Christmas Time!

Christmas Eve at Grandma Barb's!!

Laura was so excited to have her open the two potholders that she crocheted!

 

Cocoa time!

..and dessert of course!

Thank you Grandma for the Columbia jackets!!! <3 p="">

Exploring in the Santiam

Our olders love exploring the great outdoors together!

The trail followed an old wagon trail in the Oregon Wilderness!

A quote, describing the difficult passing through the treacherous pass

Sounds like they had such a fun time together! Blessed to be their mama!

We are so grateful for our crew! 

Thanksgiving 2017

The girls prepare the relish trays!

Mandy's lovely gluten free dinner rolls and Grace's Carmel Pecan cake!

Grace made this delicious cake all by herself!

Grandma Bonnie (Grady's mom) had brought along a powdered sugar shaker which she let Grace to use to finish her cake

Our strapping young men

Mandy and Grandma Bonnie enjoy playing a duet

Ashley joins in too

Grace & Grant's turn!

Best friends!

All set for dinner!

Grace helps with the appetizers

Nana, Ben, Grandma Bonnie and the little girls dish up and start the yummy meal. We all pitched in: We enjoyed turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, cranberries, salad, rolls, jello salad and yummy dessert

Laura, Grandma B & Ash

Later we all enjoyed playing and singing together

It was *such* a blessed Thanksgiving weekend...

Grant's 16th Birthday at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum!!

We enjoyed an amazing adventure at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon to celebrate our amazing Grant William McDonald's 16th birthday!

My three guys!

Grant checks out a replica designed by DaVinci

Watching a movie about the amazing Spruce Goose!

Designer Howard Hughes

Had to take this pic for obvious reasons! ;-)

Taking a break! Mama is so tired these days!

Too much fun in the gift shop!

Heading over to the Space Museum

Model of the first lunar module to land on the moon-called 'The Eagle'

Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the Moon. The first steps were taken by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969

Mission Control!

Blackbird SR 71

The boys wanted their photo taken under this monument erected in dedication to the boy scouts. They wish their lives to reflect what this statement states. They are such pure and amazing young men.

On the way home, we enjoyed the Christmas lights in downtown McMinnville!

Ok, where has the time gone.. where did our little binky-boy go?????? :-)

Back at home, Grandma was in town for Thanksgiving and came to join us in the festivities!

Grant has had a very maturing sort of year. His weeks of being viciously ill with mononucleosis and then to be given the responsibility to take care of his entire family for 6 weeks in Belize while still recovering, sans Dad & Ryan in the midst of a lot of work and trials.. really tested and proved his character. He rose to the challenges and responsibility like a man.

This year he has, on his own quietly established the habit of reading and studying his bible.. and his character really reflects how he has taken his faith in God much more seriously. He's really grown up this year and it has shown us what a man of honor and responsibility he has become. We are so proud of this amazing young man. We are honored and humbled to be his parents. Love you so much Buddy!!!!!