Holiday Pictures

 Taylor petting the dog named "Oprah" at a Christmas event put on by Mark's work.  The dog was donated by Oprah Winfrey as a therapy dog.

 Decorating cookies.

 Mark eating his birthday cake.

 The boys in matching sweaters.

 The boys in coordinating sweaters.

 At Dani's school party with her friends Ashtyn and Hallie.

 Taylor painting ornaments at her school party.

 Dani wearing her Rudolph hat at school were they recited "T''was the Night Before Christmas" and sang some songs.

Dani's cookie.

 With Santa at the St. Al's Christmas event.  Sam decided he didn't need to see Santa, because he already had.

Jo @ 2 years

School Tree Lighting.

 Standing in line waiting to see Santa.  Unfortunately we missed the tree lighting because we were still in line.

 Way to go Sam for sitting on Santa's lap!  The only brave soul.  At least Jo stood there for a picture.  Sam is at the age of high interest in Santa Claus.

Standing in front of the Christmas tree.

Joseph's Birthday

We went to Monkey Buziness to celebrate Joseph's Birthday.

                                He loved sliding down the slides, especially the really big one.

 This isn't really a good pictures, but I loved Joseph's position.

 Dad had a lot of fun too!

 That big slide is fast and scary!  Mom and Dad didn't really enjoy it, but the kids wanted to go again and again.

 Joseph's spiderman cake.

 Playing with his new lightsaber.

Holiday dresses

Thanksgiving Break

I've never been real good about getting pictures during the Thanksgiving holiday.  I anticipated doing so this time because we were going to have family in town and had a lot of fun activities planned, but then due to bad weather, they opted to stay home.  We still had a pleasant Thanksgiving, just no pictures to show for it.  Stacey did the 3:30am shopping and ended up with more than we needed. We went to our annual Festival of trees.  Unfortunately we were quite rushed and there were so many people there that we didn't enjoy it as much as in the past.  Here is Jo with the reindeer and Sam NOT talking to the "talking tree."  That is it for the pictures.  Mark and I were generously given tickets to see the Forgotten Carols and we were even in the 2nd row.  We've enjoyed some nice dates lately due to freebies.  Last week we were in the 4th row to the Boise Philharmonic.  As for this past week, we still managed to keep busy and enjoyed our time together as a family.  Now, for the Christmas Holiday. .                          

In November

Taylor at her school "honoring our heros."

We can't seem to keep Jo off the table.

Sam and Jo trying out the hula.

Trip to Oregon

Air Museum in Tillamook, OR with Uncle Matt.  One of the many airplanes found within the hangar which housed blimps from World War II.

The outside of the hanger and the mini guppy.

At the Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Taylor and Dani watching the huge bricks of cheese cut into smaller portions and packaged.

Cheese tasting at the Tillamook Cheese Factory.

We stopped in Depoe Bay to watch the ocean.  The waves were very forceful and in one location would reach over the wall.  The kids wanted to stand there and got soaked.  In this picture I had asked for them to turn around for a picture, just as a wave came over.

Dani, Jo, Grandma, Taylor, Sam, and Matt at Depoe Bay.

Eating lunch at Mo's. 

On the beach.  It was very cold, but that didn't stop Grandma, Sam and Dani from getting in the water up to their knees.

Jo was shivering just from the cool air, so we sat and waited for those playing in the water.

All wet and ready to go get in the hot tub.

At the carousel with Grandma in Salem.

Mom with the boys on the carousel.

Dani on the CTR horse.  The medallion on the front says CTR.

Taylor enjoying the carousel ride.

Matt was kind enough to escort me to the wedding of my friend, Chelsea.  His expression says how thrilled he was to be there, but I'm grateful he came to support me and keep me company.

My good friends from High School, Katie and Chelsea.

Jo and Sam sitting on Great Grandpa's lap.

Dani and Taylor with Great Grandma.