Snow Sandman

What do we do in Southern California when we get a hankerin' to play in the snow? We head for the closest thing we have to snow--the sand!

This was our first year making a sand snowman and in my humble opinion, it turned out pretty good. I can brag since I really didn't do anything except collect sea shells. There were lots of friends to help out -which is what made it so much fun. Some In-and-Out on the way home made it the true California experience.

P.S. For those of you who feel sorry for us, that we don't get to play in the snow, and make a REAL snowman, don't worry about us, we'll be okay. Sunny and 75 degrees in December does that to you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

It's a...

We had our ultrasound this week and after an hour and a half of trying to get a good look, the technician finally determined that it's a healthy girl! We feel like this will even things up around here and bring balance to the universe...okay, at least for us. We're thrilled!


Reactions?

Ben and I were kind of hoping for a girl and were quite pleased with ourselves when proven right.

Kate has been calling the baby "brudder" since she found out I was expecting. She really wants to be the only princess of the family. She seems okay with having a sister, though.

The boys were betting on another boy and were only disappointed to lose the "kids vs. parents battle."

We feel blessed to have another baby come into our family and to feel a sense of completion. Most likely this will be the last. (Phew!)

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Every year in November we go to Bakersfield to enjoy Thanksgiving with Ben's grandparents, his Bakersfield aunts and uncles and cousins, and with his sister, Heather and her family who also drive down every year from Sacramento. With all the fun we have talking, eating, shopping, playing, watching movies, I am most grateful to be able to spend time with Ben's grandparents, and to have them be a part of our lives, in these closing chapters of theirs. I am happy knowing that my children will have memories of their great-grandparents. Brent and Rita Richards are in their nineties, very spry, funny and loving. I think we break something every time we are at their house, but they always welcome us back with open arms. Each time I say goodbye, I hope that I will get to see them at least once more.














Here is a part of a letter I recently wrote them:

I have really enjoyed living (somewhat) close to you and seeing you on a regular basis. I am so grateful for your examples and the influence you have on me and my family. I only ever had one grandparent, my Oma in Germany, who was really part of my life. Because I have not lived near her since I was a small child, I have not had the opportunity to spend as much time with her as I would have liked. I have sweet memories of her and the time I did get to spend with her is so cherished! Sadly, she now suffers from dementia and doesn’t remember any of her loved ones or those memories we shared over the years. That is partly why I am so happy that I have had the opportunity to get to know you and to spend so much time with you!
None of my grandparents are active members of the LDS Church or any other faith, and I am continually grateful for a strong gospel heritage through Ben’s family. I often think how blessed I am, how blessed my children are to know you, and more importantly, what kind of people you are, and I hope they understand the legacy you have left for them. Thank you for the faithful lives you have lead and continue to lead. I t makes such a difference to me, to Ben, and to my children.
Love, Kirsten