Wishing For Snow...

This is old snow, left over from over a week ago....

This is the family washing the truck in hopes that it will bring the snow! We know it's goofy, but Murphy's Law is such that if you wash your car it is sure to rain, so maybe it will work on snow too.
You see we have been hoping to get over to Toboggan Hill for a repeat of the sledding we did when we were here in March. If it doesn't snow we can't sled. The weather in Colorado can change at a moments notice too, so maybe, just maybe we will get some snow before we leave.....I'll keep you posted.

Merry Christmas from Colorado!!!

We made it to Colorado! It was very late on Tuesday night, but we made it. Our flight left Sacramento at 6pm on Tuesday. The next stop was Vegas. Our next flight to Denver was supposed to leave at 8:25pm, but was delayed until 12:40am!!!! Fortunately, we got an earlier flight out at 9:50 and finally made to Denver by 1am, Denver time. By the time we got our luggage and made the one hour drive back to Tina and Terrell's it was 3am. Whew! We were tired, but glad to be here. We slept in as much as we could yesterday and got ready for Christmas Eve. Grandma and Grandpa arrived in Denver at 6pm last night, so it was back to the airport for another pickup. No complaints here though; it's been a year since we have seen them (the longest ever) so we are just thankful they could make it in.

Waiting in Las Vegas for our plane to arrive. We have to say that this was our first time flying with Southwest and we would gladly do it again. They are friendly and as good as they can be, given the weather, about getting you to your destination on time. They are funny too....telling jokes and making the trip a little more interesting.

Bringing in the fudge....we wait all year for a piece of Grandma's fudge

Christmas Eve we dressed up and went to church with Tina and Terrell. I tried to get a picture of the church, but it was a little dark. It is a beautiful mountain church with a rock fireplace and wood beams running across the ceiling. They had a candlelight service. One thing about being in the family of God...no matter where I am, I feel at home just being with other believers.

Christmas morning!

Better late than never....

Josh left for Japan a week ago tomorrow and I am obviously behind in posting some pictures from our visit with him the two weeks he was here. He really enjoyed being back home. Each time he leaves and comes back he seems to appreciate "home" more. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? I remember going through the same thing as a young person. You don't really appreciate the ones you love until you've had an opportunity to miss them.

We gave him a camera for Christmas. You can see here he was thrilled...LOL...and so are we. We are hoping for lots of pictures from Japan.

J & J had probably one of the best times together that I as a mom have ever seen. Since Josh has been away these past 6 months, his little sister has grown up. She's the independent, driving herself around, taking college classes sister now.....and turning a few boys' heads these days too. You should have seen Josh turn into the big brother when even another guys name was mentioned....he just went into protection mode asking questions and making sure these guys are fit to be with his sister! It was sweet to watch, and they had a great time being silly, as only they can be.

Then all too soon, it was time to say goodbye. He will be stationed in Japan for a couple of years and does get some leave time, but it's still so far away and a long time in between visits.

Here we are hanging out at the airport waiting for his plane to arrive. One nice perk about being a military family is that we get to go through security to the terminal where he boards the plane and wait with him. We found that out the last time he was here...

One great result of Josh's trip home this time was that it gave him a chance to get to know Nacoya better. She thought he was pretty funny...which he is. She loved his ethnic impersonations and the goofy voices he would use here at home.

Proud Mom and Dad with our Marine

Getting ready to board the plane

One last goodbye...This one was hard...for him and us. I'm always o.k after he's gone, but getting through the goodbyes is just the pits. I think it was even harder on my sensitive husband...he's more the cryer than me anyway, and this one did him in. But, not to worry, we are all doing well now and so excited for the opportunity afforded to Josh right now. It's like David said to Josh just after we found out he was going to Japan, "Whatever God has for you son, takes you through Japan." So we can rest in confidence that God who loves him more than we ever could will keep him in His care.

We did manage to get one family picture while he was here...and doesn't he look handsome in his uniform!

Catching Up

The last couple of weeks have been very full. Josh came in for two weeks at Thanksgiving and left for Japan just Wednesday (more on that later), our home school choirs had their concert Thursday, and we threw a 16th birthday party for Nacoya. Whew! I love the holidays, but why is it that everything about the season needs to happen in such a short time and then add anything extra and it's a race for the finish line? I must sound so "Bah Humbugish". I'm not really....we love this season and do our best to soak it all up.

I'll start with Nacoya's B'day party. We had it hear at home and invited lots of friends from church and school.

A light meal to start things off.
These are the results of a game that the kids played called Bigger or Better. They had to go around the neighborhood in teams and "trade up" from the ornament we gave them to something bigger or better. The team with the best stuff won.
This picture below was from the winning group...they brought back 2 TVs, 2 tires (much to David's dismay), and an old weed eater.

Another game and some visiting

Birthday Cake!!!

Opening gifts.

Nacoya had a great time and was blessed by so many friends.
I'll be back tomorrow to update on Josh and other Christmas season happenings.

Robynn's Ravings...

I want to introduce you to my friend Robynn. We (her friends) have been trying for years to get her to "publish" herself. Well, the wait is over....she started a blog! She is one of the most articulate and funny writers I have ever met, but nonetheless able to speak at the heart of a matter. Welcome Robynn to the world of blogging! Love you!