headed to Shane's friends place in LA to help them with their Christmas Party!! (Apologies to Aunt Sandra and Paul we wish we had more time but it was a last minute decision!!) We arrived at Greg's in time to help with party prep!! They were awesome hosts and put on a great party!! We enjoyed some good wine, great food and made some new friends! We were very glad that we went...it turned out to be a fabulous little get away!!

Christmas Card...Blog Style!

Where has the year gone...I can't believe we are knocking on the door of 2008!! Having put the blog address on the Christmas card this year, I thought I would let you know how to navigate our site (It's pretty basic)!! I try to update the blog once or twice a week, so feel free to check in often, keeping up with us all year long. If you are interested in our activities of this past year check out the archives over on the right!! Not much to it!! Also, feel free to comment and let us know how you are doing!!

Now for a little on the kiddos!!

Truman and Kali- I really never could have expected the amazing bond that these two have formed! Truman is in the 7th grade and I am so proud of him as he is starting to navigate his teen years!! He has a lot of questions and really wants to do the right thing. He is excelling in both school and school sports. We have enjoyed watching him take on new leadership roles in both football and basketball. You can tell he loves it and takes it very seriously!! He is a great kid!!
Jake & Taiji- My twins that aren't really twins! These two crack me up, maybe it's the age or just the strange circumstances of their situation...but these two are laughing and wrestling and playing and laughing and wrestling ALL day long!! They are both in the 4th grade and celebrated birthdays in April...almost double digits!! They too are doing very well in school and love to hang out with all their friends!! After watching Truman the last 3yrs, they had their first experience at a State Baseball Tournament...their team played awesome and ended up getting 3rd!!As a blended family we face a lot of challenges, but we truly believe that God brought us together for a reason. I never thought I would be a mom to 3 boys...but here I am and I love it! I never thought that I would be blessed with two beautiful daughters but here I am...holding on to memories of Abbey and making new ones with Kali!! God is good!
Kali Faith- My little brown eyed girl!! Kali is now 2 1/2! She loves her thumb, blankey's, brothers, books and her t-b! (tv) It that order!! She's talking non-stop and loves her music class!! I often wonder with all the sporting events this child has to endure with her 3 older brothers, will she be our best athlete...or want nothing to do with a gym, field or stadium? Time with tell!! There is not a day that goes by that Kali doesn't make me laugh...I'm so grateful!!
Shane- 'I want to drive you derby car dad!!' This is coming from Kali!! It's brain washing I tell you!! Shane and his car did great this year...he won his heat in the afternoon! In our house that is big stuff!! Shane continues to be very busy with New York Life, keeping our sporting schedules straight...and pampering me!! I am very lucky!!
Well that's it for now! Blessings on the new year!!

Fun in the snow!

Again, I know a little late considering that there is no sign that snow ever even came to Lynden, however we have some pictures to prove it!! Saturday and Sunday provided us with a winter wonderland that the kids thoroughly enjoyed!! The boys made it out and stayed out for a couple of hours....Kali on the other hand...a couple of minutes!! Kinda a mish-mash snow outfit...no wonder she didn't stay outside...she must have been embarrassed!!
The boys with the help of cousin Luuk built a very nice igloo!!
Foreman of the project!
Slave labor!