GUITAR HERO

The "look" of concentration, trying to keep up with the notes on the Wii guitar hero game.

These guys are SCARY!

Addy and Kelly "working it out" with the guitars.
Alex showed up Christmas day with a baseball cap and the "all American boy look". After one song on guitar hero, the baseball cap got turned around backwards and the "rocker boy look" took over.

SANTA AND HIS HELPERS

Hope your Christmas was a good one. May you have a very Happy New Year in 2009. Is it just me or does it seem like practically yesterday it was the year 2000? Time Flies!!

SNOW,OH NO

It is Dec. 19th, the day before we are supposed to leave for CA. If this is our backyard, then what does the mountain pass look like on I-5 . . . oh no. We need a BIG heat wave. I've been wearing long johns for a week.

We don't want to miss any fun times with these 6 sweeties.

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, & IT DID!

Those weathermen seem to be getting more accurate these days. They predicted this snow and . . . well, here it is! This is our back yard this morning. I woke up at 3:30am, looked out the window (saw not a single snowflake) and said to myself, "Hah, as usual those weathermen got it wrong again." Then, I woke at 7:30am and found this. We are supposed to have "teen" temps at night and "twenties" for the "daytime highs" for the next few days. The snow melted by 1pm, but it's supposed to be back midweek and this weekend. Well, at least it feels like Christmas.

OH CHRISTMAS TREE, OH CHRISTMAS TREE, THIS SUGAR PINE IS MINE

Addy and Sophie came over on Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. We went down the hill and cut down a tree. I wanted a small tree since we won't be home for Christmas. The girls decorated the tree and the house and it was great fun.Sophie stops grandma from sliding down the hill.

Look at how tall these girls are getting.

Addy and grandpa drive the tree up the hill. Addy has been driving on our property for about 5 years. She started out on our laps, but then, about 3 years ago her legs got too long. She actually is a very good driver.

Don't forget the star, that marked in the heavens, our Savior's birth.

Nice job girls!!

Sophie and grandpa put in a little Wii time playing baseball. "Strike 'em out Sophia!"

But all good things must come to an end, and we had to say goodbye. Thanks soooo much for coming to spend Thanksgiving weekend with us!! We'll see you and Kelly's family for Christmas week.

OSU BEAVERS BLOWOUT, BOO BOO, BOO, HOO

"Magic" was in the air. The excitement of possibly going to the Rose Bowl was in our sight.

Unfortunetly, the "magic" stayed in the air and never settled on the field. Our yearly civil war game was won by the Ducks of U of O . . . on our own Beaver home field. I was so depressed, I came home and went to bed, so sad, so sad, so sad.

Ryan and Crystal had tickets to the game. It's a good thing they had fun tail-gating, since the game was a letdown.

They are still smiling because this is BEFORE the game.
Grandpa and Owen, old and new Beaver fans.

Jim and I went to some friend's house for the game. Good thing all the food was good, because the game wasn't.

THANKSGIVING WAS 10 DAYS AGO - REALLY?!

I can't believe Thanksgiving was 10 days ago! 2008 is speeding to a close. We had a great Thanksgiving. Ryan and Crystal's family came and stayed with us. They drove up which they hadn't done in several years. (They like to fly, but the road trip turned out good). It was a brave move because they also brought Kelly's girls, so they could have Thanksgiving with their dad. (I got to see Addy and Sophia on Sunday, before they headed home with Ryan and Crystal on Monday). Ryan and Crystal had Thanksgiving with Darla, Ryan's mom. Jim, Kevin and I did something we have never done. We went out to eat and then to the new movie "Australia". The dinner and the movie were very good.
Thanksgiving 2008

Grandma Darla loving baby Owen.

Uncle Kevin met Baby Owen for the first time. He really enjoyed holding Owen.

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Jim enjoyed our time with the grandkids on Thanksgiving weekend. Owen is getting so good at smiling and cooing. He makes such cute baby sounds.

Alex enjoyed the jacquzzi tub,
After a rousing Boxing Game on the Wii. Notice Grandpa's "game face", we tease him about it regularly.

Payton liked cooking with grandma, but she liked licking the spoon better.
Tubby time is always fun - nothing smells sweeter or feels softer than a fresh bathed baby!

Grandpa Jim gets some tips from Payton on potatoe head assembly.
Payton loves the dollies. She plays with them a lot, she'll make a good mama someday.

We missed Chris and Kelly and Dylan and the rest of the Burks clan. They all had Thanksgiving at Chris and Kelly house in CA. Looks like quite a "spread"!
Grandma Pam has a cute "little turkey"
Nice going Grandpa Bob, teaching the little man what to do after the Thanksgiving feast.
Grinning from ear to ear, Dylan must have had a great Thanksgiving!