Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Keystone skating and chocolate






















The gang of kids, Big daddy's sister Sharon's girls Melynda, Jessica and Annette.







Henc with Asia and Drew







Jessica, Melynda, Tisha, Dianne(another big daddy sister) and Annette
The Keystone chocolate made me look for these pictures from 2 years ago. Our usual tradition for Christmas is to go iceskating in Keystone and then back down to my parents for dinner. Last year it was a blizzard and this year we wanted to take the Veldkamps to the mountains on Friday.







Our special adopting buddies come for a visit

Our best picture of the gang at our last stop. Beau Jo's for lunch.
Just try and get a good picture of the gang!




Jade's first night in her bed that her dad made her



Asia and Keisha sleep on the floor. Asia is 3 days older. They got her in Russia in Feb and we got Asia in April of 2004.
Way back when we were supposed to adopt from Latvia, we met these folks. They ended up going to Russia and you know our story! I made their flight plans to San Antonia and made sure they came and visited us as a layover. So, Christmas night the girls and I picked them up at the airport. The next day I subjected poor Denise to go to Crate and Barrell with me to stand in line for some really cute bowls that match my kitchen! We then loaded the vehicle with all 10 (boys rode in the trunk) and went for a mountain drive. The kids were maxing out at about Georgetown, so that is where we stopped! I really wanted to take them to Keystone lodge and show them the chocolate display...but hey you can only fit so much in a day! We then went to Beau Jos and waited for an extremely long time (6 hungry cranky kids amplified this!) for our Pizza. Then had them at the airport by 5pm for their flight. It was great to see them again after 6 years!




A pose at xmas just like her brother's


Here is my aunt and uncle's great picture of their 40th anniversary in Cabo. My mom's brother.


OK, here is the Denver version...we were cracking up to actually get a picture of my dad hugging my mom! What an accomplishment!

On my parent's holiday card it said it was an old man and his wife of 45 years, so here is my picture of that! And hey he is hugging her!

Christmas dinner was brined Turkey, riced potatoes, corn, whiskey glazed carrots, stuffing, salad and gravy.



xmas eve

A Deedee(what Jade named her blanket) ride
Part of the gang, look at Shannon with Cole!

Asia grabs Wyatt to get him in the picture. Drew is still mad at me for pinching him! He was being a beast and rudely mimicking everything I was saying so he got it!


Miles and Shelby with Alexa




A bunch of kids for the smorgasborg. Mom's meatballs were yummy.



Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The years family picture in color


Here is our gang in full color out at Steve and Twyla's. If it was a clear day, you would see Pike's peak behind us.

the 4some pictures and Gma Raz dresses

Gma Raz got these for them, aren't they cute!




They turned out pretty good....considering....!

What happens if you lock big Stitch kitty in your room


They cleaned it up and cleaned the carpet! Stitch loves to sleep with Jade.

Caden's party and my cuz




Look at Cassi, after Todd threw her in


Throwing foam blocks at Todd, in the pit














Jadie swingin'




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It was a great time at Caden's BD party. Great to see my cuz and his gang again.


















Chinese school party






Look they really are learning something at Chinese school!

The Lion,. witch and wardrobe



















Drew was a bad wolf in this stage production. Remind me not to volunteer to do makeup next time!