Holiday Happenings With Nana and Papa ♥

Nana insisted on 'Doing Christmas' here although we tried telling her.. the children don't need anything.. etc. I guess next year we need to be more concrete about our newly founded convictions regarding Christmas but for now, we did enjoy time with Nana and Papa. They spoiled the children as usual!

Fall Photos

Gracie with her black eye!

Snuggle Time

Ashley with her sissies

Grant's 9th Birthday~

Grant's birthday was on Nov 29th. Nana and Ben came up and shared the evening with our family. Amanda made a birthday cake (with much help! :) ) and Grant enjoyed opening the various gifts from everyone. It was a wonderful time together!

We are so blessed to have our "Little Man" in our family! He blesses us every day. ♥

Ashley and Gracie

Daddy ♥

"Granby" and "Rye-bo"

Grant's cake!

Nana holding Laurie ♥

Thanksgiving 2010

Grady worked at the Boys Home on Thanksgiving and so missed the big family dinner up in Portland. So the day after Thanksgiving we planned a dinner with wonderful friends. We enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner, prepared by the ladies potluck style. The girls made lovely placecards for each member of the families. Also we placed a bowl containing bible verses pertaining to Thanksgiving on each table. Throughout dinner Grady encouraged each person to stand as they were led to read a verse and share a testimony of what the LORD had done for them. It made the day so beautiful. The Lord so blessed our time together.. It was our favorite Thanksgiving yet!

Grace age 2~ Laura age 4 months

Hannah with Laura

Sister J with her girls

The Dons and the Dans

The Boys Table

Mandy with Laura

McDonald Family~ November 2010

Trailer Time!

After leaving the Bird's house, we returned to our friends' trailer for 2 weeks. It is a very nice trailer, 30 feet long , with a pop out. But really, when you get down to it, it is still 8 people in a travel trailer! :) Everyday things such as dishes, laundry, meals and schoolwork require much more preparation, patience and TIME. On sunny days it is much more do-able. Rainy days get a bit scary~ LOL. As I write this we have about 3 more days, Lord willing, in the trailer. Really all in all it has been good for us. We have a greater appreciation for everyday conveniences. I think we have all become closer in our relationships because of this experience. It will be nice to move into our house but also bittersweet. We will no longer have such close company with our friends once we leave. Our two families have enjoyed studying together, and sharing everyday news and happenings. In addition, our older girls have enjoyed helping with their little children as they just welcomed a new baby into their family. It has been fun for them to play 'nanny'. Also, once we leave I think our family will miss the cozy quarters which has provided an atmosphere of closeness within our family.. Home Sweet Trailer

Grace with some of our friend's children

'Snuggling' with Laura! :)

"OK sissy, enough is enough! "

Mandy and Mama snapped a few photos of Laura for her birth announcement. This is the pic we chose~

More sissy snuggles!

Brad & Stepanie's Wedding

Kelly's brother Brad got married on October 1, 2010. The girls and Kelly made dresses for the ladies in our family. That was a fun experience! :) We made matching dresses for the little girls, a nursing dress for Mom and nice dresses for Ashley and Amanda. It was very special to see Brad marry his high school sweetheart <3>

The Bride and Groom!

Cousin Dana and Gracie

Kelly's Dad Mark and Aunt MaryLou

Ryan and Grant with Grandpa

Mandy and Gracie

The wedding was set in a gorgeous vineyard near McMinnville OR


The sun was setting as the bride and groom exchanged their vows