Helping, having fun and Six months

Candy Cane Helper

The couple of boxes of candy canes I bought for the tree kept Genevieve busy for a few minutes. She was almost beside herself as they sat in the dining room (calling out to her I'm sure) for a couple of days before I let her help to put them on.

Play time

Danika LOVES anything girly. She was so excited when her momma told her she would put makeup on her.

She looked like one of those "Toddlers in Tiaras" candidates.

Danika pulled a stool over near Garrett and sat there for quite a while playing with him. They have super similar profiles. He is really a mellow baby and that is pretty similar to what she was too. Danika loves being a little mommy!

Look who is 6 months old!

This little guy is 6 months old today. He is a drool factory, has 2 new teeth and his starting to really be interested in watching people eat food. I think he'll get his first solid food on Christmas day. That way it'll be easy to remember. Other Christmas day milestones: Hayden and Cameron were both dedicated on Christmas Day. Sixteen and twelve years ago.

Rain, rain go away!

I am not usually one to complain about the rain. I actually enjoy our winter weather. However we went almost the entire winter last year before we had a hard enough rain to seep into the basement. We have had several incidents of rivers running through the shop and laundry room just in the past week! I'd like to have a lull in the storm fronts to be able to get things dried out a bit. I took a picture of this rainbow this morning on my way to Garrett's doctor's appointment.

I was beginning to wonder about God's promise :o)

Time for list making

"Gonna find out who's naughty or nice"

There is a lot of talk of Christmas around these parts. Decorating is going much slower this year than in past years. Slowly but surely we are getting things put up. I'd rather enjoy the process and not drive myself crazy trying to do everything.

I am enjoying having little helpers around. Must try to do a few baking things with the kids that are old enough to help with that.

Tree is up and lit

We have a large tree this year. It is a full noble. The guys that got it in the stand made sure that we had plenty of spaces facing the room to showcase the kids' ornaments. It's so nice when they hang freely rather than lay on the outside of the tree. We've had our share of groomed Douglas firs that we couldn't make a dent in to hang any thing. They have the perfect Christmas tree shape but lack in charm. Charlie Brown knew the value of imperfection.

S'more Nativity

I apologize if anyone thinks this is sacrilegious. I've gotten a couple of S'more ornaments for Courtney and Charlie. Hers is a cup of cocoa with a marshmallow smiling in it. His is a guitar playing s'more.

As kind of a tradition, I have gotten each of the girls (after they have moved out) a nativity set or at least a set of figurines of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. I haven't found one for Courtney yet but saw this ornament at Kohl's. I had to get it for her. I still want to get her a more realistic set but for this year this'll do.

Lights of the Season

We still have a couple of strings of the icicle lights, the kind that are up on the dormer, to put across the front of the house. They may not get up this year but for now this is what you see when it's dark outside. I think it is pretty cozy looking. What do you think?

(Had to send my new camera back to be replaced, I hope. It didn't take pictures in any mode other than automatic. So I have a little point and shoot that I'll be using for the rest of the month. Hopefully I'll manage to blog a few times before the end of the year.)

2011 is just around the corner!

Farewell fall leaves, Hello Christmas lights!

Girls and Boys

Danika says that Garrett is her "buggy" and that she is his "pinky"... whatever that is.

I think he looks like one of those "snow babies" in his snow suit. We definitely have colorful laundry with having both boys and girls. Pretty much half pink, purple and teal and the other half blues, greens and grays.

Sunny Friday afternoon

In the midst of getting decorations and lights up, the boys raked the remaining leaves into a pile in the yard and let the kids loose. We took a posed pic before they started playing.

Krystle's video camera doesn't take very great action pictures. It does show that they are moving though.

Kids in the Leaves

The leaves sure look different after having fallen and gotten rained on for a couple of weeks. It was fun to watch the kids enjoy them for a few more minutes before they get bagged up.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I've got my little snowman on the porch swing for the 3rd? year in a row. We also have our 8 ft tall snowman and his buddy up on the roof above the porch. Slowly but surely things are sprucing up. It is beginning to look like Christmas. Now if I could eek out some time to get shopping done.

