Happy December!

The scouts thought the police car was awesome!

Josh got to try on the bullet proof vest- very heavy.

Josh's friend Mitchell in the lineup.

Josh's official height. :)

And loving every moment.

Josh in "his room".

Fascinating.

Lined up outside the station waiting for the officer.

Turkey day festivities.... the kids literally jumped for joy!

On the trampoline in Wenatchee.

Taking a moment to pose for a picture.

Shawna preferred to stay warm inside and play Wii Lego Star Wars.

All the kids took turns playing games.

Josh read some books to Katie... they both enjoyed it.

Greg examined his cards very carefully. We played hours and hours of pinoucle.

Alli-bug and Katie-bug. Best buds.

Katie also played with Uncle Steve.

More bug bonding.

We went home and decorated for Christmas.

Everyone helped.

Allison and I sorted through all the ornaments.

Shawna fixed the reindeer.

Alli and her friends during curtain calls.

Christian and Allison after the play.

Rachel had to get in the picture too.

And Katie too.

The brides didn't want to go back to town.

Allison hiding behind a tree?

Alli showing off her moves.

Yeehaw!

Alli and her beau.

More.

In the audience before the show. Deb, Rachel and Michelle

Grandpa Rob, Grandma Pat, and Robbie.

Katie and Stephanie.

Grammie Linda and Allison

Allison and her best friend Rebeccah

Christian and Allison

Allison and her "man" Christian.

Allison looking pretty alone and with some of the other "brides".

I finally got a few minutes amidst the holiday hustle and bustle and vowed to catch up on all the latest in our household.

November gave us the excitement of Allison in her school play, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." She had a great time and even had her first "on stage" kiss. OOOOO! She wants me to emphasize that it was only a stage kiss. :) And of course, Thanksgiving found us eating way too much. This year we celebrated at Michelle's house. Josh also took a tour of the local police station with his cub scout pack. He especially loved looking at the cool guns and the police car.

Hope the season is finding you happy. Much love, Deb

October is here already...

and I have been remiss in my blog duties. So sorry. Here's a quick recap with pictures to follow.

Matt earned his tenderfoot, second and first class scout awards in early September as well as many merit badges from scout camp.

Josh has become a football stud... his last six games were all blowouts. His last game score was 40-0. It has become quite common for him to get 2-3 QB sacks per game. It has been fun watching him figure out the whole big picture of football thing. His final game was against a team Josh's team had beat before, so they started the game with Josh against not one but two giant linemen. And he held his own. He didn't break through like he had been, but he tied them both up and allowed his teammates to get in for some action. Grandpa, Grandma and Robbie came up to watch the game, and then we all went out to lunch.

Alli is in seven brides for seven brothers as a bride (duh). As a freshman, she has the third or fourth biggest girl part. Play is sometime in November. She currently has straight A's in some pretty tough classes. She is one of two freshmen in her math class that mostly consists of juniors and seniors.

Shawna has been rocking being a junior. She is in a regular American History class and is sporting a B+. She is also a library assistant this semester and absolutely loves that. She turned 17 on September 21st. For her birthday, she invited her friend Ryan out to dinner with the family and Grammie Linda. We had a good time, and Ryan got her a bracelet with some cool stones that Shawna could tell you about. She was pretty impressed.

Steve and I have been playing taxi for the past six weeks. Luckily football finished Saturday, so that will help. Last week I got the nasty intense flu bug that has been running around (on my birthday no less.) Wednesday, I got up got ready and then hurled. I got to go in and make sub plans and then come home and sleep literally for about 3 days. I'm doing better and am going to try to survive school tomorrow.

Anyway, pictures soon. I just wanted to let you know that we are alive and kicking. :) Deb

And the Utah pictures....and birthdays and football.

We got to meet new cousin Jeffrey. 11 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. Here he is only 5 days old.

And big brother Alex showing off his cool room and basketball skills.

Matt, Josh, and Alex share a cheesy moment.

Alli and Jeff (and his monkey)

Josh and Jeff

Matt and Jeff

Shawna loves Jeff.

Jeff saying hi.

We took the train downtown.

Posing with a handcart in the Visitors Center.

The boys walking together.

More Visitor Center moments. It took all of us to keep track of Alex. He has so much energy.

Hanging out by the fountain.

Inside the J.S. center overlooking the Salt Lake temple

On the steps of the temple, we paused for a family + 1 photo.

And the Banda family by the reflection pool.

On top of the conference center

Matt had a conversation with Jesus.

Josh needed a talk too.

Josh and Alex were best buds all week.

We rented a house. This was the media room. Also made for a good wrestling room.

We went to Lagoon theme park for two days. Josh did his best to scrunch down a few inches and ride the kiddie rides with Alex.

This was before the big tube ride. Notice that we are dry.

Before the big splash.

After the tube (all wet) and ready for the log ride.

On board the pirate ship, ready to rock.

Alli was determined to ride all the scary rides. The swing was tame.The train ride is always a favorite, especially for Alex.

Alex was so excited to ride the bumper cars for the first time.

Getting ready to get wet....again.

Another kiddie ride.... this time as a pilot.

Josh had to literally pour himself into the car, but they had a great time!

Mousetrap, anyone?

Shawna and ying-yang. We just had to take a picture!

Getting ready for mousetrap. Josh's favorite ride.

Josh was too big for the boat, but Alex loved it!

Steve and Josh rode the bat ride. They had shoulder harnesses, but their legs hung loose.

The sea odyssey was another favorite.

Alex told Alli to keep him safe on this one, and as dry as possible.

Jeff was awake and was waving hello.

This was outside our rental house. It had a basketball hoop and lots of toys to play with.

Jeff was great. And Amber was amazing. She was out and about within days of having Jeff.

Just chilling in the sun.

Alli and Alex made a chalk train picture together.

Farewell dinner at Red Robin.

It was hard to say goodbye. We just had so much fun together!

My Alex.

Getting ready to leave the rental house... we just had to take a picture.

Happy 15th Alli!

Alli and her almost clone....Katie.

Rebeccah made Alli a hat.

Happy 9th birthday Josh.

Josh and his birthday crew

Woohoo!

Josh started grid kids football....and loved it.

Well that's about a million pictures. We love you and miss you. I promise to post more often. Luv, Deb