Thanksgiving 2008

Our first Thanksgiving in California as a family. We all met at our house on Friday instead of Thursday so that we could celebrate with my brother Joey and his family too. Here is Salma - isn't she a cutie!

Here are the boys - Jacob, cousin Antonio, and Levi - eating their "snowman lollipops" and playing in Jacob's room.


Here is Nana Cyndy and Uncle Joey - laughing at a funny story of Uncle Joey's (at least he thought it was!). Everyone had a good time together.


Here is Poppop Joe and Uncle Guy - everyone loves to have their picture taken!


Antonio and his Mom Ofelia - having a cuddle moment. The kids played hard together. And - there was a LOT of screaming - the three older kids were running from the "monster" Levi - who was learning to scream after all of them. They were having a blast - it was very loud - but they were having fun.

After all the kids had their jammies on - it was "jump on Uncle Joey" time!


The intent was for Levi to warm up to him a bit - but the kids weren't shy about tackling him too. Even Uncle Guy got in on it - missed that picture though!

Daddy and Levi at the table. It was a fun day - and a fun first Thanksgiving together in sunny California. We missed all of our family and friends that weren't here to share the day with us - all of those in Kansas and Texas - and our first Thanksgiving without Grandpa Jerry - Papa.

Leaves....Leaves....and More Leaves....

We are enjoying being in an older neighborhood with mature trees.......for the most part. Raking, mowing, sweeping, raking some more, mowing some more, is a constant battle. Fortunately, the leaves are ALMOST all gone from the tree. And - fortunately for me - Jim does all of the work! Here is the next Tiger Woods.....or tiger.....in the woods....

Here is our yard - with a weeks worth of leaf trappings....

Some more fun leaves.

Here is Jacob's first experience jumping in the leaves. In Wichita - our baby trees dropped about 10 leaves a piece.

More fun playing in the pile. Isn't it fun being a kid!

Church Duds - November 9, 2008

Here are the boys - getting ready for church on Sunday morning - dressed in their spiffy duds.
Jacob has a new found love of button-up shirts. He has just learned how to do buttons - and loves to wear them and button them himself. He also has several new jammies with buttons.

Levi looks like such a BIG boy in his dress shirt and jeans. He is getting so big. He can sing - well actually hum - "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "ABCs" - I know - it is the same tune. He hums it really well though - and does it when waking up in the morning, when driving in the car, while playing, etc. He also makes sounds to say "Jacob" and "Mommy" and "Daddy" - doesn't really say it - but does voice fluctuation - so you know what he is doing.

The BIG 75th Birthday Bash

On Saturday, November 1st, 2008, we celebrated my dad's 75th birthday. It was held at the club house in their retirement mobile home park. All of the residents were invited, along with all of our family and long-time friends of my dad. We played bingo and visited with many that we don't get to see very often. Oh - and my brothers got to "roast" my dad by telling funny stories - and how we all think he is pretty cool. Jacob did ask - "why is Uncle Guy talking on that thing" - he sure was enjoying the power of that mic a bit too much :)A group picture with Caleb, Joey, Aunt Carolyn, Mom and Dad, Guy, Aunt Judy, Jackie and Levi and me.

Debbie, Jackie, and Guy with my Dad. It was a very wet Saturday night - but we all braved the weather to celebrate and share with my dad.

The Williams Family - longtime friends of our family. Debbie, Jim, Nadine, and Joseph with my dad. Jim was my brother's best friend since junior high.

Here is my niece Wendy and sister Nancy - along with Holden - my Dad's first great-grandson. This was the first time he met him - along with the rest of us. Holden is almost 8 months old. I hadn't seen Wendy in 6 years - and Nancy in 3+ - it was good to see and share with them.

Here is my nephew Marty with his wife Missy and their son Holden - along with proud great grandparents - Nana and Poppop. It was Jim's first opportunity to meet Wendy and Marty - and our first chance to meet Marty's wife, Missy. I hadn't seen Marty in over 7 years. Wow - it's been so long.

Cute lil Holden Ryan Walsh. He has more hair than Levi - and is almost walking as well!

Here are my mom's sisters - Aunt Carolyn and Aunt Judy - with Carolyn's beau Larry.

There were many people that we missed in pictures - a few of which were Jim and Jacob. Also - the many, many friends that live in their community park. And - my Dad's long-time buddies who plan "Pan" (panguini) and do monthly luncheons. There were so many people to see and talk to that we see so rarely - it was hard to keep track of with whom my Dad has taken pictures.

It was great to be able to celebrate with my dad - and share how much we appreciate and feel fortunate to have been a part of his life. Our dad Rocks!