Christmas updates soon....I hope

Well, we are still trying to get this darn computer thing sorted out. We have lost everything we had on our computer. I mean, everything. And I haven't attempted to get pictures off of my camera yet, which has so many on it, it is out of memory. I hope to tackle that soon. But, here are a few pictures from Mike's work Christmas party for the kids.

Notice none of them look too thrilled that we are making them pose with Santa. But this pic is my favorite: Kylie streaking out of the picture and away from Santa as fast as she could go.

Darn technology!!

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. Really, I haven't. Well, in Technology Land, I have. Our computer got attacked by a major virus, so several hundred dollars later, we got our computer back. Only to find that it didn't have the virus anymore, but it didn't work at all either!! So it has now been in the shop for over two weeks. In the mean time, I have photos on my computer that are just dying to be put on my blog. Soon, hopefully...

Christmas Tree 2010

We picked the perfect day to find and cut our Christmas tree. It was a bit muddy, but that's part of the fun. Look at this crazy family photo...how did we get so many kids?!? : ) And, look how huge Matthew is! It is hard to tell which one is Matthew and which one is Mike these days!!










































Tyler and his yellow boots that he wears everywhere, all year long. I was very lucky to find these at a garage sale this summer for $1 to replace the ones that were about 3 sizes too small that he just couldn't part with.








































































Tyler loves to collect things. He has an eye for detail and he literally could find a needle in a haystack, I think. He set out on a mission to find ladybugs, and the final total was 6.


































Kylie wore her pink glitter rubber boots and was happy as a clam running around with all of the big kids in the trees.



































Kylie "supervising" Matthew's work.

























































Again, Kylie supervises. I love how she is propped up on Mike and Matthew, just checking it all out.

The kids (and by this, I mean all 6) love playing with the train and the village under the tree. We set the tree up very early mostly so the kids can spend the whole month playing with all of the cars and town accessories that Mike has collected over the years. I love that all of the kids play with it, no matter their age.

Zachary took all of the trucks and tractors and made his own little 'town' on the carpet.

Thanksgiving 2010

Our computer has been in the shop for the last week, so I am finally catching up on all of the photos I had hoped to post much earlier than this! We had such a fabulous Thanksgiving this year. Wow, we are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for! Wonderful friends and family!

We had a very relaxing day of watching sports and eating food.

"Man time" carving the turkey

Kylie loves pie. I mean, really loves it. Runs from person to person to make sure she gets all that she can!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving also!!

1st snow of 2010

Green and Yellow??!!??

As many of you probably know, our house is filled with lots of orange and black. And just a few OSU symbols and pictures of Beavers here and there. Matthew and my mom are gi-normous Beaver fans which means that of course the boys, Kylie, and now Mike and I, also have lots of Beaver gear. There is not much yellow and green in our house. At least not together.

But. Maybe that is going to change? Matthew has been getting a few recruiting brochures and items from U of O over the past year and we keep teasing him about how he may have to change colors. Well, yesterday he got a letter from the Oregon Ducks and this was the opening paragraph:

"The University of Oregon Football Department would like to inform you of our sincere interest in you as a potential student-athlete. You have been recognized by our coaching staff as one of the best football players in the country for the class of 2013."

Oh my word. We are all pretty excited around here. I am just so proud of how far Matthew has come and how well he is doing at this point. But, he has 2 more years of high school football left and if he keeps playing the way he is now, I am excited to see what options he will have to pursue his college career and dream of playing football. Congratulations Matthew, you have earned the recognition!!

Veteran's Day Parade

I am so thankful for our current and past military men and women. I feel so blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Today my best friend Trish and my brother Matt and I took the kids to the Veteran's Day parade in Albany. We used to go every year growing up, so I was excited to get to go today.





It was PERFECT weather!! Look at that beautiful blue sky!

There were over 300 motorcycles that started the parade. It was amazing!!














Miss Kylie all bundled in her stroller with her snacks and juice.





























LOVE the bagpipe band. My grandfather used to play the drums in a bagpipe band. Brings a tear to my eye every time I hear them play.

































































This is my high school band. Gotta love the Bulldogs!!!



























A random statue of a possum on the street corner in Albany. Weird.


Happy Veteran's Day!!