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Sledding in Welches

A couple days after Christmas we went with my sister, Sarah and her family, and Nana and Papa up to the mountian to sled. The nicest part is that the snow level was so low we didn't have to go very far. We actually only went just outside of Welches. We just went to a road that wasn't being traveled, found a hill and made our runs. We had a really good time. Kaden loved watching the snow fall.

Kayla Bug

Katrina and Ben

Kaden sledding with mom

Tim and Katrina

Papa takes a break and Kaden gets . . . well . . . . really comfortable. I am not sure I have ever seen him fall asleep sitting up before. :o)

Makayla couldn't get enough sledding. She and Michael had a blast together.

Even Zoey took a turn on the sled. She rode all the way to the bottom. It was very funny.

Christmas 2007

The Christmas Marathon began at 10AM on Christmas Eve.

We joined most of Michael's family at his sister, Elizabeth's house for brunch. We enjoyed some great food, exchanged gifts and had a White Elephant gift exchange. I came home with a box full of cookbooks and Michael got himself some nice new (used of course) candles. We even went home with one extra White Elephant gift cause someone didn't want theirs. That's ok though, we gave it to my mom for Christmas. :o) Don't worry, she really liked it.

We then headed on to the next stop, Nana and Papa's. We arrived about 3:30PM and the festivities had already began. There were plenty of people and an equal amount of food. We filled up our plates and joined the everyone else. After eating we all gathered to read the Christmas Story and sing some Christmas Carols. And then the fun began!! Presents for everyone. There were 9 kids and 10 adults so it took a little while to open the gifts. And of course the kids wanted all their toys out of the packages too. It wasn't as crazy as one might think. We really had a good time.

Michael had to work Christmas Day this year. We had stayed the night at my parents (Nana and Papa) so when Michael got up to go to work we all got up to see what Santa had brought. After dad (Michael) left to go to work the kids finished their stockings and helped Nana and Papa with their stockings.
After opening a few things we got in the car and went to Sarah and Tim's house to see what Santa had brought them. We stayed and played for a while and then headed to Jason and Mindee's. They weren't home and we didn't want Michael to feel left out on Christams day so we went to visit him at the firestation next. . . . . . . Did I mention we left the house in our JAMMIES!!! I think he was a little embarassed. But the other guys at the station thought it was great.

Christmas at Jason and Mindee's

So. . . . after all that running around we went to Christmas dinner at Michael's parents house at 4:00PM. The kids and I were only there long enough to eat and then we were off again!!! We had dinner at the firestation at 6:00PM. It was a very busy night at the firestation so dinner wasn't really until about 8:00PM and shortly after the guys were off to another call, so the kids and I went home to go to bed.


Christmas Morning for our family was really the day after Christmas. Wednesday we finally had Christmas for "our" family. On the Third Day of Christmas. . . . . we went home after Michael got off work and Santa had come to our house too!! We walked in to wonderful things under our tree.

Makayla walking in the front door when we got home.

We spent a good portion of the day opening presents. It was fun to open each one and let the kids play before opening another. Makayla wanted to open everyone's gifts and really enjoyed what she got. She got her Island Princess Barbie she told Santa about so she was pretty pleased.

And on the Fourth day. . . . . well we didn't get any rest but that's for another blog update.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

Michael's Birthday

Michael turned 33 this year. We celebrated with "The Doty's" at Mema and Papa's house. Bria and Sarah celebrated their birthday's too.

December Birthday's! Mema and Papa made each birthday person what ever desert they wanted. Makayla helps dad blow out the candles.

Silly Boy

Kaden is so funny!! He is almost 6 months old now, Oh this is such a great stage in his life. He is trying so hard to be mobile but he has it all backwards. When you put him on his belly he looks like he is swimming on air. It is so funny to watch. He doesn't mind a bit that he is on his belly but he can get so much further on his back.

So, you put Kaden on his back and he inches across the floor. He uses his head and legs, it is so funny!! I will have to upload a video.

This boy loves to be upside down!

Storybook Land

Michael and I went with my parents (Nana DJ & Papa Dave) to Storybook Land on Saturday. It's the greatest thing. Run entirely by volunteers, they transform one of the out buildings at the Linn County Expo Center into a Winter Wonderland, filled with trees and scenes from children's stories. Some are holiday related, others just treasured favorites. At the end of your walk through Storybook Land, you'll find Santa waiting to hear your little one's Christmas wish and send them on their way with a candy cane. And it's all free!! You even get to take your own picture of your kid on Santa's lap so that you don't have to spend a small fortune for this memory.

The Wizard of Oz

Snow White

Chilly Willy

Nativity "Christmas Story"

We weren't sure if Makayla would actually go to see Santa this year but she did great. I think it helped that we had been at the mall the day before and she was able to look at Santa and watch other kids go see him. Then she had a day to prepare herself for what she wanted to say to him and what it would be like.

Kaden was awake to enjoy most of Storybook Land but feel asleep just before meeting Santa.

With all the pretty trees and lights we thought it would be a good setting for a family picture. .. . . . well Kaden got a hold of Makayla's hair and that was the end of "happy" moments.