Maicee turns 6!

Maicee's class took a fieldtrip on her birthday to the Zoo and Fairytale town. I drove so Josiah could go and to be with Maicee on her special day. That evening we went to pizza with the Peoples clan and then to the Sutter Creek Ice Cream Emporium for dessert. Nanny and Papa were here from Arizona to help celebrate.

Gone Fishin'

The smallest fish we caught was 12"

We took a family vacation to the Carson River Resort where we camped and fished for a week. It was beautiful, relaxing and good family time. Dispite having colder weather than anticipated, the kids loved being outside all day and into the night. We made s'mores each night and Mike got up early each morning to fish and enjoy time alone on the river. We caught some big fish but Mike 'won' with Big Daddy measuring 25 1/2" and weighing 5.5 lbs. It took him 45 minutes and alot of skill to bring it to shore, especially considering he forgot the net that morning.

Sister Saturday

Here are just a few pics of our annual "Sister Weekend" that ended up being more like a Sister Saturday this year. We are thankful for whatever time we can have away together! As Gentry said it..."we know how to do it...Rome on Easter and Berkley on Earth Day." Can you say granola?

John Deere Tractor party

We celebrated Josiah's birthday with family - farm style. Eveything was bright yellow and John Deere green. I made a tractor cake, leaning as it was. We enjoyed 'farm fresh' food and good company. Josiah was timid with the pinata but excited once the candy fell out. He enjoyed his cousins' company and the many aunts and uncles, ama, papa, grammy, papa steve and debbie who joined us. Thank you for celebrating our son with us. What a blessing!

Josiah turns two!

Just a few pictures of Josiah's birthday - a normal Thursday but we enjoyed each others company.

End of the Year

As I look back at my blog I realize it's been 2 months since I've updated! Here are some pictures of the end of 2008. Enjoy!

Yo yo, sup' B

Ravinia's Baby Shower

Grilled Cheese and apples on Ama's porch. Doesn't get much better than that!Happy Girls

Christmas Tree hunting with Papa

Graeson, Josiah and Ava taming a log horse

Aunt Rose and Uncle Buzz

All 3 of them wanted to help cut down the tree.Good job Josiah.

Merry Christmas from the Peoples

Merry Christmas (the green way - a.k.a. the easy way!) Since so many of our favorite people are bloggers or emailers we decided to send our Christmas greeting via the internet. The great thing about this is that you can actually scroll through pictures of the happenings of our year.

Here are a few of the stats from 2008:

31: people who celebrated Josiah's first birthday - a happy and healthy milestone for him

22: team members Mike took on a mission trip to Panama

12: hours driving in the car to our family vacation to Gold Beach, Oregon

5: the age of our social and self-assured Kindergartner, Maicee Anne

11: minutes Brianne (7) spends showering each morning before heading off to 1st grade

6: times, minimum, I get into my car each day

12: units Mike has completed towards his Masters of Ministry

1: goal scored by Brianne in her last soccer game of the season for under 8's

14: consecutive fighters followed by 5 simultaneously for Mike to obtain his Black Belt in karate

3: times a week I escape to my "happy place", jazzercise ;)

2: unfortunate bucks, taken by bow, made us the fortunate recipients of a freezer full of venison

365: days a year we thank God for his grace and mercy and for the blessing of family and friends

With Love, Michael, Kaitlin, Brianne, Maicee and Josiah

Photography by Torrey James - for bookings go to torreyjamesphotography.blogspot.com

Thank you Torrey!