Sabrina's Birthday

Yesterday was Sabrina's birthday, the day after Christmas. She turned 12. What a sweet girl she is. She has such a soft heart.

Every year Sabrina chooses to go to the mall to build a bear. True she is 12 and I wonder when she will grow out of this tradition but for now I enjoy the innocence of her choice.

A frog was her pick this time. She named her Kristen.

First you pick the animal you want then a sound box to go inside it.

They fill it with stuffing and then you are done. After the mall we took her out to lunch with Jon and Summer. We had our great friends the Murdoch's over that evening for the celebration.

Happy Birthday Sabrina!!!

Merry Christmas

We had a great Christmas. The children opened their stockings first then dug into the pile of presents. Hiram made breakfast and I cleaned up the big mess. For the past 5 years we have gone to the movies on Christmas day. The first time we went we thought maybe they would be closed because of Christmas. To our surprise they were opened and packed with people. We met Howard (Hiram's twin brother) and his family there. The movie this year was Sherlock Holmes. Entertaining.....

We didn't get up near as early this year. For some reason they all slept in.

"Okay, I admit it I am obsessed with New Moon."

"49er's are the best."



"Out of all my presents this is my favorite."

Great hats......



Um, Christian how are you going to see what is in the box if your looking the other way?

"Adriana, just let me try it on."

"Dad, I told you it wont fit you."



"Close your eyes, go to sleep."

"I told you get that camera out of my face until I am ready for the day."

Chocolate and Sabrina

Jon and Peyton

The kids will be off for a total of 3 weeks. We have a lot of fun together but the house always seams to be in such disarray.

I think I will wait a few days before I undecorate.

Tis the Season

Christmas is in two days and there is still much to do. There are a couple of presents left to purchase and much wrapping to be done. Sometimes the hustle and bustle of it all takes over the true meaning of Christmas. Remember this time of year is about the birth of our Savior and all he has done for us. Well, it's time to put on my Mrs. Claus hat and finish my work.

Moonshine

This is Moonshine. He is a purebred Bloodhound. He is in training to help locate missing people by trailing their human scent. We volunteered to hide for Moonshine so he could come and locate us. (This picture was taken after Moonshine was done with all his work and then playing with the kids. He was exhausted.)

We met Moonshine and his Handler, Chuck Jones at a park with lots of places to hide.

Moonshine gets so excited to start his work.

The first to hide was Adriana. Lindsay and her went together. The girls went off into the park about a mile. Moonshine smelled Adriana's scarf that she left behind and he was ready to go. He did an amazing job. When he got to the girls he went right past Lindsay and straight to Adriana. He definitely knew who he was looking for.

Christian was next. He took a bundle of flags and placed them in the ground about every 20 yards or so. This way Moonshine's handler (Chuck) can see if Moonshine is going the same way the victim (Christian) went. Moonshine smelled Christians hat and off into the park he went. Over brush, deep into the bushes, across the street a few times, up a huge hill, in the mud. Moonshine even had to deal with 4 dogs and he still stayed focused. Christian went a little over 2 1/2 miles.




Moonshine gets a lot of praise and a yummy treat after he finds his victims.



Christian was up in the tree. Moonshine circled the tree and then put his paws on it and looked up. How does he do it. There are so many other smells out there but he only focuses in on his victims smell.

He really enjoys his work. You can tell how happy he is once he finds who he was looking for. Then on the walk back to the center of the park Moonshine keeps an eye on Christian to make sure he doesn't get lost again.

Jon and Summer came for the excitement.

Play time !!!!!

Fetch...

It's been a long day. Looks like pup and handler are ready for a nap.

The movies

We saw this movie the last day Renee was here. We laughed so hard. Very funny. I can't remember the last time I laughed like that.

Galaxy Theater. We always end up here!!!

He's still smiling...

Us girls. The little boys are in the arcade.

The day after

My brother Russell and his boys came over the day after Thanksgiving. He lives in Utah with his family so it was nice to see him. He came down to California to spend the holiday with his wife's mother. Hiram had to work today for black Friday. Such a busy day for the officers. Summer took Lauryn, Adriana and Sabrina to see New Moon.

Mason, Oliver, Me and Howard

Look at Oliver's eyes. It looks like he adores Christian. He and Christian have been buds from the time Oliver was just a little baby. Oliver has the cutest personality. As soon as they left Christian said I miss him already.




Mason is such a handsome boy. He told his mom the last time he was here that he loves to go in my closet because it smells so good, like Aunt Michelle's perfume. How sweet.




Howard, Oliver, Mason (and his cousin Josh) and Curtis

"Renee get over here we are trying to get our picture with our LITTLE brother."

Oliver sang me a few songs then said that he has the best smile for pictures. I agree.

Mason couldn't resist the rain. It started coming down so fast. He got a little wet.

Thanksgiving at home

We had such a great Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for a wonderful family.

" I am so full... Wait is it time for pie now?"

"Yes, we are beautiful."

Rene'e and Lauryn came for Thanksgiving. We always have such a blast when they are here. Rene'e brought her friend Marty too.

Dee Dee and her daughter Jessica were here too.

"Do we have to listen to that song again?"


"Hey mom, " can I go play xbox please?"

Shirley and Lane were here. Lane is in charge of carving the turkey every year.

Shirley and Jon.

It was nice to have Hiram's mom here. We love you mom.

Sabrina and Lauryn

Hiram does the turkey every year. He knows I wont touch it. Too gross... He rubs it down with mayo and puts it in a paper bag (upside down) to keep all the juice in. I'm not sure why he put on the rubber gloves. We finally started buying the pan you can throw out after you use it. Makes clean up much better.

"We ROCK!"

The kids had to warm up a little before the Turkey bowl. Ethan and Elli from next door came over to help. Marty, Renee's friend was so good with the kids.

"Go deep."

Every year the boys go and play in the Turkey Bowl at the park. They look forward to this for weeks.

"Faster Christian."

Howard look at you blocking for the quarterback. You are the man.

Hiram was going to play and didn't because he hurt his back before the game. He and Ozzy were the refs.

"Christian, I'm open."