Wedding revisited

More photos

Courtney got back a CD of photos taken by the photographer. I love all of these candid shots she took. So if you weren't able to be at the wedding enjoy a peak of the happenings!

Our two oldest grandsons were the ring bearers.

Our youngest grandchildren were dressed to match the bridal party.

The bridesmaids outfits are surprisingly wash and wear. They were a bit tricky to sew though.

Matron of Honor our Alyssa and Best Man Charlie's friend Jared.

Joylynn doing Courts' makeup.

Last minute check in the mirror.

Prayer before the ceremony.

Prayer during the ceremony.

The whole bridal party.

The vows.

Signing of the Marriage License.

The Mr and Mrs.

I may have this printed for the mantle to join the other 4 pictures already there.

Weekend of farewells and looking forward

Last leaves of Fall

Our trees were a bit late changing color but they put on a beautiful show once they did.

Happy Birthday Kiel

In the midst of all the wedding weekend happenings was a belated birthday lunch with Kiel. Kiel, Cherise and Henry went with Har and I to our new favorite restaurant, McMenamins on Broadway, to celebrate Kiel's 27th birthday. Henry and Har played a new version of "Whack a Mole"... basically "Whack a Grampa". Henry loved the game, especially the sound effects that went with it.

All too soon it was time for the traditional farewell photo out on the porch. We love having those kids come to visit!

Cutie Katie

Katelyn is turning into a munch mouth. It is cute to see her react to the ding of the bell on the microwave. She still needs soft foods but doesn't miss an opportunity to try whatever someone else has. She even lets us see what she is eating. Thanks for sharing Kate :)

More farewells

My sister Kelly left on Sunday with her kids and flew out from Spokane on Tuesay. On Monday Brad and Tiffany came to the airport to bring Kara and to see Mom and her off.

Mummu mushing up a couple of her lovey boys. She sure is going to miss these guys. Though I think she will appreciate how quiet it is out at her place in contrast to the past few weeks here.

Aunty Kara would have gladly taken this boy home with her. He shared his charming little self liberally during the weekend. She too will miss all these babies. I guess she'll just have to come back soon.

Lookin' forward

I'm looking forward to the next month. The sights and sounds of the holidays are always so wonderful. It is wonderful to have all these little elfin helpers around as well.

Hope everyone has an enjoyable Thanksgiving and looks forward to embracing the Christmas season with grateful hearts.

We went to the chapel and Courtney got married!

Sibling Affection

Hayden is going to miss having Courtney around. He is kind of a little Papa Bear when it comes to his sisters. A wee bit protective.

Preparing for the big day

I was looking through pictures that I took this weekend and I realized how much everyone pitched in and did everything that needed to be done without much direction at all. The Domina family and extended family and friends, my mom, sisters, brother and sister-in-law and my nieces and their husbands gave up their weekend to help make this wedding a memorable one for Courtney and Charlie. I am so grateful for their hearts and hands, their love and support!

The guys hanging out and "supervising" the decorating. The boys waiting and biding their time with Uncle Hayden's iPod.

Wedding Day

Kelly working on favors. She was my brain through this whole process. She is amazing at keeping things moving forward and helping wherever it's needed.

Harlan doing his traditional job of ironing the wedding dress.

Hayden getting Rowan spiffed up.

Lacing Courtney into her dress.

Beautiful Bride!

All smiles and ready to walk down the aisle.

Focused on her Charlie, while still her Daddy's little girl.

Our married kids with their kids

Jess, Joylynn and their 4. Kiel, Cherise and their Henry. Alyssa with her and Logan's 2 wishing that he was by her side for this.

Our Family

We were happy to have my mother join us in this picture. This is our whole gang with the exception of Logan. He was thought about and prayed for during the wedding ceremony. Very touching.

Mr and Mrs Charles Alexander Domina

Courtney and Charlie are off on a little honeymoon trip to the Oregon coast. We pray for their life together that they will be a blessing to others as well.