Thanksgiving 2012

We gathered at Jon and Jan's home for Thanksgiving this year.  We had 23 people gathered around the table.  Justin, Anna and Luke were here from Lodi.  We had a fabulous meal with everyone contributing.  We started gnoshing at 3:00 PM and finished about 6:00!!

Welcome Baby Ava Rachel

The girls played in the playroom while we made our acquaintance with baby Ava Rachel, born November 13th, 2012.  She is adorable!  Ava has darker hair than her older sisters.  Rory is now surrounded by girls!!

Visit from Sally and Jeff

Sally and Jeff were here during the week before Thanksgiving.  We took some nostalgic drives, did some cooking and rearranged the kitchen counter space for me.  I love it!

Julia's 15h Birthday November 5, 2012

Sadie and Charlotte are helping Julia celebrate her birthday.  Julia is now looking forward to her milestone 16th birthday next year!

Charlotte and Sadie and Baby Aurora

Sadie and Charlotte like to play with the little PlaySchool Thanksgiving people on the coffee table. Charlotte has her "baby", Baby Aurora, in her front carrier.

Oct.2012 Fall Garden

I took this picture of our garden on Conference Sunday.  You can see some purple salvia that always bloom in the fall and some pretty pink Oleanders.

Lane's Visit Oct.2012

Lane paid us a visit over Conference weekend.  He came to a 40 year High School Reunion.  While he was here we watched conference and the men had a good look at Shawn's new car.  It was nice to have all of our four boys together in one place.  We got some good pictures of them with Lynn.

September 13th, 2012 Gilroy High Centennial celebration

On September 13th we attended a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Gilroy High School.  They community spent 13 million dollars to update the facilities of the school.  Check out the new gym floor! Julia sang in the Chamber choir as part of the ceremonies. (She is on the front row left!)

Scott's work at the High School.

These are pictures of some of Scott's handiwork on the campus buildings this summer.  We were proud of his involvement in the three month project in the renovation of the school.

August 2012 Family party in honor of Lane

Little Luke Aaron Lance was the star of the party.  He is three months old.  It was so nice to have a chance to visit with Lane, home from his tour of duty in Jerusalem.

August 2012 more pictures

We are gathering our backyard to enjoy Lane's visit to Gilroy!

August 2012 Julia and Jake the dog

Julia and Jake the dog pay us a visit on a sunny afternoon in August.

Trip to the beach in Pacific Grove August 2012

Last weekend we went with Jon and Jan and family in their RV to our favorite spot along the ocean, just west of Lover's Point in Pacific Grove.  Janae, Sadie, Joshua and Julia played on the beach.  Jonathan and Scott did some photography in the tide pools, and Jan, Lynn and Jean sat on the bench or by the picture window in the RV to soak up the scenery and the sea air. A friendly pelican stayed within a few feet of us for 15 minutes or so.  That was thrilling!  We had snacks and chili dogs before coming home to get ready for the 2012-2013 school year.

Scott ends his summer project August 2012

Scott was hired by a painting contractor to  work all summer at the Gilroy High School.  He painted large numbers and letters on classroom doors (102) and painted giant letters of the school logo, Mustangs.  He also painted two giant mustang horses.  He finished two days before school started.  The paint was hardly dry before he put his brushes away and  began another year at a new school, Solarsano where he works as a paraprofessional.

Sadie's 4th birthday August 2012

Sadie celebrated her 4th birthday with a party "Under the Sea" at her grandpa and grandma Christian's home in Morgan Hill.  The kids played in the water and had lots of delicious snacks.  The grownups  feasted on submarine sandwiches and fruit.  Jessica made some wonderful treats, including a beautiful cake.  Sadie is the red-head in the striped suit!

Kendra and Kaley are 16

August 2, 2012 was Kendra and Kaley's 16th birthday.  Since Kendra works at an archery shop, she already has her own bow.  So she won't be the only one with a bow, Kaley now has her own bow!  Shawn fixed up a little target area for them in the back yard using bales of straw.  Shawn treated the girls to a ride on a helicopter around the Santa Cruz area.  They loved it!