Jesus' birthday and mine

One of the only things I wanted to do for my birthday was go to the zoo lights with my family.
We did that.

We rode the zoo railway. Always fun even though a bit nippy on those metal seats.

The other thing I wanted for my birthday was for my mom to be here. She canceled her original flight due to illness but booked another for the day of my birthday and showed up at our house during the party. Way too cool! She came with my niece Tiffany and her husband Craig and our nephew Brad and his wife Katie and son Emory. What a little love. Mom was in her glory with all 6 great grandchildren in the house.

On Sunday the 23rd our little church had their first CHRISTmas program. Joylynn sang "O Holy Night" and Mom was able to be there too.


We hosted the church Christmas Eve service. It was really lovely with all the focus on the "Light of the World" being born.
When it was just the 18 of us again we opened our pjs and started taking pictures.
Here is the R-family. Here are all of the kids and thier kids. Pretty nice grouping of peoples hey?













Last of all a picture of our living room before it exploded into a ton of wrapping paper and people.
Looks kinda peaceful.
Our Christmas was wonderful. Hope yours was the same.
Blog back at ya in 2008. Happy New Year!

Time sure flies...

Twenty years ago in the very room this picture was taken five other children were in the "line up". Rylan was 7 at the time, Joylynn 5, Cherise 4, Alyssa 3 and Krystle not even two. My how the time has flown.
This line up is younger but it was too cool having all 5 of them here at once. From L-R....Wyatt Earl Martin R., Rowan Charles Newton G., Danika Jane Kelly R., Simon Miller H., & Genevieve Kay Marie R.

Pretty great!

Uncles R Us

Uncle Cam and Rowan Uncle Hayden and Genevieve

Uncle Rylan and Danika

Holiday Happenings...

We had a lovely dinner with Kiel and Cherise at the Rheinlander.

Where did we go wrong. I guess we can excuse Joylynn's behavior in her own home but Cherise is out in public.

Here are 3 of our lovely daughters with our newest grandson. Rowan likes just laying back and taking it easy. He is sporting his new sweater from his Gremmy, Kathryn.

Somewhere there is a HUMBUG

Do I give up?....Do we move?....It's getting discouraging.
Over the years, I have tried to decorate for the seasons, inside and out. Many years ago a friend of ours gave me a beautiful church that was strung with lights. It has been a feature under our maple tree year 'round for more than 10 years. Until night before last....

This year I also invested in some lighted, animated deer for the yard. We enjoyed them in the living room for a few evenings and then I put them out. They graced our yard for only 3 nights. Yesterday morning they were gone along with my church.

I have had Christmas wreaths removed from my door twice in the last 5 years. We have had things taken off of our porch off and on also. Mostly bags of pop cans. I guess I don't understand why people would feel free to take things that don't belong to them. Especially things that brought a little bit of "magic" to our grandkids and kids.

My Kingdom for a Camera......

Today would have been an excellent day for me to have a camera. Lalita let us watch Simon for a couple of hours. He is such a sweet little man. Joylynn was here with her 3 as well. I so wanted to get a new picture of Danika and Simon. We have to have cameras here at Christmas time to get all 5 of the grandchildren's picture together.

Here are 4 of our little ones in black and white.

Lots to be Thankful for....

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on blessings, share moments together and partake of the harvest bounty. We don't even have a garden so we depend on others to harvest and provide the bounty for our table. One of the main things on our Thanksgiving table is the traditional Kangas stuffing with 3 lbs of onions and a whole stock of celery sauteed until cooked. It can be a bit toxic if you are sensitive to onion fumes.

We are thankful for all of our family, especially the new additions. Simon, Danika and Rowan. Also our newest feline friends, Peanut Butter and Ninja. Peanut Butter has decided that she

likes Harlan a lot. If you knew how much he is not a hands on pet person, you'd find this humorous.

Aunty Krystle has found a new love in her nephew Rowan. He seems quite taken with her as well. He has such a face!! Don't you just want to kiss it.

We are Thankful for increasing health and energy. Miss Danika is starting to interact socially and is such a bright eyed little cutie.

Of course we are Thankful for the constant activity of the older two grandkids. They were thankful that we hadn't bagged all of our leaves before today.

As far as Mad Max the Road Warrior dog. Who knows what he is thankful for. He just appreciates the chance to come to "Gramma's" house and play with the kids and get a bunch of attention. He is such a great dog. There are none better IMHO.

I love this picture of him that looks like he's praying. At least he bowed his head.

God bless us, everyone, as we look forward to celebrating the Christmas season and the coming New Year.

More November Fun

Rowan and his parents showed up on Saturday night to surprise me. He came to Gramma's for his first bath. I was able to give him the bath in my new kitchen sink. His daddy was there to get him ready and take a few pictures but Mom got the job of comforting him after so traumatic an experience.




He got to meet the cousins except Simon and got to chill with Aunty Joylynn. So fun!









Wyatt held him and told him "You're my best boy".

Danika was trying to let him know that it really isn't so bad to be a part of this big clan but he still looks a little apprehensive.

Special times and special people

Fall has got to be one of my favorite seasons. Winter is my very favorite, but Fall is right up there.

Friday is probably my favorite day of the week. We have pizza night and often have family over to share the pies with us. This week Jess, Joylynn, Wyatt, Genevieve and Danika joined us.

The uncles and aunty played tag team in keeping the kids occupied. Uncle Cam was being a human stair blocker for Genevieve.



Weekends in general are so much fun with all that we get to do with friends and family. This weekend we got to help celebrate Rashell Duckworth's 18th birthday. We have just been surprised with a visit from Logan, Alyssa and Rowan. And if we could be in two places at once on Sunday, we would definitely be here at Generations Church and in La Grande, Oregon wishing a very happy birthday to Kiel.

We wish you all the best today and in the coming year. We look forward to spending many special weekends together. Phil 1:3

Grandkids Galore!

Rowan Charles Newton

Wyatt Earl Martin

Genevieve Kay Marie

Danika Jane Kelly

Simon Miller


We are truly blessed with the cutest and best pirates and princesses.

Aunty Courtney and the Uncles love these kids alot too.

You can see pics of Simon on Lalita's blog www.imlearning.blogspot.com

Another Day of Celebration

Last November 5th we celebrated Alyssa's step into "adulthood". Today at 22 she is imbarking on a whole new chapter as a "MOM"! Take a walk with me through the past "year of Alyssa".

Here she is with various family members in various settings doing what she does best "bringing sunshine into the lives of others."

Home improvement projects were the summer jobs that were tackled on our various weekend visits to Lacey.

Here she is just the other day with her brand new son Rowan.

Lys, you are such a people person. I am amazed to watch you with your siblings, your husband and with others. Your gentle compassion is humbling to me. I have learned a lot from you in the past year.

Hope your birthday is very happy. Kiss that little guy for me, too.
I love you, Sunshine.
Mom