Family Hike #1 - 2010

And we're off! Cute shot of the family hiking the flat part of the trail. Slight break to take in the sights! Teensy weensy melt down .... he likes Wildwood Park a lot more because it has a basketball court! Oldest & youngest son!
Nolan Ricky & Papa Beautiful Mt Hood The forest for the trees. Darla & I "cross country skiing" with our walking sticks. Follow the leader.

1st Time For Everything

Friday evening we were treated to an evening of bowling by my mama who was up from CA. It was Darla, Elijah & Nolan's 1st time bowling.

Elijah was stubborn & insisted on learning his own way. Just like all sports & new interests he was very serious about the matter.

Nolan was excited & happy. He ended up being quite good. All the kids loved bowling!

Oldest son Payton was hilarious . . . . complete 50/50 split. Either he would get a strike or full on gutter ball. No in between. Alan & his pointy toe professional bowling posture led to a decent score...and was hilarious to watch.

Darla brought along her best friend Tierra & the two had just as much fun bowling as they did giggling & chatting I think.

Cousin Josh also joined us & had a blast as well. Made my heart super happy to watch it all.

1st experience with bowling alley food & its pretty funny.... less expensive than say a movie theatre but not by much!

Also got to enjoy being gabby & talking my mom's cousin Shelly's ear off. Wonderful evening - thank you Ma!!!

5 Year Olds & Their Money

Nolan & his friend friend Kiana at church yesterday:

Kiana: I like to spend my quarters at Sean's store.
Nolan: I like to spend my quarters at ANY store.

Eli #6

Elijah #6 pale green shirt, black shorts w/ red stripe down sides. Our 1st grader easily holding his own with these older 2nd graders. For his relentless love of the game we drive him from Welches to Troutdale every Saturday so he can pursue his gift & passion. Coach Barden describes Elijah as having "natural talent".

Dancing the Night Away....2010

Click on the photo to view larger size.

Team Lightning!!!

Games are every Saturday.....he would love to have you come support him!

Annual Darla ~ Grandma Vickie Weekend

1. Overnight bag packed
2. Darla's puppy Holiday packed
3. Got to meet lots of people at Grandma's Work
4. Enjoyed good conversation with Grandma
5. Was treated to her FAV restaurant Olive Garden
6. Loved playing with Grandma & Grandpa's dog Kacey
7. Enjoyed watching Holiday & Kacey interact, or lack thereof
8. Took Kacey to vet for trim & shots 9. Yummy cherry milkshake
10.Did more fun sewing with Grandma
11.Another amazing homemade breakfast by Grandpa
12.Lots of hugs & laughing
13.Annoying cough, but Grandma babied her
14.The annual manicure at the spa with Grandma "pretty red with petite white flowers adorned with diamonds"
(matches her daddy daughter dance dress for next weekend)
15.Darla didnt have to sit on Grandma's lap while driving the golf cart this time. She was quite proud of this & how she managed corners even!
16.Blessed big time with lots of loving Grandparents!

January 25th....Grandma Jo's Birthday

Grandma Jo (Joann) passed away a couple years ago, after suffering a stroke. It was very sad to see her go but I do find comfort knowing one day I will be reunited with all loved ones who passed on before I up in Heaven. Love you Grandma Jo, and as my kids called her Grandma Grape (Great).

Daddy Daughter Tradition

2007. . . Darla & her Papa exchanging small gifts before leaving for their 1st annual Daddy Daughter Dance & Dinner. Our cute 6 year old girl insisted on wearing pink gloves.

2008 . . . Darla enjoyed wearing her flower girl dress from her Aunt Kally's wedding.

2009 . . . Papa was a bit late getting home from work that year but they still got to enjoy a couple hours of dancing & dining.

2010 Daddy Daughter Dance is coming up in less than 2 weeks and they are both very excited. They have been practicing their dances in front of the family several times a week. May post video of this soon.

Marx Brothers

Leave 5 & 7 year old brothers alone in the "craft room" and wah-lah! These Marx Brothers boys of mine are not only creative by fashioning their facial hair by repurposing halloween foam stickers (lil' batts & skull bones)but super frugal at that! I get the credit for those traits, but the dorky part 100% their papa's doing. Promise!

