A Visit from the Ingrams

We love it when the Ingrams come to town - especially when it includes a good 'ole game of Catan!

A Visit from Doris

Our dear friend, Doris Mager, came to visit us and even gave a presentation to many of our homeschooling and community friends! We always get to stick around longer, though, and love on her and the birds by ourselves.

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas to us! Grandma Sara got us the shirts - aren't they cool?!

 I think Morgan is excited... what do you think?

 I got Michael this cool "Straight Up Chess" board to hang on the wall.

 Merry Christmas everyone!

Maddox & the Cat

I posted this on Facebook a couple weeks ago, but it's so blog worthy... this is how Maddox carries Kaspurr around. It's the cutest thing! That cat just hangs there as sweet as can be.

Don't believe Kaspurr tolerates it? Well, here's another one to prove it:

Yup... that's one sweet cat. A little on the heavy side, but sweet none-the-less!

Michele

The Tree

I am so far behind on updating this blog... someday I'll go back and share the rest of the big events of the year, but for now, I must move on to current events!

We did something new this year, and I am quite certain it will become a new family tradition as it was so incredibly special! We cut down our very own Christmas tree from our very own backyard! It's been many, many years since I've had a live tree for Christmas, but something about getting it from your own yard makes it even more special. We searched our whole property for just the right tree...

...and settled on this one. Kind of sad to take it down, but what an honor for a tree to serve, right?!

Our good friends, Bob & Vasi, were with us and helped us pick out the right one. Michael's holding it in the photo above.

Then the decorating began! Maddox was quite the little helper...

...as were the big boys.

Photos never do it justice because they don't capture the twinkling lights, but let me just tell you... I think this is the most beautiful tree we've ever had!

Merry Christmas, everyone!
Michele

Thanksgiving 2010

We had a fantastic trip to Texas for Thanksgiving. We took our time on the drive and stopped a couple places on the way. First was Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo just before sundown!


It's amazing how these cars are still in tact (mostly). They're covered with layers and layers of spray paint! There were several people there painting them while we were there - I had to warn the boys to be careful where they sit!






Next, we pulled over at a cotton farm and "borrowed" a little of the cotton to see it up close. That's homeschooling in action!


Here's a close-up of how cotton looks before it pops out of the bud and after.

Mom and Dad took us to the oil museum near their house. Yes, more homeschooling! It was very interesting...


We stopped by our friend, and former bus driver, Gill's house to say hello!

And finally, we had our annual feast with family and friends...


The rest of the trip was spent out at Grammy & KooPop's house just horsing around! Chan and Kay came with us and added to our fun.

...aren't they goofy?



I don't think I ever posed with Mark this way?? How sweet...

Handsome Jon Chandler...

And beautiful Kaylan Nicole...

Mason needed a haircut. :) But he always has a wonderful smile.

We were all amazed at this photo of Morgan - he posed it all by himself (thanks to yearly practice by Lifetouch, I'm sure), and we think it is probably the best photo we've ever had of him! He's actually SMILING and it looks so NATURAL!

It's virtually impossible to get a natural smile out of this one... but this was the best I had.

Some time at the park finished off our incredible week with family...


Mom wouldn't let me down!!




Grammy with 5 out of 9 of her grandkids... precious photo.

We hope you, too, had a fantastic Thanksgiving this year!!

Michele