Raisins anyone?

We got a tub of chocolate raisins from Grandma Collins a week ago and the kids just loved them. So much that we would find Gavin with a hand full. So we moved them to the back of the counter. He still got to them. We moved them to the pantry, he still got to them. So we moved them to the top of the refrigerator, although we never caught him, he would still get to them. We would just find the chair over by the counter. We could only imagine him standing on the counter and getting them off the fridge.

First Week of January

Well the first week of the year started off with a bang. Both Mark and Kami came down with a cold/sinus illness this week and have had no energy for anything. We only have a few things to add. Gavin is officially a Sunbeam at church, which for those who have no idea this means that he goes to a Sunday school class and is no longer in the Nursery. We signed Tristan up for baseball. I don't think he has any idea what that means yet. Allyson does not want to play baseball, "that is for boys". She wants to take dance lessons, so needless to say we will be signing her up as soon as we can find a beginner dance class.

New Years Eve

We had a very busy day. We first went to Great Grandpa and Little Grandma Reafsnyder's house (Kami's Grandparents). Great Aunt Letha was there. We had lunch and even dad showed up even though he was working. We slept all the way home.

Later that night we went to the Tanner's for our annual New Years Eve party. Unlike past years all three kids made it to Midnight. Mom and Dad played bowling on the WII. Mom hit her head on the Patio at the Tanner's (don't ask). At Midnight we counted down and set of some noise makers. Then we went home and went right to bed. We even slept in in the morning.


I know that this is really late and have no pictures at this time. I will be posting more later.

Christmas Day 2008

As a family we started a tradition of dad turning on the Lights and starting a fire before we go down the hall. Every one meets in mom and dads room first. Well this year Tristan decides that he wants to see what Santa brought first. He came back to the room and was so excited about what he saw. He wanted so bad to tell the other two. Well mom and dad kept telling him that we would call Santa to come and take it back if he said anything. He did not care and out of the side of his month said "Bikes". I don't think they heard and he was relieved that he said it. So no harm no foul. So we get to the tree and they see all the stuff sent from Grandma Sue in Texas and their Bikes and Gavin's scooter. It was over before it started. Good thing we have it on film so we can go back to see it.

Later we went to the Barlow breakfast where we figured that we had 46 grand kids and we were still missing 59 grand kids. It was at the Marks older brothers house. Lots of fun.

Diner was small this year at the Fisher house, One of Mark's sisters house. More food and family time and we were off to home. We did not spend any time with our new toys until the day after.


I will have to add pictures later. I just wanted to get these last post up before the end of the year. We hope the everyone has a Safe and Happy New Year!!! News Year Eve post will be on Jan 1, 2009..

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at the Collins house. The kids got lots of gifts and watched a movie. A few of the cousins we have (much less then the Barlow side) were there. We missed the 2 in Vegas this year, they were not able to make it out. Diner was great and we had more then enough food and deserts. The adults no longer exchange gifts we each bring a small gift and have a White Elephant game. This year there were I think 4 Aqua Globes, seeing a trend? We all must be lazy and kill plants. I know I have a brown thumb! Mom and Dad did get a park bench, way cool. After a long day we went home to recharge for the next day.

Tristan and Allyson turn 5!

Yes that is right Tristan and Allyson turned 5 on December 24th. Not Christmas eve. We are trying to keep them separate. The day started like any other. They got what they wanted for breakfast. Tristan wanted eggs with cheese and katsup and Allyson wanted pancakes. When Gavin told me what he wanted, his choices were eggs or pancakes, Allyson told me that he did not get to pick since it was not his birthday. I told her that although she was correct he had to eat as well. She was okay with that. Grandma Vicki came over to see us. It was cold and rainy outside so we had to play inside. We watched movies most of the morning while Mom got ready for Christmas Eve. Later that day we went to the Collins home for diner and Birthday presents and cake.

Mark's Big Day

It Happens to everyone sooner or later. Yes that is right Mark turned 40 on December 22. He handled it very well. He says that 40 is no big deal. I hung up some "40" , "Over the Hill" and a "Happy 40th Mark" sign on the garage door. He did not find my humor very funny, then he laughed about it. I received a call earlier in the day from Carolyn Bogh asking if we were going to be home that night. I told her yes and she said that she would be over after 5:30 pm. When the door bell rang I told Mark that it was for him. Not knowing what it was, he answered the door. His first reaction was that he was going to kill me. I told him that it was not from me. He thought that he knew the guy at the door but could not place him, it was Carolyn's Brother In Law Kevin from out of town. He was then handed a clip board to sign. On the paper it said "Happy Birthday Old Man, Carolyn & Michael". I though that he was going to fall over in laughter. She came in to see him and say happy Birthday. You will have to look at the pictures for what it was. I could never do it justice.

If you can not read it, it says "In loving Memory of Mark". Later that night Michael called to give me his condolences and see if I needed to have meals brought in. Mark told them that he has 5 months until Carolyn turns 40 to get back at her. Later that night being FHE I made him diner (Prime Rib, Twice baked potatoes and Veggies). Jolene brought him Brownies. All in all he said that it was a good day.