Lower Hoops Division

Elijah in red:

Basketball is Elijah's life! He has had 2 practices so far, and his Coach Curtis finally had to ask me why we are not moving him up - playing him up a level?! I didnt know this was an option for a 1st grader. Coach explained how Elijah isnt challenged at all at this level, and we really should move him up. So Tuesday 1st grade Elijah will be joining the 2nd graders to see if he is comfortable. If so, he will be on that team. Elijah is really excited!

"Lower Hoops Division" is for K-1. Here is one more last pic of him with part of this team before joining the "big guys".

Give The Boy A Banana Split!

Nolan brought home his very 1st Report Card this past week! To celebrate his achievements he was treated to a humungous Dairy Queen banana split! He was certain he would be able to finish it all before his siblings got off the school bus but he could not. He was stuffed full so shared with some happy-to-help kids.

Darla's 2nd Trophey!

Awesome Coach Suzy & Assistant Coach Molly treated Team Razmatazz to cookies & cocoa a week ago.
These 3rd/4th grade girls worked their buns off. Never won a game this season but improved & enjoyed themselves! A number of them had never even dribbled a ball prior to joining the team...so the Coaches had their work cut out for them. It was a joy to watch them all grow!

Hi...my name's Amy & I turn 38 today!

Oldest Son Turns 17

Son of simple desires.
Mama had tons of creative ideas, but no thanks said Payton.
What DID he agree to do to celebrate turning 17?
1. Slept in half the day
2. Shopping with Mom
3. Checked out IKEA for 1st time
4. Bought him Queen Bed Frame & Headset Microphone
5. Dinner at Changs Mongolian Grill
6. Homemade Birthday Dinner the next night
(His fav steak stroganoff & 7 layer bars for dessert - oh & chocolate peanut butter ice cream his other favorite)

Mom...You Look Scary!

Motorcycle Man

Year after year Nolan's Christmas List is simple... 1. DIRT BIKE
Problem is we have never been able to afford one & we also arent setup to have our kids buzzing around our quarter acre on a dirt bike. Solution??? Hmmm....what can it be? Nolan not peeking... The boys dreams come true...an electric mini chopper! But he calls it a dirt bike. Happy Boy! Will post video of him riding it soon.

Little Drummer Boy

Thanks to the generosity of a boy named Trevor....we were able to make Elijahs Christmas Wish come true .... for a REAL drumset! Elijah had already tore thru the inexpensive kid sized 1st Act set a couple years back. You can tell he is quite thrilled at the size of his present...hoping it's drums??? "Awesome!!!", he squeels!
And our boy wastes no time rockin' out!!!

Christmas 2009

Tradition in our home, late on Christmas Eve night when we return from the Hibberds...the kids open their new PJ's & put them on! Christmas Morning has arrived! Brotherly Love The 2 oldest arrive....1 awake....1 not so much (yet) Payton opening a present....eyes beginning to open now.
Darla apparently happy with the dress & her 1st pair of "REAL" high-heels (the heels even light up & sparkle as she dances)

Christmas Eve ~ Hibberds

Our new tradition for at least 3 years, since my Grandma Jo passed, is to spend Christmas Eve with Grandma Vickie & Grandpa Bob. It is one of our favorite memories during the holidays. We always do a low-key appetizer potluck and a gift exchange. The kids love driving the golf cart thru the neighborhood & check out Christmas Lights. One of Grandpa Bob's gifts was a talking fly swatter. I feel bad for Grandma Vickie because for some reason....we are always drawn to fun loud gifts for our fun grandpa. I joked this year about how some grandparents get their grandkids the loud noisemaker gifts but its the other way around with us...we get the grandpa those.


This year Grandma Vickie made beautiful quilts for each of the kids. She customized each one special for each grandchild. She is an amzing woman! The kids LOVE their quilts. All 4 of the kids snuggled with their blankies on the long car ride home, and the special quilts accompanied the kids to the Tree Christmas morning.

Grateful. . .

. . . to be loved by God.
. . . for knowing & loving the Lord.
. . . I am forgiven when I fall short.
. . . I am granted the grace to try again.
. . . for my husband, Alan.
. . . for our four amazing children.
. . . for Alan's job, allowing him to provide.
. . . for my loved ones good health.
. . . for the roof over our head & heat.
. . . for food & water.
. . . for our Church Family
. . . for our community we call home.
. . . for having the ability to love everyone.
. . . for my continual progress on not holding grudges.
. . . for the power of prayer.