Cole gives Claire a little piggy back ride!
Mark went out and bought a roof rake for the ice dam problem at Mom and Dad's.
I'd say it works pretty well! The snowman could use a little trim also!
An evening at the Badlands!
We had a laugh over Sherry and Shan's texting. They were texting each other, unaware they were both at the Badlands!
Claire loves climbing the big rocks near the entrance!
Cole decides to join in on the fun!
Christmas Eve at Great Grandma and Grandpa's home.
After church, Mom whips up gravy to go with her pork roast, mashed potatoes, creamed green beans, with cake for desert.
Punch with wine?
The dinner
Kaydra was first in line!
Claire is patiently waiting for the gift-opening!
Great family!
We'll open gifts when plates are clean!
Kaydra looks pleased!
Another happy face!
The kids take turns opening!
Dad enjoys watching the kids opening their gifts!
Mom's always got her camera or video camera in hand!
Time for the "Old" to open!
Mom gives Santa a helping hand.
Santa left something in the stockings!
Such style!
Mark was happy with his Kindle!
Great Grandma and Grandpa enjoy their great grandkids! We all missed Jayden who was in Colorado for Christmas with his Dad. Tiff and Jason were in Texas with his sister. We celebrated an "Early" Christmas a couple of weeks before.
We all got kindles for Christmas!
Following Christmas Eve gift-opening, we decided to take a trip around town to look at Christmas lights. Dad tripped on the threshhold going out the garage door (holding onto his hot chocolate), and fell flat on the driveway! Needless to say, our Christmas light trip didn't happen. Instead, we took Dad to the ER, where his dislocated thumb was reset, and he was scheduled for surgery the next day (Christmas Day) for screws to be placed in his fractured hip! Christmas Day dinner was in the Trinity dining room. We had turkey and the works!
Waiting to hear how Dad's surgery went.
It was a success! Now we begin the "Road to Recovery!"
Claire and Cole made Dad this cute card. He was so proud of it!
One last picture from Christmas Eve. Claire was a little apprehensive when Santa arrived!
Christmas dinner was a few days late since Dad had his surgery Christmas Day. Our turkey dinner was nice, but we sure missed Dad! We froze a few meals in the freezer for him to enjoy later!
Mom always buys the "Happy Birthday to Jesus" cake.
Claire and good friends Payton and Avary enjoy some "Snow Fun!"
Claire sports a new hairstyle! Love the cut!
Dad is looking good! He's now at Trinity "Rehab!"
Jerry and Mark took care of clearing away snow!
We loved gathering in this cozy room when visiting Dad.
It's New Year's Eve, and Drew volunteered to style the girls' hair. Kaydra's friend Ciera was first!
Looking beautiful, Kaydra!
Drew painted the glasses on the girls, and if that wasn't enough, she helped the girls decorate this wonderful cake the night before. I heard it took hours!
The garage was ready!
The much needed patio heater was primed!
The guests began arriving! Great to see Dawn and Lindsay!
We posed before the rest of the party arrived, as we were on our way to visit Dad. We enjoyed the sloppy joes and several appetizers before leaving though!
Taja has missed Dawn also!
We just had to tease Lindsay a little about cravings while pregnant. Congratulations Lindsay!
Claire enjoys a ping pong game with Daddy on the new table!
This is SO funny! We took Claire down to get a snack, and the vending machine took our money, dropped the candy, but the flap only opened about a half inch. We tried everything to get it out, and Sherry came up with using Dad's "Reacher" he got at the hospital. While pulling it close to the opening worked well, it took Claire to tell us "It won't fit, it's too big to go through!"
Dad has truly been our "Hero" through all of this! He has been a real trooper, with no complaining, and has done so well with the Rehab program. He can even flex new muscles!
Happy New Year's Dad! Hope 2011 is a better year!
Kaydra, Cole, and Claire made beautiful cards for Great Grandpa! He always had to have them displayed.
Mom and Dad got Claire this keyboard for Christmas. Someday Great Grandma will be Claire's piano teacher!
