Merry Christmas 2008!

Come on! It's already the 19th. We HAVE to get this Christmas photo done! Everybody is going to be in this Christmas picture! Hurry up! Put on any red shirt you have... No, Daniel, it's going to be a family picture. WE have to be in it, too. No, we AREN'T going to just use the family picture from our August vacation.

OK, I have a fun idea. Let's try and get our heads together as close as possible, then Dad and I will be kissing the end kids. It's not gross. It will be fun! Ok. Our lips look weird.

Let's try just a regular group pose. Hmmmm.... I'm not sure about that. I have to look good, too, right? And why does our wall look like two different colors?

Let's take one of just the kids, just in case. Yep, that's the one! OK, everyone can change into their snow clothes and go back outside to play. Don't we have beautiful kids? Now, what to do next year? Everyone in antlers?

In Memory of Maxine Mack

Born 03/30/1917 Died 10/27/2008

After my Grandpa died, Grandma moved to Texas where her oldest daughter lives. My earliest solid memory of Grandma Mack is visiting her in Texas when I was small. She had a lot of puzzles, games and books for all her grandkids, and made peanut butter candy for us to eat. While I was a teenager, she lived near us in Idaho. She looked forward to having me sleepover at her house. I would help her organize her food storage, then we'd play games. She loved to make breakfast for us the next morning. She was always up for a good time, and loved to do crafts.

The last years of her life, she lived back in California. My Aunt Janice and her family spent a lot of time with her, and took great care with her. This is a picture of me and my Grandma the last time I saw her. While we were vacationing in California in August, I was able to go visit her in the hospital.

For the funeral, Rebecca and I were able to fly to California a little early and help organize some of her belongings. It was nice to have that time with Rebecca. I feel even closer to her now that we went through that experience together. It was great to reconnect with Janice and her family, too. I forgot how much fun it is to be around Janice. I miss having her in my life. Going through Grandma's things helped me realize how much we all meant to her. She saved everything I made for her, and every picture!

Pumpkin Patch 2008

The sun peeked out long enough for us to go to Spooner Farms in Puyallup, WA

The kids, of course, wanted the biggest (and most expensive) pumpkins!
Daniel told them if they can carry it, they can get it. Which one to choose...

While Daniel, Sam and Carly went through the corn maze, Gabe, Dolores and I found the goodies--
caramel popcorn and apples, roasted corn on the cob, hot chocolate.

Soccer Season!

Carly is on the "Blue Lightening" team, and Gabe is on the "Arsenal".

Carly and Sam love to support Gabe by watching his games...

if there are snacks and entertainment! GO TEAM!

Mother/Daughter Weekend

Our Mother/Daughter weekend this year was in Boise. We attended the Deseret Book's Time Out For Women (Mom's treat)...

Rafted the Payette River (another treat from Mom!)... Met Micah & Jenny for lunch...

and played games 'till all hours of the night.

As usual, we all talked and laughed, stayed up late, ate wonderful food (thanks for all the goodies, Carrie!), soaked in the hot tub, and enjoyed each other's company. It was a wonderful weekend!

Ward Campout

Last weekend was spent at our annual Ward Campout at Zion's Camp.

The kids loved playing in the lake and eating S'mores.

It was great to have some time with our friends in the ward. Daniel loves to get out the camping supplies, and cooked a great dutch oven dinner!

Disney Vacation 2008

Day one of our drive to Southern California. We're energetic and excited for our Disney vacation!

When we arrived in Southern California, we went to Medieval Times. Sam got knighted, and we ate everything our serving wench brought us with our fingers while we cheered on the Green Knight!

Here we are boarding The Disney Magic on our cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

Carly loved being in the Oceaneer's Club, and also got her hair braided. She had a great time, and made a lot of new friends.


Sam had his 11th birthday while on board. He loved the pool and the ocean at the resort in Puerto Vallarta.


Gabe spent a lot of time in Disney Quest -- hanging out with the teenagers!

Dolores treated us to the cruise, and it was great to have the time with her and Aunt Ophie!
With the kids so busy with their club activities, Daniel and I had some time alone, too.


Our 4th Disney Cruise - AWESOME! I can't believe they made us get off the ship after only 7 days! Who's going to lay chocolate on my pillow at night? Who's going to prepare gourmet food for us? How can we survive without our nightly entertainment?

After the cruise, it was time to spend some time in Southern California - Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland!

Carly and Daniel loved all the roller coasters. The rest of us enjoyed the more traditional rides. Too bad "It's a Small World" was closed for renovations...

Here we are on Splash Mountain. I'm in my "happy place", Sam is crying, Gabe is hiding, and Daniel and Carly are loving it!

Daniel and Carly driving in Autopia... Carly thought the cars weren't fast enough.

I remember going to Knott's when I was little and panning for gold. I had my little vile full of gold flakes for years... these days they just get 5-6 tiny "nuggets".

It was a very welcome vacation: The cruise was relaxing and luxurious, and the parks were exciting and tiring... Can we do it again next year?