Let's Start a New Year!!!

We look forward to 2009 with high hopes of fun, family and good times. We celebrated 5 grand children's birthdays in the last few weeks and two baptisms. Here's Kevin with "Super-Seth" on his baptism day last Friday in Medford, Oregon. We were so sad not to be there but we send our love and congratulations to Seth. He's a great kid--really fun, funny, kind, smart, talented. . . .on and on. We love him.


Kevin and Tracey's family is growing so fast. Christine is 12, Luke will be 10 tomorrow, Seth turned 8 on 12/31, Rachel will be 5 on 1/10 and Ricky will be 2 in March. Sweet family.

Memzy's Jack was baptized yesterday and it was so fun to be there and see his happy face as he came out of the water. (All pictures were taken on Emily's camera--she'll probably post) Now there's a fun kid!!! He is so kind and helpful to his mom and dad and brothers, always a good friend to everyone, cooperative, cheerful, talented, smart. We love him very much.

Isabella (Nick's) turned 5 on January 2nd and we love her too. (on the right)

Cris and I had a quiet New Years--all the grand kids were out of town so we had to find our own entertainment. Football games and shopping pretty much worked. I've seen some pretty good resolutions in the blogging world lately and won't try to compete (you know who you are:)

Let's just say

• continue positive attitude


• find joy in each day


• mock those who commit fashion errors (not you people--ordinary people on the street)


• think about maybe trying to get excited about possibly going on a diet. No commitment at this time.


• cut back on ice cream


• ramp up my technology knowledge--so much to learn.


• plan some kind of memorable event with our kids for our 40th anniversary.


• There are other resolutions---but not for posting.

OK people--let's get out there and get started!!

Christmas is a magical time.

We had such a wonderful Christmas with our loved ones near and far. Lots of memories with grandchildren and our wonderful adult kids. We miss Nick and Kevin and their families but enjoyed them at Thanksgiving. Here's a small sample of our fun times.

Little Miss Clara opening her first present--Baby Einstein DVD.
Who knew Hungry Hippo was still popular?
Liesl and Owen telling the story of the first Christmas.

Gramma gave Liesl her first big-girl doll. She was promptly names "Kelly".

The Dads (Sherod and Jason) assembling the storm trooper helmets. Four year old waiting with loaded gun.

Dad's couldn't resist trying them on. They were way cool.

Here's a great gift idea. When your kids have been married for enough years that their wedding photos are no longer on your living room wall. . . give as a Christmas gift to adoring Sons-in-law.

See--they loved it. Shed said he's going to hang it on the ceiling above their bed.

Proof that Memzy did NOT get coal for Christmas. Some people pay attention to her wish list.

Some of the group chillaxin after all the presents were opened. Watching the MoTab Christmas program.

Four warriors and a fair maiden.

The blue eyed princess.

Clara loves to sit by Papa and share her food. He loves it so much. He can't reach out to touch her and she seems to sense this and reaches out to him. What a luv-bug.

Yah--it was a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas to All

Just wanted to say thanks again for the special Christmas card. As you can see, it sits right in front of our computer screen as I blog (for reference purposes). Even Uncle Visor refers to the flow chart when reading posts. He's shy--doesn't post himself--but belly laughs often over other's posts.

Emily drew a flow chart so I can put names and pseudo-names, with faces. And they are flow up to Mary (except Landeelu of course--she would flow next to Memzy, past me and up to my brother). What a sweet family. Luckily I already know who belongs to whom in Shed's family so no flow chart needed there--another very sweet family. I guess we're all lucky to be relatives and /or blogging friends. Merry Christmas to all.

FFF-BACK TO THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT

Today I thought it would be fun/interesting to return to Sears for the first time since the big spill. I wanted to take some pictures and take a look under more favorable circumstances.

You know the old saying--"the picture doesn't do it justice". Totally true. It wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be.

