Our Christmas

Our Christmas went well. It was awesome to see my sister Rachel and her family. I am so thankful that she makes the effort to come up every 1 or 2 yrs. It's time that we go back down to Cally and visit her.... we will find a way!

We spent Christmas at my parents house. This was Jerricho's first Christmas so he didn't know what was going on but because he is so smart -- after the first present -- he knew exactly what to do, and was very excited to open more. So excited that he squealed LOUDLY (as those of you who have met him know he can be quite loud) and kept saying "WOW" every time he saw a new present. It was so funny!

Solomon of course totally believes in Santa, in fact he was so worried each time he got in trouble leading up to Christmas, that he thought Santa wasn't going to get him anything. I had to reassure him that I was sure he'll get something. I have to say it was convenient to use that over his head a bit . . . hmmm.

Jerricho and Solomon loved hanging out with his cousins. Jerricho had a blast just keeping up with the boys (ages 15, 12 and 9). He would crack up (that true belly laugh of his) just watching them wrestle around (which was constant). It was fun to see. It was good for Solomon to have other boys to mess around with also.

Allie and her family came over to the house often to be with us Rachel and family. They live in Parma so it wasn't much of a drive -- except with the snow and ice on the roads it made it a little scary. Coltin (age 3 1/2) was just like Jerricho trying to keep up with the older boys.

All in all there were 6 grandsons at my parents house this past 5 days. Have to say it was noisy but fun to see their carefree childlike fun. Keeps us young.

We were only missing Brian and his family. Brian and Angee were planning on a quiet Christmas by themselves with their kids going to OR. to see their other dad, but the weather wouldn't permit them go to OR. so they had the kids with them. Which they enjoyed I'm sure. If they had come here, there would have been 8 boys and one girl!

We also remembered the true meaning of Christmas and in Solomon's nighttime prayers he mentioned that "Christmas was about Jesus and that we should remember him and give presents to each other because the wise men brought presents for Jesus. I can't wait for my presents." We'll he's getting there.

Jerricho just liked playing with our kid friendly Nativity Scene. :)

Pictures from the program

Time to Update

Last week was the last week of school. I had a busy month at work as Decembers always are. We recorded a school Holiday CD, took a Choir field trip to the Assited Living Home to carol for the elderly. This last week we had our 1st/2nd grade Christmas program *which Solomon was a part of* and the Choir and Xylophone Ensemble Concert. They went well without any "noticeable" mistakes. Friday we had the school sing-a-long. So now I can breathe . . . except, WAIT, I am still painting my house! Almost finished though. Taking a break today.

That's about it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Cheers!

We're so Proud.

OK, so Solomon was in the school music Christmas program (me being the music teacher/director of course), and this is the picture we get of him! Does the apple fall far from the tree or what? :) Can you believe it? LOL. That's my boy.

School's OUT

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Programs are over.... now I can enjoy being home with my family.!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can breathe now.

Connie Talbot -- 6 yrs old! What a voice!

Have you seen this? Watch this, then watch her on the Ellen Degeneres Show-- she's even better there (the link below).

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2008/10/six-year-old_connie_talbot_sin.php

Reflections of Christ

I Love this slideshow and the song that goes with it. It reminds me of how much Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love me.

In Memory of . . .

We love our Aunt Deedee . . .

Andrew's family was saddened by the unexpected loss of Charles "Chuck" Thatcher, Andrew's nephew. We went to his memorial in Washington. Chuck's mom--Andrew's sister Deedee, lives in Oregon, so we went there and visited for a few days. We were also able to meet up with Tammy Andrew's oldest sister and hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Sanders. It was good to see family that we haven't seen in a long time. Grandma and Grandpa Sanders were able to meet Jerricho for the first time!

This is Aunt Tammy, feeding Jerricho after the service.

New Pictures

Finally I'm here to update!

Here are a few pictures from this summer when my brother and his family visited from Camino Island, WA. This is Solomon with his new cousins Boston and Madison.

These are pictures when Andrew and Solomon went to a Seahawks game. Solomon had a blast. He just couldn't believe that he was seeing them in "real-life", not just on T.V. All of the famous fans wanted to take a picture with cute smiling Solomon. He was famous himself!

Solomon's throw did make it in the hole!

These are pictures from the CASI Adoption picnic we went too. There were pony rides, and a petting zoo.

This is Mason. He is one of Solomon's soccer teammates as well as a friend that was also adopted.