Florida....Here we come!

Oh I wish we were MOVING there, but it's ok...we are going to spend 4 glorious days in Orlando and Tampa for the Eagles concert this weekend. It's a short trip, but it will be nice and warm! I'm so excited! Had to go get a new "concert" outfit...:-) I got Robb one too!
Are we a little bit excited......oh yeah....

Family time with Grandpa and the Hoeslis'

Look at this sweet precious baby!

Max and me

GrammaTina loves her boys

Ryan and his shower curtain......(joke between his mom and him)

Shannon and sweet baby Owen

Shannon and family and Grandpa. We had a great time visiting with my dad at his house with Shannon and Shane and the boys.

Wanna bite of my birthday cake?

Oh what fun it was to watch this beautiful baby boy enjoy his first birthday! We got there on Friday and the party was on! I do believe he liked the walk-behind toy we got him! He is now walking all over the place! Kelly, the homemade touches were really wonderful...homemade birthday hat, homemade banner, homemade delicious chocolate cake....it was a perfect day!

A Poem for my Children

Me and my kids

I don't know what comes over me sometimes.....

Driving home from Church I got the strongest impression to write this poem about my kids. I think of them often and love them so much. They will never know just how much. Here it is:

My Children’s Hands

I had 3 children born to me who were perfect in my eyes
Each one had a pair of glorious hands and within them much beauty lies
For each child is so different and unique as they can be
These tiny hands that now are grown; here’s what their mother’s eyes see:

Shannon’s hands once left tiny fingerprints on the walls and so delicate were they
I loved each tiny hand when they wrapped around my neck as she’d say:
I love you mommy or good night or read me a story for bed
And after the story and being tucked in, she would lie down her sweet head.

As the years grew on, those hands did grow and many things did they do
Like swimming and diving and playing the flute, just to name a few
Her hands are now helping hands as she studies as a nurse to be
And wipes away the tears of her own children as they climb upon her knee

She lovingly labors and cleans her house with those hands that once were so small
She softly touches the face of her husband and catches the baby before he falls
These wonderful hands serve many purposes but the most important of these
Is that her hands show love to her family and friends; that’s what her mother sees.

Kelly’s hands look much like her mom’s; a little short and stubby
When she was small those little hands were actually quite chubby

One of her hands withholds a scar when she was warned not to touch
The heat of the curling iron burned that little hand and oh it hurt her so much
It hurt her mom more and both did cry; a lesson they both did learn
Oh if I could be always near to touch those hands her mother’s heart does yearn

These hands also are very talented and quite the flute player was she
Playing alongside her older sister entertaining us as much as can be
Her hands had a knack for doing hair or putting on a fashion show
These talents increased year by year as this daughter did grow

These hands work hard as she labors to make baby food and cloth diapers she uses
Of shirking her work or being lazy none dare accuses!
Her hands serve her own family who she loves with all her heart
Raising her children in the gospel; they have a very good start

Ryan’s small hands loved legos, cars and balls
They reached for his mom whenever he was hurt or would fall
These curious hands loved pictures and drawing
Upon walls and furniture he would write
His mom was not happy with the artwork he made; oh what a sight!

But as Ryan’s hands grew bigger with each passing year
He’s going to grow up and move out was his mother’s biggest fear
Hands with musical talent as he strummed the guitar with his fingers
Made his mother always proud and his family wanting to linger

These hands were also athletic and strong and many interests had he
From throwing a football and basketball to skateboarding endlessly
The hands once so small are now a man’s hands
And humble work do they do
Earning a living but still having fun that’s what his hands do

Today these hands do electrical work
Again he makes his mom proud
My son I am so happy with you I want to shout it out loud

My three children, I love you and know that I always will
Your hands have been blessings to me
Back then, now and forever….still.

Christmas with FAMILY

Melina opening her gift. We love you Melina!


Amy
We had a short, but wonderful dinner with Amy at Izzy's in Portland. We love you Amy!



Susie and Tina
We had Christmas dinner at Rus and Susies..it was so delicious! Thanks guys! We love you!



Robb and grandkids, Jo and Adryan


Robb, kids and grandkids


Terra, Robb, Josh and Jake


Rus, Mom and Robb


Robb and Mom


Tina and Mom


Mom opening her present

We went to see my mom a few days before Christmas to share her birthday and give her a Christmas present. We had a great time with her and Phyllis and Bob and Judy! We played games every night and had lots of laughs and good food! Thanks for having us!

We spent Christmas with Robb's family in Oregon. The grandkids are so wonderful! We saw each and every one of them! Time spent with grandbabies is so precious! Our time with them is far too little. We spent some time with Rus and Susie too! They are always fun! We love you all!

Kelly and kids come to town!

Kelly decided to come visit with the kids. Jeff had to work. We sure enjoyed their visit! We went to Ikea one day and also celebrated Christmas a little early. Thanks Kelly for braving the drive by yourself. Please come back soon! I love you!


Mushka and Dot


Robb and Lena


Lena and Simon in matching jammies


Lena and the snowman


Lena, eating the fruits of our labors on the gingerbread house


GrammaTina and Simon

It's always good when the grandbabies come!

Visit from Jenny

Jenny came to visit from England where she is currently stationed in the Air Force. We had so much fun with her! We celebrated Christmas early with her and went to the Metropolitian Museum of Art via train and subway! Here are some highlights of her visit...




We love you Jenny. Come back soon.