Charlie's explanation of Christmas

I apologize in advance to those of you who may be sick of my weekly kids-date videos. What can I say--it's what makes the world go 'round. Charlie decided today instead of cooking or the book store he wanted to go to the "art" store, i.e. Michael's dollar section. You can't beat it. Lots of seasonal art stuff for kids. We came out of the store with 7 items for $4.83--he was stoked and so was I. He's been complaining that only mommy gets Christmas cards. None are for him. So he made himself, his family and several other people Christmas cards--put spider man stickers on as stamps and put them in my mail box with the flag up. Done deal as far as he's concerned. BTW--I mailed him his own card today. He'll probably blow a gasket when he gets it. Small pleasures for that kid.



Update on Papa/Cris/Uncle Visor: He's doing well, walking around the house a bit, getting out once a day for excitement (Leo's burgers, Taco Bell, etc.) His injuries have healed very well and he has no pain. His balance, however, leaves much to be desired. So here's the story with picture attached.

Whenever I leave to do errands or whatever, I make sure he's all settled in his lounge chair with remote, phone, snack. It's a good system and works 90% of the time. The other 10%--not so much. Last week I came home from doing an errand and as I opened the door I immediately hear, "I'm just resting" as I see him on the floor. Whaaaaa? How?????? Are you OK? "Yup, I'm OK, I just fell trying to pick up a red hot tamale off the floor". A) He's not sposed to be out of his chair while I'm gone and B) Red Hot Tamale--totally not worth it. He bent down carefully thinking, "I'll go slow and if I feel weak I won't continue". Next thing he knows he's blacked out and on the floor. The dizziness while bending over--not a good thing.

He's not hurt but now--how to get him up? We call our neighbor and she comes over--no dice, we can't get him up. We call Jason (son in law) and he leaves work and comes right over and pops him up quickly. No harm, no foul except Papa is again in a major time out. The rules are now strictly enforced--no getty outty the chair while I'm gone. Next morning--this is what we find. He must have hit his head on the cupboard on the way down. As Landeelu would say, "Crap"

In Appreciation---for you Mom

Today I have this overwhelming need to salute my mom--aka Gramma Decker. Why today? She's been having a tough time with her little midget body causing her unbearable pain. Solving the problem is ongoing as we speak and we hope for answers and solutions soon. In the meantime--talking to her on the phone is a kick because the Lortab pain meds make her sound drunk. She prefers the term "loopy" but I say drunk.

Here are a few things you should know about my Mom:
*She loves her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids a lot!!
*She knows all 100+ by name and has made at least one quilt for each, sometimes two or three, depending on their age.
*She's addicted to fabric stores and quilts.
*She a clothes horse, fashionista, shoe-aholic. When she comes to visit me we always have to ship a very large box back home with her shopping treasures.

I submit the following picture as proof of her love of style.

This picture was taken one week after I was born--1948. Who looks like that one week post giving birth? BTW--her legs still look like that. See next picture for proof.

*She loves high heels and is ticked because she's not allowed to wear them anymore. Safety first.

*She's 86 and doesn't look it or act it.

*She is ALWAYS cheerful ,positive, flexible, gracious, grateful--you get my drift.

*As a mother raising 7 kids she was strict, bossy, very noisy, creative, hard working, loyal, I could go on and on. She joined the church at age 18 and gave our family that legacy with all the blessings that go with it.

So, I salute you Mom and send my love and admiration. I want to be just like you when I grow up (maybe not as noisy). I am trying to emulate your courage and strength. Thanks for teaching me so much good stuff. (See, she's pretty cute)

Which is better--the gingerbread house itself, or the candy ?

It's gingerbread house time at our house. When our kids were little we used to make the gingerbread from scratch, and build the house. It was fun, but a lot of work. Here's the proof circa 1982

This was last year at Nick's house with half the grandkids. Fun, fun, fun.

Fast forward to this year. Last Saturday it was Riley, Jack and Charlie's turn. The loved it and did a great job. Riley has graduated from gingerbread houses to making his own homemade pumpkin pie, including the crust. Sorry there are no pictures of the pumpkin pie. Time got away from me. But we had a great day.

Today was Liesl and Owen's turn. We've come a long way baby. Boxed kit, everything included, simplify and reduce--that's my motto. Much more fun, less work, and they were thrilled.

Check out the finished product. Awesome!!!


Here's video to prove fun was had by all.